INTERPOOL INC
10-Q, 1997-11-14
EQUIPMENT RENTAL & LEASING, NEC
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549



                                    FORM 10-Q

                QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997


                         Commission file number 1-11862


                                 INTERPOOL, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in the charter)

            DELAWARE                                  13-3467669
   (State or other jurisdiction of                    (I.R.S. Employer
   incorporation or organization)                     Identification Number)


211 COLLEGE ROAD EAST, PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY                         08540
   (Address of principal executive office)                         (Zip Code)


                                 (609) 452-8900
               (Registrant's telephone number including area code)



As of November 12, 1997, 27,551,728 shares of common stock, $.001 par value were
outstanding.


Indicate by check x 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 for the
past 90 days Yes x  No

<PAGE>

                        INTERPOOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                      INDEX

                                                                      Page No.
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

         Introduction to Financial Statements ...............................3

         Consolidated Balance Sheets
         September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996 ...........................4

         Consolidated Statements of Income
         For the Three Months and Nine Months ended September 30, 1997
         and 1996 ...........................................................5

         Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
         For the Nine Months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996...............6

         Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
         For the Nine Months ended September 30, 1997 .......................7

         Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements ....................8 - 10

         Management's Discussion and Analysis of
         Financial Condition and Results of Operations ................11 - 14


PART II - OTHER INFORMATION:

         Item 6:    Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K .......................15

         Signatures.........................................................16

         Exhibits ..........................................................17

<PAGE>

                         PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

                        INTERPOOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                              FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


         The condensed financial statements of Interpool, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(the "Company") included herein have been prepared by the registrant, without
audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in
financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and
regulations, although the Registrant believes that the disclosures are adequate
to make the information presented not misleading. It is suggested that these
condensed financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial
statements and the notes thereto included in the Company's latest Annual Report
on Form 10-K. These condensed financial statements reflect, in the opinion of
management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments)
necessary to present fairly the results for the interim periods. The results of
operations for such interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the
results for the full year.

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                        INTERPOOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
                                   (UNAUDITED)

                                                                                  September 30,      December 31,
                                                                                      1997              1996
                                                                                      ----              ----
    <S>                                                                             <C>              <C>
    ASSETS
CASH AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS ...........................................         $ 29,588         $ 45,333
MARKETABLE SECURITIES .....................................................           13,251           24,722
ACCOUNTS AND NOTES RECEIVABLE, less allowance of
$2,913 and $2,506, respectively ...........................................           25,570           28,818
NET INVESTMENT IN DIRECT FINANCING LEASES .................................          322,086          264,955
OTHER RECEIVABLES..........................................................           35,067           14,721
LEASING EQUIPMENT, at cost ................................................          709,781          650,734
Less--accumulated depreciation and amortization ...........................         (128,050)         (109,363)
                                                                                    ---------         ---------
LEASING EQUIPMENT, net.....................................................         581,731           541,371
OTHER ASSETS...............................................................          21,626            19,498
                                                                                   --------          --------
    TOTAL ASSETS...........................................................      $1,028,919          $939,418
                                                                                 ===========         ========

     LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES......................................         $ 22,525         $ 38,338
INCOME TAXES:
    Current ...............................................................            1,000              978
    Deferred...............................................................           13,065           14,353
                                                                                     -------         --------
                                                                                      14,065           15,331
DEFERRED INCOME ...........................................................            1,821            1,970
DEBT AND CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS:
    Due within one year ...................................................           74,254           80,831
    Due after one year.....................................................          595,439          521,873
                                                                                     -------          -------
                                                                                     669,693          602,704
COMPANY-OBLIGATED MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE
    PREFERRED SECURITIES IN SUBSIDIARY GRANTOR TRUSTS
    (holding solely junior subordinated deferrable interest
debentures of the Company)
    (75,000 shares 9 7/8% Capital Securities outstanding, liquidation
    preference $75,000)....................................................           75,000               -

MINORITY INTEREST IN EQUITY OF SUBSIDIARIES ...............................              571              529

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
    Preferred stock, par value $.001 per share; 1,000,000
      authorized, none issued at September 30, 1997.........................               -               -
  5 3/4% Cumulative Convertible Preferred stock, par value $.001 per share;
      760,054 shares authorized, 758,694 outstanding, liquidation preference
      $75,869 at December 31, 1996, none at September 30, 1997 .............               -                1
Common stock, par value $.001 per share; 100,000,000 shares
      authorized, 27,551,728 outstanding  at September 30, 1997 and
      25,953,345 at December 31, 1996......................................               28               26
   Additional paid-in capital .............................................          124,046          170,172
   Retained earnings.......................................................          119,995          109,837
   Net unrealized gain on marketable securities ...........................            1,175              510
                                                                                     -------          -------
       Total stockholders' equity..........................................          245,244          280,546
                                                                                    --------         --------
         Total liabilities and stockholders' equity........................       $1,028,919         $939,418
                                                                                  ==========         ========
</TABLE>

           The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
                  are an integral part of these balance sheets

<PAGE>

                        INTERPOOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
                                   (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                    Three Months Ended          Nine Months Ended
                                                                       September 30,             September 30,

                                                                      1997        1996           1997         1996
                                                                      ----        ----           ----         ----
<S>                                                                <C>          <C>         <C>           <C>
REVENUES....................................................       $40,962      $37,482     $118,922      $109,092

COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Lease operating and administrative expenses.................        10,292        7,866       27,987        22,385
Depreciation and amortization of leasing equipment..........         8,933        8,084       26,155        24,069
Gain on sale of leasing equipment...........................           (17)         (49)        (773)         (493)
Interest expense, net.......................................        13,280        9,745       36,008        29,826
Non-recurring charge........................................            -             -           -          2,392
                                                                  ---------    ----------   ---------       -------
                                                                    32,488       25,646       89,377        78,179
                                                                  ---------    ----------   ---------       -------

Income before provision for income taxes & extraordinary loss        8,474       11,836       29,545        30,913

Provision for income taxes..................................           550        1,950        3,700         5,500
                                                                    ------      -------      -------       -------

Income before extraordinary loss............................         7,924        9,886       25,845         25,413

Extraordinary item - loss on early retirement of debt, net of
  tax benefit of $2,150 and $2,375                                   4,550            -         4,878          -
                                                                   -------      --------     ---------     --------

NET INCOME..................................................        $3,374       $9,886      $20,967       $25,413
                                                                    ======       ======      =========     ========

Income per share before extraordinary loss and premium paid
 on redemption of preferred stock:
   Primary..................................................         $0.28        $0.33        $0.89         $0.92
   Fully diluted............................................            NA        $0.31           NA         $0.88

Extraordinary loss on retirement of debt:
   Primary..................................................        ($0.16)           -       ($0.17)            -
   Fully diluted............................................            NA            -           NA             -

Premium paid on redemption of preferred stock:
   Primary..................................................             -            -       ($0.24)            -
   Fully diluted............................................             -            -            -             -

NET INCOME PER SHARE:
   Primary..................................................         $0.12        $0.33        $0.48         $0.92
   Fully diluted............................................            NA        $0.31           NA         $0.88

WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF
SHARES OUTSTANDING (in Thousands):
    Primary.................................................        28,626       26,773       28,187        26,569
   Fully diluted............................................            NA       31,750           NA        31,504

</TABLE>

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

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                        INTERPOOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
                                   (UNAUDITED)

                                                                                          Nine Months Ended
                                                                                             September 30,
                                                                                        1997           1996
                                                                                        ----           ----
<S>                                                                                    <C>             <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income ..................................................................          $20,967         $25,413
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
Operating activities:
Extraordinary loss...........................................................            4,878             -
Non-recurring charge ........................................................               -            2,392
 Depreciation and amortization ..............................................            27,492         24,671
Gain on sale of leasing equipment ...........................................              (773)          (493)
Collections on direct financing leases ......................................            66,658         57,923
Income recognized on direct financing leases.................................           (25,321)       (21,803)
Provision for uncollectible accounts ........................................               808            556
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts and notes receivable ...............................................             2,131           (451)
Other receivables ...........................................................               628         (1,108)
Other assets and non-cash transactions.......................................            (4,117)        (2,090)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses .......................................             5,440          3,738
Income taxes payable ........................................................              810           3,706
Deferred income .............................................................             (149)            485
Minority interest in equity of subsidiaries..................................               42              34
                                                                                      ---------        ---------
Net cash provided by operating activities....................................           99,494          92,973
                                                                                       -------          ------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of leasing equipment ............................................          (70,566)         (33,141)
Proceeds from dispositions of leasing equipment..............................            4,948            6,197
Investment in direct financing leases .......................................          (96,038)         (75,707)
Investment in loan receivables ..............................................          (21,514)              -
Proceeds from (purchase of) marketable securities and other
        investing activities.................................................           (9,098)          12,960
                                                                                     ---------          -------
Net cash used for investing activities ......................................         (192,268)          (89,691)
                                                                                      --------          --------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of debt ..............................................          282,079           66,180
Payments of debt and capital lease obligations                                        (217,590)         (65,388)
Extraordinary loss on retirement of debt - cash effect......................            (3,964)             -
Proceeds from issuance of capital securities................................            73,300              -
Redemption of preferred stock................................................          (52,871)             -
Cash dividends paid..........................................................           (3,925)          (7,959)
                                                                                       --------          -------
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities.............................           77,029           (7,167)
Net (decrease) in cash and short-term investments............................          (15,745)          (3,885)
Cash and short-term investments, beginning of period.........................           45,333           40,208
Cash and short-term investments, end of period...............................          $29,588          $36,323
                                                                                       ========         ========
Supplemental schedule of non-cash financing activities:
Acquisition of  subsidiary common and preferred stock in exchange for
   Company's 5 3/4% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock...................                -           $6,892

</TABLE>

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

<PAGE>

                        INTERPOOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                  FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
                        (DOLLARS AND SHARES IN THOUSANDS)
                                   (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                     Net
                                                                                                                     Unrealized
                                         Shares Of                Shares Of             Additional                   Gain On
                                         Preferred      Par       Common       Par      Paid-in        Retained      Marketable
                                         Stock          Value     Stock        Value    Capital        Earnings      Securities
<S>                                      <C>            <C>        <C>          <C>     <C>           <C>            <C>
Balance, December 31, 1996               759            $1         25,953       $26     $170,172      $109,837       $510
    Net income....................                                                                      20,967
    Net unrealized gain on
        Marketable Securities.....                                                                                    665
    Redemption of preferred stock       (510)          (1)                               (46,154)       (6,716)
    Conversion of preferred stock       (249)                       1,597         2           (2)
    Conversion of subordinated notes                                    2                     30
    Cash Dividends declared:
        Preferred stock...........                                                                        (994)
        Common stock..............                                                                      (3,099)
                                        ------         ----        -------      -----    ---------      --------    ------

Balance, September 30, 1997                 --          --         27,552       $28       $124,046     $119,995     $1,175
                                        ======        =====        ========     =====    =========     =========    =======
</TABLE>

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

<PAGE>

                        INTERPOOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
                                   (UNAUDITED)

NOTE 1 -- NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

A. NATURE OF OPERATIONS:

       The Company and its subsidiaries conduct business principally in a single
industry segment, the leasing of intermodal dry freight standard containers,
chassis and other transportation related equipment. The Company leases its
containers principally to international container shipping lines located
throughout the world. The customers for the Company's chassis are a large number
of domestic companies, many of which are domestic subsidiaries or branches of
international shipping lines. Equipment is purchased directly or acquired
through conditional sales contracts and lease agreements, many of which qualify
as capital leases.

       The Company's accounting records are maintained in United States dollars
and the consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

B. BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION:

       The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company
and subsidiaries more than 50% owned. All significant intercompany transactions
have been eliminated.

C. LEASING EQUIPMENT:

       Effective July 1, 1997, the Company revised its estimate of the
depreciation life of chassis from 20 years to 15 years and also changed the
estimated salvage value of these chassis from one thousand two hundred dollars
($1,200) per unit to two thousand six hundred dollars ($2,600) per unit. The
effect of this change was to decrease depreciation expense by $444 for the three
months ended September 30, 1997.

D.  NET INCOME PER SHARE:

       Primary income per share before extraordinary loss and premium paid on
redemption of preferred stock is computed by deducting preferred dividends (and
in 1996, adding the non-recurring charge for cumulative dividends) from income
to arrive at income attributable to common stockholders before extraordinary
loss and premium paid on redemption of preferred stock. This amount is then
divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period,
adjusted for the dilutive effect of stock options. In 1997, the extraordinary
loss on early retirement of debt, net of tax, and the premium paid on redemption
of the 5 3/4% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock have been deducted to
arrive at primary net income per share. Shares issuable upon the conversion of
the 5 3/4% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock and the 5 1/4% Convertible
Exchangeable Subordinated Notes have been added to the number of weighted shares
outstanding and interest expense net of tax effect on the 5 1/4% Convertible
Exchangeable Subordinated Notes has been added to net income in the fully
diluted earnings per share computation for 1996. These items do not have a
significant dilutive effect for 1997. Per share amounts and common shares
outstanding have been restated to give effect to the three-for-two stock split
effected March 27, 1997 described in Note 4.

NOTE 2 -- CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

       For the nine months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, cash paid for
interest was approximately $36,160 and $31,208, respectively. Cash paid for
income taxes was approximately $2,729 and $1,785, respectively.

NOTE 3 -- OTHER CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS:

       At September 30, 1997, the Company had outstanding purchase commitments
for equipment of approximately $65,000.

       Under certain of the Company's leasing agreements, the Company, as
lessee, may be obligated to indemnify the lessor for loss, recapture or
disallowance of certain tax benefits arising from the lessor's ownership of the
equipment.

       In the second quarter of 1997 the Company recognized a successful legal
claim recovery of approximately $1,500 which is included in revenues.

       The Company is engaged in various legal proceedings from time to time
incidental to the conduct of its business. In the opinion of management, the
Company is adequately insured against the claims relating to such proceedings,
and any ultimate liability arising out of such proceedings will not have a
material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of
the Company.

NOTE 4 -- SIGNIFICANT EVENTS:

       On January 27, 1997, Interpool Capital Trust, a Delaware business
trust and special purpose entity (the "Trust"), issued in a private placement
75,000 shares of 9 7/8% Company-Obligated Mandatory Redeemable Capital
Securities with an aggregate liquidation preference of $75,000 (the "Capital
Securities") for proceeds of $75,000. Costs associated with the transaction
amounted to approximately $1,700 and were borne by the Company. Interpool owns
all the common securities of the Trust. The proceeds received by the trust from
the sale of the Capital Securities were used by the Trust to acquire $75,000 of
9 7/8% Junior Subordinated Debentures due February 15, 2027 of the Company (the
"Debentures"). The Debentures are the sole assets of the Trust. The Capital
Securities represent preferred beneficial interests in the Trust's assets.
Distributions on the Capital Securities are cumulative and payable at the annual
rate of 9 7/8% of the liquidation amount, quarterly in arrears, commencing
February 15, 1997. The Company has the option to defer payment of distributions
for an extension period of up to five years if it is in compliance with the
terms of the Capital Securities. Interest at 9 7/8% will accrue on such deferred
distributions throughout the extension period. The Capital Securities will be
subject to mandatory redemption upon repayment of the Debentures to the Trust.
The redemption price decreases from 104.975% of the liquidation preference in
2007 to 100% in 2017 and thereafter. Under certain limited circumstances, the
Company may, at its option, prepay the Debentures and redeem the Capital
Securities prior to 2007 at a prepayment price specified in the governing
instruments.

       The Company used $52,871 of net proceeds from the sale of the Debentures
to the Trust to redeem 509,964 shares of the Company's 5 3/4% Cumulative
Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Stock") on March 10, 1997 at a
redemption price of 103.675% of the liquidation value per share.

       On March 10, 1997 a total of 248,730 shares, or $24,873 in aggregate
liquidation value of the Company's 5 3/4% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock
(representing 32.78% of the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock) were
converted into a total of 1,596,446 shares (after stock split basis) of Common
Stock.

       As a result of the redemption of shares of Preferred Stock, the Company
recorded a one-time charge to retained earnings of $6,716 or 24 cents per share
on a primary basis.

       On March 12, 1997 the Company's Board of Directors announced a
three-for-two stock split, which was effective on March 27, 1997. No fractional
shares were issued in connection with the stock split. Instead, under the terms
of the stock split, the Company rounded any fractional shares to which any
stockholder was entitled as a result of the stock split up to the nearest whole
share.

       On March 27, 1997, options for the purchase of 1,498,500 shares of common
stock were granted under the Stock Option Plan at an exercise price of $15.58
per share (the fair value of the Company's common stock on the date of the
grant). These options vested on September 27, 1997 and expire ten years from the
date of the grant.

         In July and August 1997, the Company issued $225,000 of ten year notes,
comprised of $150,000 of 7.35% Notes due 2007 and $75,000 of 7.20% Notes due
2007. These Notes represent the Company's first issue of senior unsecured debt.
The net proceeds from these offerings were used to repay secured indebtedness,
to purchase equipment and for other investments. As a result of the early
retirement of secured indebtedness the Company recognized an extraordinary loss
of $4,550, net of tax benefit of $2,150.

<PAGE>

                     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

                  FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

GENERAL

         The Company generates revenues through leasing transportation
equipment, primarily intermodal dry freight standard containers and container
chassis. Most of the Company's revenues are derived from payments under
operating leases and income earned under finance leases, under which the lessee
has the right to purchase the equipment at the end of the lease term. In the
nine months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 revenues from direct financing
leases were $25.3 million (21% of revenues) and $21.8 million (20% of revenues),
respectively.

         In March 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
Statement No. 128, "Earnings per Share" which is effective for fiscal 1997. This
statement establishes accounting standards for computing and presenting earnings
per share (EPS). It replaces the presentation of primary EPS with a presentation
of basic EPS. It also requires dual presentation of basic EPS and diluted EPS
for companies with complex capital structures. For the three months ended
September 30, 1997, on a pro forma basis, under the new standard basic income
before extraordinary loss per share would have been $0.29 and diluted income per
share before extraordinary loss would have been $0.28. On a pro forma basis,
under the new standard, basic net income per share would have been $0.12 and
$0.34, and diluted net income per share would have been $0.12 and $0.31 for the
three months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively. For the nine
months ended September 30, 1997, on a pro forma basis, under the new standard,
basic income per share before extraordinary loss and premium paid on redemption
of preferred stock would have been $0.91 and diluted income per share before
extraordinary loss and premium paid on redemption of preferred stock would have
been $0.87. On a pro forma basis, under the new standard, basic net income per
share would have been $0.49 and $0.95, and diluted net income per share would
have been $0.48 and $0.89 for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996,
respectively.


THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996

REVENUES

         The Company's revenues increased to $41.0 million for the three months
ended September 30, 1997 from $37.5 million in the three months ended September
30, 1996, an increase of $3.5 million or 9%. The increase is due to increased
leasing revenues generated by an expanded container and chassis fleet size.
Revenues for the three months ended September 30, 1997 were $21.6 million for
the Interpool Limited international container division and $19.4 million for the
domestic intermodal division. This compared to $20.2 million for the Interpool
Limited international container division and $17.3 million for the domestic
intermodal division for the three months ended September 30, 1996.

LEASE OPERATING AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

         The Company's lease operating and administrative expenses increased to
$10.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 1997 from $7.9 million in
the three months ended September 30, 1996, an increase of $2.4 million. The
increase was due to higher operating costs of $1.8 million resulting from
expanded operations generating increased maintenance and repair, positioning,
commission and insurance expenses. Also an increase of $.6 million in
administrative costs resulting from both increased operations and inflation
contributed to the increase. The increased expenses were primarily incurred on
the domestic intermodal division operations.

DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION OF LEASING EQUIPMENT

          The Company's depreciation and amortization expenses increased to $8.9
million in the three months ended September 30, 1997 from $8.1 million in the
three months ended September 30, 1996, an increase of $.8 million. The increase
was due to an increased fleet size. Partially offsetting the increase was the
change in the estimated depreciable lives and salvage value for chassis
resulting in a reduction of $.4 million.

GAIN ON SALE OF LEASING EQUIPMENT

         The Company's gain on sale of leasing equipment remained essentially
the same in both the three months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996.

INTEREST EXPENSE, NET

         The Company's net interest expense increased to $13.3 million in the
three months ended September 30, 1997 from $9.7 million in the three months
ended September 30, 1996, an increase of $3.6 million. The issuance of capital
securities increased interest expense by $1.9 million. Also during the third
quarter, the issuance of $225 million of unsecured notes increased net interest
expense by $.9 million because of the excess of interest expense over interest
income until the proceeds were deployed. The remaining increase in interest
expense was due to increased financings necessary to fund capital expenditures.

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

         The Company's provision for income taxes decreased to $.6 million from
$2.0 million due to a lower effective tax rate resulting from lower taxable
income in the domestic intermodal division including higher deductible interest
expense on new borrowings in 1997 mentioned above.

INCOME BEFORE EXTRAORDINARY LOSS

         As a result of the factors described above, the Company's income before
extraordinary loss decreased to $7.9 million in the three months ended September
30, 1997 from $9.9 million in the three months ended September 30, 1996. For the
three months ended September 30, 1997 the Interpool Limited international
container division contributed $7.1 million to income before extraordinary loss
while the domestic intermodal division contributed $.8 million. This compares to
the three months ended September 30, 1996 where the Interpool Limited
international container division contributed $7.6 million to income before
extraordinary loss while the domestic intermodal division contributed $2.3
million.

          During the three months ended September 30, 1997, the Company
substantially increased its expenditures in the domestic intermodal leasing
division. This increase contributed to an increase in chassis utilization to 94%
in September 1997, from 92% in June 1997. However, the increased expenditures,
net of taxes, during the three months ended September 30, 1997 over the same
period for the prior year resulted in a reduction in income before extraordinary
item of $1,100,000 or 4 cents per share. The Company intends to continue this
increased level of expenditures through the fourth quarter of 1997.

EXTRAORDINARY LOSS

         An extraordinary loss of $4.6 million, net of tax benefit, was recorded
in the three months ended September 30, 1997. This loss resulted from the
retirement of secured debt using proceeds from the issuance of ten year
unsecured notes.


NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 COMPARED TO NINE  MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
REVENUES

         The Company's revenues increased to $118.9 million for the nine months
ended September 30, 1997 from $109.1 million in the nine months ended September
30, 1996, an increase of $9.8 million or 9%. The increase is primarily due to
increased leasing revenues generated by an expanded container and chassis fleet
size. Also contributing to the increase was a $1.5 million successful legal
claim recovery in the second quarter. Revenues for the nine months ended
September 30, 1997 were $64.1 million for the Interpool Limited international
container division and $54.8 million for the domestic intermodal division. This
compared to $59.1 million for the Interpool Limited international container
division and $50.0 million for the domestic intermodal division for the nine
months ended September 30, 1996.

LEASE OPERATING AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

         The Company's lease operating and administrative expenses increased to
$28.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 from $22.4 million in
the nine months ended September 30, 1996, an increase of $5.6 million. The
increase was due to higher lease operating expenses of $4.4 million resulting
from expanded operations generating increased maintenance and repair,
positioning, commission and insurance expenses. Also, due to expanded operations
and inflation, higher administrative costs of $1.2 million were incurred. The
increased expenses were primarily incurred in the domestic intermodal division
operations.

DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION

          The Company's depreciation and amortization expenses increased to
$26.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 1997 from $24.1 million in
the nine months ended September 30, 1996, an increase of $2.1 million. The
increase was due to an increased fleet size. Partially offsetting the increase
was the change in the estimated depreciable lives and salvage value for chassis
resulting in a reduction of expense of $.4 million.

GAIN ON SALE OF LEASING EQUIPMENT

         The Company's gain on sale of leasing equipment increased to $.8
million in the nine months ended September 30, 1997 from $.5 million in the nine
months ended September 30, 1996.

INTEREST EXPENSE, NET

         The Company's net interest expense increased to $36.0 million in the
nine months ended September 30, 1997 from $29.8 million in the nine months ended
September 30, 1996, an increase of $6.2 million. The issuance of capital
securities increased interest expense by $5.0 million. Also during the third
quarter, the issuance of $225 million of unsecured notes increased net interest
expense by $.9 million because of the excess of interest expense over interest
income until the proceeds were deployed. The remaining increase in interest
expense was due to increased financings necessary to fund capital expenditures.

NON-RECURRING CHARGE

          During the first quarter of 1996, Interpool, Inc. acquired the
minority interest in the common stock of its subsidiary, Trac Lease, Inc., and
the outstanding shares of preferred stock of Trac Lease, in exchange for
preferred stock of Interpool. Interpool now owns 100% of the equity of Trac
Lease. The acquisition of Trac Lease preferred stock and its related accrued,
cumulative dividends resulted in a non-recurring, non-cash charge in the amount
of $2.4 million. Such charge has no impact on net income per share because the
effect of unpaid dividends was included in the computation of net income per
share in prior periods.

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

         The Company's provision for income taxes decreased to $3.7 million from
$5.5 million due to a lower effective tax rate resulting from lower taxable
income in the domestic intermodal division including higher deductible interest
expense on new borrowings in 1997 mentioned above.

INCOME BEFORE EXTRAORDINARY LOSS

          As a result of the factors described above, the Company's income
before extraordinary loss increased to $25.8 million in the nine months ended
September 30, 1997 from $25.4 million in the nine months ended September 30,
1996. For the nine months ended September 30, 1997 the Interpool Limited
international container division contributed $22.2 million to income while the
domestic intermodal division contributed $3.6 million. This compares to the nine
months ended September 30, 1996 where the Interpool Limited international
container division contributed $21.5 million to income while the domestic
intermodal division contributed $6.3 million excluding the non-recurring charge
of $2.4 million mentioned above.

EXTRAORDINARY LOSS

         Extraordinary losses on the retirement of debt of $4.9 million, net of
tax benefit, were recorded in the nine months ended September 30, 1997.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

         The Company uses funds from various sources to finance the acquisition
of equipment for lease to customers. The primary funding sources are cash
provided by operations, borrowings, generally from banks, the issuance of
capital lease obligations and the sale of debt securities. In addition, the
Company generates cash from the sale of equipment being retired from the
Company's fleet. In general, the Company seeks to meet debt service requirements
from the leasing revenue generated by its equipment.

         The Company generated cash flow from operations of $99.5 million and
$93.0 million in the first nine months of 1997 and 1996, respectively, and net
cash provided (used) by financing activities was $77.0 million and $(7.2)
million for the first nine months of 1997 and 1996, respectively. The Company
has purchased the following amounts of equipment: $166.6 million for the nine
months ended September 30, 1997 and $108.8 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 1996. In July and August 1997, the Company issued $225 million of
ten year notes, comprised of $150 million of 7.35% Notes due 2007 and $75
million of 7.20% Notes due 2007. These Notes represent the Company's first
issues of senior unsecured debt. The net proceeds from these offerings were used
to repay secured indebtedness, to purchase equipment and for other investments.

       The Company has a $150.0 million revolving credit facility with a
group of commercial banks; on September 30, 1997, $57.0 million was outstanding.
The term of this facility extends until May 31, 1998 (unless the lender elects
to renew the facility) at which time a maximum of 10% of the amount then
outstanding becomes due, with the remainder becoming payable in equal monthly
installments over a five year period. In addition, as of September 30, 1997, the
Company had available lines of credit of $63.0 million under various facilities,
under which an aggregate of $19.9 million was outstanding. Interest rates under
these facilities ranged from 6.4% to 7.5%. At September 30, 1997, the Company
had total debt outstanding of $669.7 million. Subsequent to September 30, 1997
the Company has continued to incur and repay debt obligations in connection with
financing its equipment leasing activities.

         As of September 30, 1997, commitments for capital expenditures totaled
approximately $65.0 million. The Company expects to fund such capital
expenditures from the Company's operations, borrowings under its available
credit facilities and additional funds raised through the sale of its debt
securities in the private and/or public markets.

         The Company believes that cash generated by continuing operations,
together with amounts available to be borrowed under existing credit facilities
and the issuance of debt securities in the appropriate markets will be
sufficient to finance the Company's working capital needs for its existing
business, planned capital expenditures and expected debt repayments over the
next twelve months. The Company anticipates that long-term financing will
continue to be available for the purchase of equipment to expand its business in
the future. In addition, from time to time, the Company explores new sources of
capital both at the parent and subsidiary levels.

<PAGE>

                           PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

           None.

ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES

           None.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

           None.

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

           None.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

           On September 5, 1997, Interpool, Inc. and Interpool Capital Trust
           successfully consummated an exchange offer for all of the 9 7/8%
           Capital Securities of Interpool Capital Trust. Pursuant to the
           exchange offer, the entire $75,000,000 aggregate liquidation amount
           of Capital Securities were tendered prior to the expiration of the
           offer and exchanged for the same liquidation amount of Interpool
           Capital Trust's new 9 7/8% Capital Securities, which have been
           registered under the Securities Act of 1933. Interpool, Inc. also
           exchanged (i) its guarantee of cash distributions and payments on
           liquidation of Interpool Capital Trust or redemption of the Capital
           Securities for a like guarantee and (ii) all of its 9 7/8% Series A
           Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures for a like
           principal amount of its 9 7/8% Series B Junior Subordinated
           Deferrable Interest Debentures, which guarantee and Junior
           Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures have also been registered
           under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Capital Securities
           were originally issued and sold on January 27, 1997 in a transaction
           exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 as amended.

           On October 23, 1997, Interpool, Inc. filed with the Securities and
           Exchange Commission a Registration Statement on Form S-4 to register
           the exchange (the "7.35% Exchange Offer") of $1,000 principal amount
           of its outstanding 7.35% Notes due 2007, of which $150,000,000
           aggregate principal amount was issued and sold on July 29, 1997 in a
           transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933
           and is outstanding on the date hereof. The 7.35% Exchange Offer will
           commence on or about November 14, 1997. The Company expects the
           Exchange Offer to close in mid-December, 1997.

           On October 24, 1997, Interpool, Inc. filed with the Securities and
           Exchange Commission a Registration Statement on Form S-4 to register
           the exchange (the "7.20% Exchange Offer") of $1,000 principal amount
           of its outstanding 7.20% Notes due 2007, of which $75,000,000
           aggregate principal amount was issued and sold on August 5, 1997 in a
           transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933
           and is outstanding on the date hereof. The 7.20% Exchange Offer will
           commence on or about November 14, 1997. The Company expects the
           Exchange Offer to close in mid-December, 1997.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)      Exhibits:

                  1.1      Purchase Agreement between Interpool, Inc. and Smith
                           Barney Inc., as initial  purchaser, dated July 24,
                           1997 relating to the issuance of the Company's 7.35%
                            Notes due 2007 (incorporated by reference to the
                           Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 27,
                           1997)

                  1.2      Purchase Agreement between Interpool, Inc. and Smith
                           Barney Inc., as initial  purchaser, dated July 31,
                           1997 relating to the issuance of the Company's 7.20%
                            Notes due 2007

                  4.1      Indenture between Interpool, Inc. and United States
                           Trust Company of New York, as trustee, relating to
                           the issuance of the Company's 7.35% Notes due 2007,
                           dated July 29, 1997 (incorporated by reference to the
                           Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 27,
                           1997)

                  4.2      Indenture between Interpool, Inc. and United States
                           Trust Company of New York, as trustee, relating to
                           the issuance of the Company's 7.20% Notes due 2007,
                           dated August 4, 1997 (incorporated by reference to
                           the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4
                           (File No. 333-38705))

                  4.3      Registration Rights Agreement between the Company and
                           Smith Barney Inc., as initial purchaser, relating to
                           the Company's 7.35% Notes due 2007, dated July 29,
                           1997 (incorporated by reference to the Company's
                           Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 27, 1997)

                  4.4      Registration Rights Agreement between the Company and
                           Smith Barney Inc., as initial purchaser, relating to
                           the Company's 7.20% Notes due 2007, dated August 4,
                           1997 (incorporated by reference to the Company's
                           Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No.
                           333-38705))

                  99.1     Press Release dated June 19, 1997 (incorporated by
                           reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form
                           10-Q for the period ended June 30, 1997)

                  99.2     Press Release dated July 25, 1997 (incorporated by
                           reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K
                           dated July 27, 1997)

                  99.3     Press Release dated August 1, 1997 (incorporated by
                           reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K
                           dated July 29, 1997)

                  99.4     Press Release dated August 7, 1997 (incorporated by
                           reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form
                           10-Q for the period ended June 30, 1997)

                  99.5     Press Release dated September 8, 1997

                  99.6     Press Release dated September 23, 1997

                  99.7     Press Release dated November 4, 1997

                  Reports on Form 8-K:

                  (a)      Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 27, 1997

                  (b)      Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 29, 1997

<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

           Pursuant to the requirements 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.

                                             INTERPOOL, INC.

Dated:  November 14, 1997                   /S/MARTIN TUCHMAN
                                               Martin Tuchman
                                              Chief Executive Officer

Dated:  November 14, 1997                   /S/WILLIAM GEOGHAN
                                               William Geoghan
                                               Controller

<PAGE>

                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

FILED WITH INTERPOOL, INC.
REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997

EXHIBIT NO.

                  1.1      Purchase Agreement between Interpool, Inc.
                           and Smith Barney Inc., as initial
                           purchaser, dated July 24, 1997 relating to
                           the issuance of the Company's 7.35%  Notes
                           due 2007 (incorporated by reference to the
                           Company's Current Report on  Form 8-K dated
                           July 27, 1997)

                  1.2      Purchase Agreement between Interpool, Inc.
                           and Smith Barney Inc., as initial
                           purchaser, dated July 31, 1997 relating to
                           the issuance of the Company's 7.20%  Notes
                           due 2007

                  4.1      Indenture between Interpool, Inc. and United
                           States Trust Company of New  York, as
                           trustee, relating to the issuance of the
                           Company's 7.35% Notes due  2007, dated July
                           29, 1997 (incorporated by reference to the
                           Company's Current  Report on Form 8-K dated
                           July 27, 1997)

                  4.2      Indenture between Interpool, Inc. and United
                           States Trust Company of New  York, as
                           trustee, relating to the issuance of the
                           Company's 7.20% Notes due  2007, dated
                           August 4, 1997 (incorporated by reference to
                           the Company's  Registration Statement on
                           Form S-4 (File No. 333-38705))

                  4.3      Registration Rights Agreement between the
                           Company and Smith Barney Inc., as  initial
                           purchaser, relating to the Company's 7.35%
                           Notes due 2007, dated July  29, 1997
                           (incorporated by reference to the Company's
                           Current Report on Form  8-K dated July 27,
                           1997)

                  4.4      Registration Rights Agreement between the
                           Company and Smith Barney Inc., as  initial
                           purchaser, relating to the Company's 7.20%
                           Notes due 2007, dated  August 4, 1997
                           (incorporated by reference to the Company's
                           Registration  Statement on Form S-4 (File
                           No. 333-38705))

                  99.1     Press Release dated June 19, 1997 (incorporated by
                           reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form
                           10-Q for the period ended June 30, 1997)

                  99.2     Press Release dated July 25, 1997 (incorporated by
                           reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K
                           dated July 27, 1997)

                  99.3     Press Release dated August 1, 1997 (incorporated by
                           reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K
                           dated July 29, 1997)

                  99.4     Press Release dated August 7, 1997 (incorporated by
                           reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form
                           10-Q for the period ended June 30, 1997)

                  99.5     Press Release dated September 8, 1997

                  99.6     Press Release dated September 23, 1997

                  99.7     Press Release dated November 4, 1997


                                                       Exhibit 1.2
                                   $75,000,000

                              7.20% Notes due 2007

                                 Interpool, Inc.


                               PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                                           July 31, 1997

SMITH BARNEY INC.
388 Greenwich Street
New York, New York  10013

Dear Sirs:

          Interpool, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), confirms its
agreement with Smith Barney Inc. ("Smith Barney" or the "Initial Purchaser"),
with respect to the issue and sale by the Company and the purchase by the
Initial Purchaser of $75,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.20% Notes due
2007 of the Company (the "Original Securities"). The Original Securities will be
issued pursuant to an indenture, to be dated as of August 5, 1997 (the
"Indenture"), between the Company and United States Trust Company of New York,
as trustee (the "Trustee").

          The Original Securities will be entitled to the registration rights
set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement (the "Registration Rights
Agreement"), to be executed on and dated as of the Closing Time (as defined in
Section 2(b) hereof). Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company
will agree, among other things, to file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") (i) a registration statement (the "Exchange Offer
Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933
Act") relating to another series of 7.20% Notes due 2007 of the Company (the
"Exchange Securities"), to be offered in exchange for the Original Securities
(such offer to exchange being referred to as the "Exchange Offer") and/or (ii) a
shelf registration statement pursuant to Rule 415 under the 1933 Act (the "Shelf
Registration Statement") relating to the resale by certain holders of the
Original Securities. The Company will be obligated to pay certain liquidated
damages in respect of the Original Securities if the Company fails to comply
with certain provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement concerning the
filing and effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement.

          The Original Securities and the Exchange Securities are jointly
referred to as the "Securities". The Indenture, the Registration Rights
Agreement, the DTC Agreement (as hereinafter defined) and this Agreement are
hereinafter referred to collectively as the "Operative Documents."
<PAGE>

          The Company understands that the Initial Purchaser proposes to make an
offering (the "Offering") of the Original Securities on the terms and in the
manner set forth herein and agrees that the Initial Purchaser may resell,
subject to the conditions set forth herein, all or a portion of the Original
Securities to purchasers ("Subsequent Purchasers") at any time after the date of
this Agreement. The Original Securities are to be offered and sold through the
Initial Purchaser without being registered under the 1933 Act, in reliance upon
exemptions therefrom. Pursuant to the terms of the Original Securities,
investors that acquire Original Securities may resell or otherwise transfer such
Original Securities only if such Original Securities are hereafter registered
under the 1933 Act or if an exemption from the registration requirements of the
1933 Act is available (including the exemption afforded by Rule 144A ("Rule
144A") of the rules and regulations promulgated under the 1933 Act by the
Commission).

          It is understood and acknowledged that upon original issuance thereof,
and until such time as the same is no longer required under the applicable
requirements of the 1933 Act, the Original Securities shall bear the following
legend:

                  THE NOTES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER
                  THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"),
                  OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE
                  SECURITIES LAW. NEITHER THIS NOTE NOR ANY INTEREST OR
                  PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED,
                  TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN
                  THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS
                  EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION.

                  THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO
                  OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS NOTE, PRIOR TO THE DATE
                  (THE "RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE") WHICH IS TWO YEARS
                  AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE DATE HEREOF AND THE
                  LAST DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY "AFFILIATE" OF THE
                  COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS
                  NOTE) ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION
                  STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE
                  SECURITIES ACT, (C) SO LONG AS THE THIS NOTE IS ELIGIBLE FOR
                  RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT ("RULE
                  144A") TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A "QUALIFIED
                  INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A) THAT PURCHASES
                  FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED
                  INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER
                  IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS
                  AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED
                  STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES
                  ACT, (E) IN A MINIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF $100,000 TO AN
                  INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED INVESTOR" WITHIN THE MEANING OF
                  SUBPARAGRAPH (A)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE
                  SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS NOTE FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT
                  OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED
                  INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR
                  FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN
                  VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER
                  AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS UNDER
                  THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF THE COMPANY PRIOR
                  TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER (i) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE
                  (D), (E) OR (F) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF
                  COUNSEL, CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY
                  TO THE COMPANY AND (ii) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (E) TO REQUIRE THAT
                  THE TRANSFEROR DELIVER TO THE COMPANY A LETTER FROM THE
                  TRANSFEREE SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE FORM OF ANNEX A TO THE
                  OFFERING MEMORANDUM DATED JULY 31, 1997. SUCH HOLDER FURTHER
                  AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS NOTE
                  IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS
                  LEGEND.

          The Company has prepared and will deliver to the Initial Purchaser, on
the date hereof or the next succeeding day, copies of an offering memorandum
dated July 31, 1997 (the "Offering Memorandum") for use by the Initial Purchaser
in connection with its solicitation of purchases of, or offering of, the
Original Securities. "Offering Memorandum" means, with respect to any date or
time referred to in this Agreement, the offering memorandum or any amendment or
supplement thereto, including exhibits thereto and any documents incorporated
therein by reference, which has been prepared and delivered by the Company to
the Initial Purchaser in connection with its solicitation of purchases of, or
offering of, the Original Securities.

          Unless otherwise indicated, all references in this Agreement to
financial statements and schedules and other information which is "contained,"
"included" or "stated" in the Offering Memorandum (or other references of like
import) shall be deemed to mean and include all such financial statements and
schedules and other information which are incorporated by reference in the
Offering Memorandum; and all references in this Agreement to amendments or
supplements to the Offering Memorandum shall be deemed to mean and include the
filing of any document under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "1934 Act") which is incorporated by reference in the Offering Memorandum.

                  SECTION 1.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

          The Company represents and warrants to the Initial Purchaser as of the
date hereof and as of the Closing Time, and agrees with the Initial Purchaser as
follows:

          (a) The Company has not, directly or indirectly, solicited any offer
to buy or offered to sell, and will not, directly or indirectly, solicit any
offer to buy or offer to sell, in the United States or to any United States
citizen or resident, any security which is or would be integrated with the sale
of the Original Securities in a manner that would require the Original
Securities to be registered under the 1933 Act.

          (b) The Offering Memorandum does not, and at the Closing Time will
not, include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that this
representation, warranty and agreement shall not apply to statements in or
omissions from the Offering Memorandum made in reliance upon and in conformity
with information furnished to the Company in writing by or on behalf of Smith
Barney expressly for use in the Offering Memorandum.

          (c) The documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by
reference in the Offering Memorandum at the time they were or hereafter are
filed with the Commission complied or will comply in all material respects with
the requirements of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder (the "1934 Act Regulations"), and, when read together with the other
information in the Offering Memorandum, at the date of the Offering Memorandum
and at the Closing Time, do not and will not include an untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading.

          (d) The accountants who certified the financial statements and
supporting schedules included in the Offering Memorandum (by reference or
otherwise) are independent certified public accountants with respect to the
Company and its subsidiaries within the meaning of Regulation S-X under the 1933
Act.

          (e) The financial statements of the Company and its consolidated
subsidiaries, together with the related schedules and notes, included in the
Offering Memorandum (by incorporation, reference or otherwise) present fairly
the financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, at the
dates indicated and the results of operations, shareholders' equity and cash
flows of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries for the periods specified
and have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles ("GAAP") applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods
involved. The supporting schedules, if any, included in the Offering Memorandum
present fairly in accordance with GAAP the information required to be stated
therein. The summary financial information included in Offering Memorandum
presents fairly the information shown therein and has been compiled on a basis
consistent with that of the audited financial statements included in the
Offering Memorandum (by incorporation, reference or otherwise). The pro forma
financial information included in the Offering Memorandum (by incorporation,
reference or otherwise) presents fairly the information shown therein, has been
prepared in accordance with the Commission's rules and guidelines with respect
to pro forma financial information and has been properly compiled on the bases
described therein, and the assumptions used in the preparation thereof are
reasonable and the adjustments used therein are appropriate to give effect to
the transactions or circumstances referred to therein.

          (f) Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the
Offering Memorandum, except as otherwise stated therein, and except for normal
recurring dividends on the capital stock of the Company, there has not been (A)
any material adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings,
business affairs or business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries,
considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of
business, (B) any transaction entered into by the Company or any subsidiary,
other than in the ordinary course of business, that is material to the Company
and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, or (C) any dividend or
distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company on any class of
its capital stock (other than any normal dividends payable on the Company's
common stock or preferred stock).

          (g) The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and
in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has the corporate
power and authority under such laws to own, lease and operate its properties and
to conduct its business as described in the Offering Memorandum and to enter
into and perform its obligations under this Agreement; and the Company is duly
qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing
in each other jurisdiction in which it owns or leases property of a nature, or
transacts business of a type, that would make such qualification necessary,
except to the extent that the failure to so qualify or be in good standing would
not have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries,
considered as one enterprise.

          (h) Each "significant subsidiary" of the Company (as such term is
defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X) is identified on Schedule A hereto (each
a "Significant Subsidiary" and collectively, the "Significant Subsidiaries") and
is duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing
under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, and has full power and
authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct business as
described in the Offering Memorandum and is duly qualified as a foreign
corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in
which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or
leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to
qualify or to be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on
the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise; all of the
outstanding shares of capital stock of each Significant Subsidiary have been
duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and are
owned by the Company, directly or through its subsidiaries, free and clear of
any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equity;
none of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Significant Subsidiaries
was issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights arising by operation
of law, or under the charter or by-laws of any Significant Subsidiary or under
any agreement to which the Company or any Significant Subsidiary is a party. The
subsidiaries of the Company other than the Significant Subsidiaries, considered
in the aggregate as a single subsidiary, do not constitute a "significant
subsidiary" as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X.

          (i) The Company does not have any subsidiaries which are material to
its business, except to the extent that one or more of the Significant
Subsidiaries may be deemed to be so material.

          (j) (A) The Company had at the date indicated a duly authorized and
outstanding capitalization as set forth in the Offering Memorandum, (B) all of
the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company have been duly authorized
and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable, and (C) none of the
outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company was issued in violation of
the preemptive rights of any stockholder of the Company.

          (k) The Company has all requisite power and authority to execute,
deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Registration
Rights Agreement; the execution and delivery of, and the performance by the
Company of its obligations under, this Agreement and the Registration Rights
Agreement have been duly and validly authorized by the Company, and this
Agreement has been, and at the Closing Time the Registration Rights Agreement
will have been, duly executed and delivered by the Company and will constitute
valid and legally binding agreements of the Company, enforceable against the
Company in accordance with their terms, except as the enforcement hereof and
thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally or by
general equitable principles (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding
in equity or at law).

          (l) The Indenture has been duly authorized by the Company and, at the
Closing Time, will have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and will
constitute a valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the
Company in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that enforcement
thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally or by
general equitable principles (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding
in equity or at law).

          (m) The Original Securities have been duly authorized by the Company
and, at the Closing Time, will have been duly executed by the Company and, when
authenticated in the manner provided for in the Indenture and delivered against
payment therefor as described in the Offering Memorandum, will constitute valid
and binding obligations of the Company, and the Exchange Securities have been
duly authorized by the Company and, when duly executed by the Company and
authenticated in the manner provided for in the Indenture, will constitute valid
and binding obligations of the Company, in each case, enforceable against the
Company in accordance with their terms, except to the extent that enforcement
thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally or by
general equitable principles (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding
in equity or at law); and the Securities will be in the form contemplated by,
and entitled to the benefits of, the Indenture.

          (n) The Company is not, and following issuance of the Securities and
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (including the use of
proceeds of the sale of the Original Securities, as described in the Offering
Memorandum under the caption "Use of Proceeds") will not be, an "investment
company" or an entity "controlled" by an "investment company" which is required
to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940
Act").

          (o) The Operative Documents and the Securities will conform in all
material respects to the summary descriptions thereof contained in the Offering
Memorandum.

          (p) None of the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of
its charter or by-laws or is in default in the performance or observance of any
obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any contract,
indenture, deed of trust, mortgage, loan or credit agreement, note, lease or
other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is
a party or by which any of them may be bound or to which any of the property or
assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries may be subject (collectively,
"Agreements and Instruments"), except for such defaults that would not have a
material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings,
business affairs or business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries,
considered as one enterprise; the execution and delivery of the Operative
Documents by the Company, the issuance and delivery of the Securities, the
consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated in the Operative
Documents (including the use of proceeds of the sale of the Original Securities,
as described in the Offering Memorandum under the caption "Use of Proceeds") and
compliance by the Company with the terms of the Operative Documents have been
duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company and
do not and will not, whether with or without the giving of notice or passage of
time or both, conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default or a Repayment
Event (as defined below) or result in any violation of the charter or by-laws of
the Company or any subsidiary thereof, and do not and will not conflict with, or
result in a breach of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default
under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or
encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or any subsidiary thereof
under (A) any indenture, mortgage, loan agreement, note, lease or other
agreement or instrument to which the Company or any subsidiary thereof is a
party or by which it may be bound or to which any of its properties may be
subject, except for such conflicts, breaches or defaults or liens, charges or
encumbrances that would not have a material adverse effect on the condition
(financial or otherwise), earnings, business affairs or business prospects of
the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, nor will such
action result in any violation of the provisions of charter or by-laws of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries or (B) any existing applicable law, rule,
regulation, judgment, order or decree of any government, governmental
instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the
Company or any subsidiary thereof or any of their assets or properties. As used
herein, a "Repayment Event" means any event or condition which gives the holder
of any note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting
on such holder's behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or
repayment of all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries.

          (q) No filing with, or authorization, approval, consent, license,
order, registration, qualification or decree of, any court or governmental
authority or agency, other than those that have been made or obtained, is
necessary or required for the performance by the Company of its obligations
hereunder, in connection with the issuance and sale of the Securities or the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Operative Documents (except
such as may be required in connection with the registration under the 1933 Act
of the Exchange Securities in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement,
qualification of the Indenture under the 1939 Act and compliance with the
securities or Blue Sky laws of various jurisdictions).

          (r) There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation
before or by any government, governmental instrumentality or court, domestic or
foreign, now pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or
affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries which would be required to be
described in the Offering Memorandum (or a document incorporated by reference
therein) if the Offering Memorandum were a registration statement on Form S-3
under the 1933 Act (other than as disclosed therein) or which might reasonably
be expected to result in any material adverse change in the condition (financial
or otherwise), earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company
and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, or which might reasonably be
expected to materially and adversely affect the properties or assets of the
Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, or might reasonably
be expected to adversely affect the issuance of the Securities or the
consummation of the transactions contemplated in the Operative Documents; the
aggregate liability or loss, if any, resulting from the final outcome of all
pending legal or governmental proceedings to which the Company or any subsidiary
thereof is a party or which affect any of its properties that are not described
in the Offering Memorandum, including ordinary routine litigation incidental to
its business, would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect
on the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, business affairs or
business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one
enterprise.

          (s) The Company and each of its subsidiaries owns, possesses or has
obtained all material governmental licenses, permits, certificates, consents,
orders, approvals and other authorizations necessary to own or lease, as the
case may be, and to operate its properties and to carry on its business as
presently conducted, and neither the Company nor any subsidiary thereof has
received any notice of proceedings relating to revocation or modification of any
such licenses, permits, certificates, consents, orders, approvals or
authorizations that, in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable
decision, ruling or finding, could materially adversely affect the condition
(financial or otherwise), earnings, business or operations of the Company and
its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise.

          (t) Each of the Company and the Significant Subsidiaries has good and
marketable title to all property (real and personal) described in the Offering
Memorandum as being owned by it, free and clear of all liens, claims, security
interests or other encumbrances except such as (A) are described in the Offering
Memorandum, (B) are liens for taxes not yet due or (C) are neither material in
amount nor materially significant in relation to the business of the Company and
its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise; and all of the leases and
subleases material to the business of the Company and its subsidiaries
considered as one enterprise, and under which the Company or any subsidiary
thereof holds properties described in the Offering Memorandum, are in full force
and effect, and neither the Company nor any subsidiary thereof has any notice of
any material claim of any sort that has been asserted by anyone adverse to the
rights of the Company or any subsidiary thereof under any of the leases or
subleases mentioned above, or affecting or questioning the rights of such entity
to the continued possession of the leased or subleased premises and assets under
any such lease or sublease.

          (u) The Company maintains a system of internal accounting controls
sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (i) transactions are executed
in accordance with management's general or specific authorization; (ii)
transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial
statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to
maintain accountability for assets; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in
accordance with management's general or specific authorization; and (iv) the
recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at
reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any
differences.

          (v) Neither the Company nor the subsidiaries of the Company nor, to
the Company's knowledge, any employee or agent of the Company or any subsidiary
of the Company has made any payment of funds of the Company or any such
subsidiary or received or retained any funds in violation of any law, rule or
regulation, which violation would have a material adverse effect on the
condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, business or operations of the
Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise.

          (w) The Company and its subsidiaries have filed all federal, state,
local and foreign tax returns that are required to be filed or have duly
requested extensions thereof and have paid all taxes required to be paid by any
of them and any related assessments, fines or penalties, except for any such
tax, assessment, fine or penalty that is being contested in good faith and by
appropriate proceedings; and adequate charges, accruals and reserves have been
provided for in the financial statements referred to in Section 1(e) above in
respect of all federal, state, local and foreign taxes for all periods as to
which the tax liability of the Company or any of its subsidiaries has not been
finally determined or remains open to examination by applicable taxing
authorities.

          (x) No holder of any security of the Company has any right to request
or demand registration of shares of Common Stock or any other security of the
Company because of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement. Except as described in or
contemplated by the Offering Memorandum, there are no outstanding options,
warrants or other rights calling for the issuance of, and there are no
commitments, plans or arrangements to issue, any shares of capital stock of the
Company or any security convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for
capital stock of the Company.

          (y) The Company has not taken and will not take, directly or
indirectly, any action designed to, or that might be reasonably expected to,
cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of any of the
Securities.

          (z) When the Original Securities are issued and delivered pursuant to
this Agreement, such Original Securities will not be of the same class as any
security of the Company listed on a national securities exchange registered
under Section 6 of the 1934 Act or quoted in a U.S. automated interdealer
quotation system.

          (aa) None of the Company or any of its affiliates, as such term is
defined in Rule 501(b) under the 1933 Act ("Affiliates"), or any person acting
on its or any of their behalf (other than the Initial Purchaser, as to whom the
Company makes no representation) has engaged or will engage, in connection with
the offering of the Original Securities, in any form of general solicitation or
general advertising within the meaning of Rule 502(c) under the 1933 Act.

          (ab) Subject to compliance by the Initial Purchaser with the
representations and warranties set forth in Section 2 and the procedures set
forth in Section 6 hereof, except in connection with the filing of a
registration statement to effect the Exchange Offer or the filing of the Shelf
Registration Statement as contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement, it
is not necessary in connection with the offer, sale and delivery of the Original
Securities to the Initial Purchaser and to each Subsequent Purchaser in the
manner contemplated by this Agreement and the Offering Memorandum to register
the Original Securities under the 1933 Act or to qualify the Indenture under the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "1939 Act").

          (ac) None of the Company or its subsidiaries does business with the
government of Cuba or with any person located in Cuba.

          (ad) Interpool Limited is an "international business company" under
the International Business Companies Act, 1991 of Barbados.

          (ae) Except as disclosed in the documents incorporated by reference
into the Offering Memorandum, there are no business relationships or related
party transactions required to be disclosed therein by Item 404 of Regulation
S-K of the Commission.

          SECTION 2. SALE AND DELIVERY TO INITIAL PURCHASER; CLOSING.

          (a) On the basis of the representations and warranties herein
contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company
agrees to sell to the Initial Purchaser, and the Initial Purchaser agrees to
purchase from the Company, at a purchase price of 98.785% of the principal
amount thereof, $75,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Original Securities.

          (b) Payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of certificates
for the Original Securities shall be made at the office of Skadden, Arps, Slate,
Meagher & Flom LLP in New York, or at such other place as shall be agreed upon
by Smith Barney and the Company, at 9:00 a.m. New York City time on August 5,
1997, or such other time not later than ten business days after such date as
shall be agreed upon by Smith Barney and the Company (such time and date of
payment and delivery being herein called the "Closing Time").

          Payment for the Original Securities purchased by the Initial Purchaser
shall be made to the Company by wire transfer of immediately available funds to
a bank account designated by the Company, against delivery to the Initial
Purchaser of certificates for the Original Securities, if any are to be
purchased by them. Certificates for the Original Securities shall be in such
denominations and registered in such names as the Initial Purchaser may request
in writing at least one business day before the Closing Time. The certificates
representing the Original Securities which are not resold to institutional
"accredited investors" shall be registered in the name of Cede & Co. pursuant to
the representation letters of the Company to The Depository Trust Company
("DTC") relating to the approval of the Securities by DTC for "book entry"
transfer (the "DTC Agreement") and shall be made available for examination and
packaging by the Initial Purchaser in The City of New York not later than 10:00
A.M. on the last business day prior to the Closing Time.

          (c) The Initial Purchaser represents and warrants to, and agrees with,
the Company that it is a Qualified Institutional Buyer (as defined in Section
6(a)(i)) and an Institutional Accredited Investor (as defined in Section
6(a)(i)).

          SECTION 3. COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY. The Company covenants with the
Initial Purchaser as follows:

          (a) The Company, as promptly as possible, will furnish to the Initial
Purchaser, without charge, such number of copies of the Offering Memorandum and
any amendments and supplements thereto and documents incorporated by reference
therein as the Initial Purchaser may reasonably request.

          (b) The Company will promptly notify the Initial Purchaser, and
confirm such notice in writing, of (x) any filing made by the Company of
information relating to the offering of the Original Securities with any
securities exchange or any other regulatory body in the United States or any
other jurisdiction, and (y) prior to the completion of the placement of the
Original Securities by the Initial Purchaser as evidenced by a notice in writing
from the Initial Purchaser to the Company, any material change in the condition
(financial or other), business, operations, properties, net worth or results of
operations of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, or
of the happening of any event which makes any statement made in the Offering
Memorandum (as then amended or supplemented) untrue in any material respect or
which requires the making of any additions to or changes in the Offering
Memorandum (as then amended or supplemented) in order to make the statements
therein not misleading, or of the necessity to amend or supplement the Offering
Memorandum (as then amended or supplemented) to comply with any law. In such
event or if during such time any event shall occur as a result of which it is
necessary, in the reasonable opinion of the Company, its counsel, the Initial
Purchaser or counsel for the Initial Purchaser, to amend or supplement the
Offering Memorandum in order that the Offering Memorandum not include any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order
to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances
then existing, or to comply with any law, the Company will forthwith amend or
supplement the Offering Memorandum by preparing and furnishing to the Initial
Purchaser an amendment or amendments of, or a supplement or supplements to, the
Offering Memorandum (in form and substance satisfactory in the reasonable
opinion of counsel for the Initial Purchaser) so that, as so amended or
supplemented, the Offering Memorandum will not include an untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing at the time it is
delivered to a Subsequent Purchaser, not misleading, or will comply with any
such law.

          (c) The Company will advise the Initial Purchaser promptly of any
proposal to amend or supplement the Offering Memorandum and will not effect such
amendment or supplement without the consent of the Initial Purchaser (which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), except that no such consent shall
be required in connection with the filing of required reports pursuant to the
1934 Act or 1934 Act Regulations. Neither the consent of the Initial Purchaser,
nor the Initial Purchaser's delivery of any such amendment or supplement, shall
constitute a waiver of any of the conditions set forth in Section 5 hereof.

          (d) The Company shall use its best efforts, in cooperation with the
Initial Purchaser, to qualify the Securities for offering and sale under the
applicable securities laws of such jurisdictions as the Initial Purchaser may
designate and will maintain such qualifications in effect as long as required
for the sale of the Securities; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company shall not be
obligated to file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a
foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which it
is not so qualified or to subject itself to taxation in respect of doing
business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject.

          (e) For the period of three years from the date hereof, the Company
will furnish to the Initial Purchaser as soon as available, a copy of each
report of the Company mailed to shareholders or filed with any stock exchange or
regulatory body.

          (f) The Company shall take all reasonable action necessary to enable
Standard & Poor's Rating Services ("S&P") and Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
("Moody's") to provide their respective credit ratings of the Securities.

          (g) The Company will cooperate with the Initial Purchaser and use its
reasonable best efforts to permit the Original Securities to be eligible for
clearance and settlement through the facilities of DTC.

          (h) The Company will use net proceeds received by it from the sale of
the Original Securities in the manner described in the Offering Memorandum under
"Use of Proceeds."

          (i) During a period of 180 days from the date of the Offering
Memorandum, the Company will not issue, sell, contract to sell, or otherwise
dispose of any securities that are substantially similar to the Securities or
that are convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for, or otherwise
represent a right to acquire, any such securities, except in the Offering or
pursuant to the Exchange Offer or with the prior written consent of Smith
Barney.

          (j) The Company agrees to comply with all the terms and conditions of
the Registration Rights Agreement and the DTC Agreement.

          SECTION 4. PAYMENT OF EXPENSES.

          (a) EXPENSES. The Company agrees to pay the following costs and
expenses and all other costs and expenses incident to the performance by the
Company of its obligations hereunder: (i) the preparation, printing or
reproduction of the Offering Memorandum (including financial statements
thereto), and each amendment or supplement to the Offering Memorandum, this
Agreement, the other Operative Documents and such other documents as may be
required in connection with the offering, purchase, sale and delivery of the
Securities; (ii) the printing (or reproduction) and delivery (including postage,
air freight charges and charges for counting and packaging) of such copies of
the Offering Memorandum, all documents incorporated therein by reference, and
all amendments or supplements to any of them as may be reasonably requested for
use in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities; (iii) the
preparation, printing, authentication, issuance and delivery of certificates for
the Original Securities, including any stamp taxes in connection with the
original issuance and sale of the Original Securities and any charges of DTC in
connection therewith; (iv) the fees and disbursements of the Company's counsel,
accountants and other advisors, (v) rating agency fees, (vi) the qualification
of the Securities under the securities or Blue Sky laws of the several states in
accordance with the provisions of Section 3(d) hereof, including filing fees and
the reasonable fees and disbursements, if any, of counsel for the Initial
Purchaser in connection therewith and in connection with the preparation,
printing and delivery to the Initial Purchaser of the Blue Sky Survey and any
supplement thereto, (vii) the performance by the Company of its obligations
under the Registration Rights Agreement and (viii) the fees and expenses of the
Trustee, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the
Trustee.

          (b) TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT. If this Agreement is terminated by the
Initial Purchaser in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 or Section
8(a)(i) hereof, the Company shall reimburse the Initial Purchaser for all of its
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including the reasonable fees and
disbursements of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, counsel for the
Initial Purchaser.

          SECTION 5. CONDITIONS OF INITIAL PURCHASER'S OBLIGATIONS. The
obligations of the Initial Purchaser hereunder are subject to the accuracy of
the representations and warranties of the Company contained in Section 1 hereof
or in certificates of any officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
delivered pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company
of its obligations hereunder, and to the following further conditions:

          (a) ORDER OR DECREE. At the time of execution of this Agreement and at
the Closing Time, no order or decree preventing the use of the Offering
Memorandum or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any order asserting that
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are subject to the registration
requirements of the 1933 Act shall have been issued and no proceedings for that
purpose shall have been commenced or shall be pending or, to the knowledge of
the Company, be contemplated. No stop order suspending the sale of the
Securities in any jurisdiction designated by the Initial Purchaser shall have
been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been commenced or
shall be pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, shall be contemplated.

          (b) MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT. Subsequent to the effective date of this
Agreement, there shall not have occurred (i) any material adverse change, or any
development involving a prospective material adverse change, in or affecting the
condition (financial or other), business, properties, net worth, or results of
operations of the Company or any of its subsidiaries not contemplated by the
Offering Memorandum, which in the opinion of the Initial Purchaser, would
materially adversely affect the market for the Securities, or (ii) any event or
development relating to or involving the Company or any officer or director of
the Company which makes any statement made in the Offering Memorandum untrue in
any material respect or which, in the opinion of the Company and its counsel or
the Initial Purchaser and its counsel, requires the making of any addition to or
change in the Offering Memorandum in order to state a material fact required by
any law to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein not misleading, if amending or supplementing the Offering Memorandum to
reflect such event or development would, in the opinion of the Initial
Purchaser, materially adversely affect the market for the Securities.

          (c) OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR THE COMPANY. The Initial Purchaser shall
have received, at the Closing Time, the favorable opinion of Stroock & Stroock &
Lavan LLP, counsel for the Company, dated as of the Closing Time and addressed
to the Initial Purchaser, to the effect set forth in Exhibit A hereto, and to
such further effect as counsel for the Initial Purchaser may reasonably request.

          (d) OPINION OF GENERAL COUNSEL. The Initial Purchaser shall have
received, as of the Closing Time, an opinion of Arthur L. Burns, Esq., General
Counsel of the Company, dated as of the Closing Time and addressed to the
Initial Purchaser to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, and to such
further effect as counsel for the Initial Purchaser may reasonably request.

          (e) OPINION OF SPECIAL BARBADOS COUNSEL FOR INTERPOOL LIMITED. The
Initial Purchaser shall have received, as of the Closing Time, an opinion of
David King & Co., special Barbados counsel to Interpool Limited, dated as of the
Closing Time, and addressed to the Initial Purchaser to the effect set forth in
Exhibit C hereto and to such further effect as counsel for the Initial Purchaser
may reasonably request.

          (f) OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR INITIAL PURCHASER. The Initial Purchaser
shall have received, as of the Closing Time, an opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate,
Meagher & Flom LLP, counsel for the Initial Purchaser, dated as of the Closing
Time, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Initial Purchaser.
Such counsel may also state that, insofar as such opinion involves factual
matters, they have relied, to the extent they deem proper, upon certificates of
officers of the Company and its subsidiaries and certificates of public
officials.

          (g) CERTIFICATES. As of the Closing Time, there shall not have been,
since the date hereof or since the respective dates as of which information is
given in the Offering Memorandum, any material adverse change in the condition,
financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business or operations of the
Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not
arising in the ordinary course of business, and the Initial Purchaser shall have
received a certificate of the Chairman, any Vice Chairman, the Chief Executive
Officer, the President or any Vice President of the Company and of the Chief
Financial Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer or the Treasurer of the Company,
dated as of the Closing Time, to the effect that (i) there has been no such
material adverse change, (ii) the representations and warranties in Section 1
hereof were true and correct in all material respects when made and are true and
correct in all material respects with the same force and effect as though
expressly made at and as of the Closing Time, and (iii) the Company has complied
in all material respects with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its
part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing Time.

          (h) ACCOUNTANT'S COMFORT LETTERS. At the time of the execution of this
Agreement, the Initial Purchaser shall have received from Arthur Anderson LLP a
letter or letters dated such date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
to the Initial Purchaser, containing statements and information of the type
ordinarily included in accountants' "comfort letters" to initial purchasers with
respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained
in the Offering Memorandum.

          (i) BRING-DOWN COMFORT LETTERS. As of the Closing Time, the Initial
Purchaser shall have received from Arthur Anderson LLP a letter or letters,
dated as of the Closing Time, to the effect that Arthur Anderson LLP reaffirms
the statements made in its letter or letters furnished pursuant to subsection
(h) of this Section, except that the specified date referred to shall be a date
not more than three business days prior to the Closing Time.

          (j) COMPLIANCE WITH AGREEMENTS. The Company shall not have failed at
or prior to the Closing Time to have performed or complied in all material
respects with any of its agreements herein contained and required to be
performed or complied with by it hereunder at or prior to the Closing Time.

          (k) MAINTENANCE OF RATING. As of the Closing Time, the Original
Securities shall be rated at least "Ba1" by Moody's and "BB+" by S&P and the
Company shall have delivered to the Initial Purchaser a letter dated the Closing
Time, from each such rating agency, or other evidence satisfactory to the
Initial Purchaser, confirming that the Original Securities have such ratings;
and between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Time, there shall not
have occurred a downgrading in the rating assigned to the Original Securities or
any of the Company's other securities by any nationally recognized statistical
rating organization, and no such organization shall have publicly announced that
it has under surveillance or review for possible downgrading its rating of any
of the Original Securities or any of the Company's other securities.

          (l) ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS. The Company shall have furnished or caused
to be furnished to the Initial Purchaser such further certificates and documents
as the Initial Purchaser shall have reasonably requested. All such opinions,
certificates, letters and other documents will be in compliance with the
provisions hereof only if they are reasonably satisfactory in form and substance
to the Initial Purchaser and counsel for the Initial Purchaser. Any certificate
signed by any officer of the Company and delivered to the Initial Purchaser, or
to counsel for the Initial Purchaser, shall be deemed a representation and
warranty by the Company to the Initial Purchaser as to the statements made
therein.

          (m) TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT. If any condition specified in this
Section shall not have been fulfilled when and as required to be fulfilled, this
Agreement may be terminated by the Initial Purchaser by notice to the Company at
any time at or prior to the Closing Time, and such termination shall be without
liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 4 and
except that Sections 7, 8 and 9 shall survive any such termination and remain in
full force and effect.

          SECTION 6. SUBSEQUENT OFFERS AND SALES OF THE ORIGINAL SECURITIES.

          (a) OFFER AND SALE PROCEDURES. The Initial Purchaser and the Company
hereby establish and agree to observe the following procedures in connection
with the offer and sale of the Original Securities:

                    (i) OFFERS AND SALES ONLY TO INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED
               INVESTORS AND QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL Buyers. Offers and sales of
               the Original Securities will be made only by the Initial
               Purchaser or Affiliates thereof qualified to do so in the
               jurisdictions in which such offers or sales are made. Each such
               offer or sale shall only be made (A) to persons whom the offeror
               or seller reasonably believes to be qualified institutional
               buyers (as defined in Rule 144A) ("Qualified Institutional
               Buyers"), or (B) to a limited number of other institutional
               accredited investors (as such term is defined in Rule 501(a)(1),
               (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D) that the offeror or seller
               reasonably believes to be and, with respect to sales and
               deliveries, that are accredited investors ("Institutional
               Accredited Investors").

                    (ii) NO GENERAL SOLICITATION. The Original Securities will
               be offered by approaching prospective Subsequent Purchasers on an
               individual basis. No general solicitation or general advertising
               (within the meaning of Rule 502(c) under the 1933 Act) will be
               used in the United States in connection with the offering of the
               Original Securities.

                    (iii) PURCHASES BY NON-BANK FIDUCIARIES. In the case of a
               non-bank Subsequent Purchaser of an Original Security acting as a
               fiduciary for one or more third parties, in connection with an
               offer and sale to such purchaser pursuant to clause (a) above,
               each third party shall, in the judgment of the Initial Purchaser,
               be an Institutional Accredited Investor or a Qualified
               Institutional Buyer or a non-U.S. person outside the United
               States.

                    (iv) SUBSEQUENT PURCHASER NOTIFICATION. The Initial
               Purchaser will take reasonable steps to inform, and cause each of
               its U.S. Affiliates to take reasonable steps to inform, persons
               acquiring Original Securities from the Initial Purchaser or such
               affiliate, as the case may be, in the United States that the
               Original Securities (A) have not been and will not be registered
               under the 1933 Act, (B) are being sold to them without
               registration under the 1933 Act in reliance on Rule 144A or in
               accordance with another exemption from registration under the
               1933 Act, as the case may be, and (C) may not be offered, sold or
               otherwise transferred except (1) to the Company or (2) in
               accordance with (x) Rule 144A to a person whom the seller
               reasonably believes is a Qualified Institutional Buyer that is
               purchasing such Securities for its own account or for the account
               of a Qualified Institutional Buyer to whom notice is given that
               the offer, sale or transfer is being made in reliance on Rule
               144A or (y) an exemption from registration under the 1933 Act
               (including the exemptions afforded by Rule 144 or Regulation S),
               if available.

                    (v) MINIMUM AMOUNT. No sale of the Original Securities to
               any one Subsequent Purchaser who is an Institutional Accredited
               Investor will be in denominations of less than U.S. $100,000
               principal amount.

                    (vi) RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER. The transfer restrictions and
               the other provisions of the Indenture, including the legend
               required thereby, shall apply to the Original Securities except
               as otherwise agreed by the Company and the Initial Purchaser.
               Following the sale of the Original Securities by the Initial
               Purchaser to Subsequent Purchasers pursuant to the terms hereof,
               the Initial Purchaser shall not be liable or responsible to the
               Company for any losses, damages or liabilities suffered or
               incurred by the Company, including any losses, damages or
               liabilities under the 1933 Act, arising from or relating to any
               resale or transfer of any Original Security.

                    (vii) DELIVERY OF OFFERING MEMORANDUM. The Initial Purchaser
               will deliver to each purchaser of the Original Securities, in
               connection with its original distribution of the Original
               Securities, a copy of the Offering Memorandum, as amended and
               supplemented at the date of such delivery.

                  (b) COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY. The Company covenants with the
Initial Purchaser as follows:

                    (i) DUE DILIGENCE. In connection with the original
               distribution of the Original Securities, the Company agrees that,
               prior to any offer or sale of the Original Securities by the
               Initial Purchaser, the Initial Purchaser and counsel for the
               Initial Purchaser shall have the right to make reasonable
               inquiries into the business of the Company and its subsidiaries.
               The Company also agrees to provide answers to each prospective
               Subsequent Purchaser of Original Securities who so requests
               concerning the Company and its subsidiaries (to the extent that
               such information is available or can be acquired and made
               available to prospective Subsequent Purchasers without
               unreasonable effort or expense and to the extent the provision
               thereof is not prohibited by applicable law) and the terms and
               conditions of the offering of the Securities, as provided in the
               Offering Memorandum.

                    (ii) INTEGRATION. The Company agrees that it will not and
               will cause its Affiliates not to make any offer or sale of
               securities of the Company of any class if, as a result of the
               doctrine of "integration" referred to in Rule 502 under the 1933
               Act, such offer or sale would render invalid (for the purpose of
               (i) the sale of the Original Securities by the Company to the
               Initial Purchaser, (ii) the resale of the Original Securities by
               the Initial Purchaser to Subsequent Purchasers or (iii) the
               resale of the Original Securities by such Subsequent Purchasers
               to others) the exemption from the registration requirements of
               the 1933 Act provided by Section 4(2) thereof or by Rule 144A
               thereunder or otherwise.

                    (iii) RULE 144A INFORMATION. The Company agrees that, in
               order to render the Original Securities eligible for resale
               pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, while any of the
               Original Securities remain outstanding, the Company will make
               available, upon request, to any holder of Original Securities or
               prospective purchasers of Original Securities the information
               specified in Rule 144A(d)(4), unless such information is
               furnished to the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
               the 1934 Act.

                    (iv) RESTRICTION ON REPURCHASES. Until the expiration of two
               years (or such shorter period as may hereafter be referred to in
               Rule 144(k) (or similar successor rule)) after the original
               issuance of the Original Securities, the Company will not, and
               will cause its Affiliates not to, purchase or agree to purchase
               or otherwise acquire any Original Securities which are
               "restricted securities" (as such term is defined under Rule
               144(a)(3) under the 1933 Act), whether as beneficial owner or
               otherwise unless, immediately upon any such purchase, the Company
               or any Affiliate shall submit such Securities to the Trustee for
               cancellation.

          (c) RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A. The Initial Purchaser understands
that the Original Securities have not been and will not be registered under the
1933 Act and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for
the account or benefit of, U.S. persons except pursuant to an exemption from the
registration requirements of the 1933 Act. The Initial Purchaser represents and
agrees, that, except as permitted below it has offered and sold Original
Securities and will offer and sell Original Securities only in accordance with
Rule 144A under the 1933 Act or to Institutional Accredited Investors.

          The Initial Purchaser represents and agrees that it has not entered
and will not enter into any contractual arrangements with respect to the
distribution of the Original Securities, except with its affiliates or with the
prior written consent of the Company.

          SECTION 7. INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION.

          (a) INDEMNIFICATION OF INITIAL PURCHASER. The Company agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless the Initial Purchaser, each agent, employee, officer
and director of the Initial Purchaser and each person, if any, who controls any
of the foregoing persons within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or
Section 20 of the 1934 Act, and each agent, employee, officer and director of
any such controlling person (each of the foregoing, an "Initial Purchaser
Indemnified Person") from and against any and all losses, claims, damages,
liabilities and expenses (including reasonable costs of investigation) arising
out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in the Offering Memorandum or in any amendment or
supplement thereto, or arising out of or based upon any omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses arise out of or are based upon
any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission which
has been made therein or omitted therefrom in reliance upon and in conformity
with the information furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of the
Initial Purchaser expressly for use therein. The foregoing indemnity agreement
shall be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have.

          (b) ACTION AGAINST INITIAL PURCHASER; NOTIFICATION. If any action,
suit or proceeding shall be brought against an Initial Purchaser Indemnified
Person in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the Company, such
Initial Purchaser Indemnified Person shall promptly notify the Company (the
"indemnifying parties"), and such indemnifying parties shall assume the defense
thereof, including the employment of counsel and payment of all fees and
expenses. Such Initial Purchaser Indemnified Person shall have the right to
employ separate counsel in any such action, suit or proceeding and to
participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel
shall be at the expense of such Initial Purchaser Indemnified Person unless (i)
the indemnifying parties have agreed in writing to pay such fees and expenses,
(ii) the indemnifying parties have failed to assume the defense and employ
counsel, or (iii) the named parties to any such action, suit or proceeding
(including any impleaded parties) include both such Initial Purchaser
Indemnified Person and the indemnifying parties and such Initial Purchaser
Indemnified Person shall have been advised by its counsel that representation of
such indemnified party and any indemnifying party by the same counsel would be
inappropriate under applicable standards of professional conduct (whether or not
such representation by the same counsel has been proposed) due to actual or
potential differing interests between them (in which case the indemnifying party
shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action, suit or
proceeding on behalf of such Initial Purchaser Indemnified Person). It is
understood, however, that the indemnifying parties shall, in connection with any
one such action, suit or proceeding or separate but substantially similar or
related actions, suits or proceedings in the same jurisdiction arising out of
the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the reasonable fees
and expenses of only one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to any local
counsel) at any time for such Initial Purchaser Indemnified Persons, which firm
shall be designated in writing by the Initial Purchaser, and that all such fees
and expenses shall be reimbursed on a monthly basis as provided in paragraph (a)
hereof. The indemnifying parties shall not be liable for any settlement of any
such action, suit or proceeding effected without their written consent, but if
settled with such written consent, or if there be a final judgment for the
plaintiff in any such action, suit or proceeding, the indemnifying parties agree
to indemnify and hold harmless any such Initial Purchaser Indemnified Person, to
the extent provided in paragraph (a), from and against any loss, claim, damage,
liability or expense by reason of such settlement or judgment.

          (c) INDEMNIFICATION OF COMPANY, DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS AND CERTAIN
OTHER PERSONS. The Initial Purchaser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Company, its directors and officers and any person who controls the Company
within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act
(each, a "Company Indemnified Person") to the same extent as the indemnity from
the Company to the Initial Purchaser set forth in paragraph (a) hereof, but only
with respect to the information furnished in writing to the Company by or on
behalf of the Initial Purchaser expressly for use in the Offering Memorandum or
any amendment or supplement thereto. If any action, suit or proceeding shall be
brought against a Company Indemnified Person based on the Offering Memorandum,
or any amendment or supplement thereto, and in respect of which indemnity may be
sought against the Initial Purchaser pursuant to this paragraph (c), such
Initial Purchaser shall have the rights and duties given to the Company by
paragraph (b) above (except that if the Company shall have assumed the defense
thereof the Initial Purchaser shall not be required to do so, but may employ
separate counsel therein and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees
and expenses of such counsel shall be at the Initial Purchaser's expense), and
each Company Indemnified Person shall have the rights and duties given to the
Initial Purchaser by paragraph (b) above. The foregoing indemnity agreement
shall be in addition to any liability which the Initial Purchaser may otherwise
have.

          (d) CONTRIBUTION. If the indemnification provided for in this Section
7 is unavailable to an indemnified party under paragraphs (a) or (c) hereof in
respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to
therein, then an indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified
party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party
as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (i) in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the
Company on the one hand and the Initial Purchaser on the other hand from the
offering of the Original Securities, or (ii) if the allocation provided by
clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i)
above but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Initial
Purchaser on the other in connection with the statements or omissions that
resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as
any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by
the Company on the one hand and the Initial Purchaser on the other shall be
deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering
of the Original Securities (before deducting expenses) received by the Company
bear to the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Initial
Purchaser, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover page of the
Offering Memorandum. The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the
Initial Purchaser on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among
other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to
information supplied by the Company on the one hand or by the Initial Purchaser
on the other hand and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to
information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

          (e) CONTRIBUTION OF EXPENSES. The Company and the Initial Purchaser
agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this
Section 7 were determined by a pro rata allocation or by any other method of
allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred
to in paragraph (d) above. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as
a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to in
paragraph (d) above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set
forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such in-
demnified party in connection with investigating any claim or defending any such
action, suit or proceeding. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7,
the Initial Purchaser shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess
of the amount by which the total price of the Original Securities purchased by
it exceeds the amount of any damages which the Initial Purchaser has otherwise
been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or
omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation
(within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation.

          (f) PAYMENT; SURVIVAL. Any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
expenses for which an indemnified party is entitled to indemnification or
contribution under this Section 7 shall be paid by the indemnifying party to the
indemnified party as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are
incurred. The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section 7
and the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in this
Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of (i)
any investigation made by or on behalf of an Initial Purchaser Indemnified
Person or a Company Indemnified Person, (ii) acceptance of any Original
Securities and payment therefor hereunder, and (iii) any termination of this
Agreement. A successor to an Initial Purchaser Indemnified Person or to a
Company Indemnified Person shall be entitled to the benefits of the indemnity,
contribution and reimbursement agreements contained in this Section 7.

          (g) SETTLEMENT WITHOUT CONSENT. No indemnifying party shall, without
the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any
pending or threatened action, suit or proceeding in respect of which any
indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been
sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an
unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims
that are the subject matter of such action, suit or proceeding.

          SECTION 8. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT.

          (a) TERMINATION; GENERAL. The Initial Purchaser may terminate this
Agreement, by notice to the Company, at any time at or prior to the Closing Time
(i) if there has been, since the time of execution of this Agreement or since
the respective dates as of which information is given in the Offering
Memorandum, any material adverse change in the condition, financial or
otherwise, or in the earnings, business or operations or, in the reasonable
judgement of the Initial Purchaser, prospects, of the Company and its
subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the
ordinary course of business, or (ii) if there has occurred any material adverse
change in the financial markets in the United States or any outbreak of
hostilities or escalation thereof or other calamity or crisis or any change or
development involving a prospective change in national or international
political, financial or economic conditions, in each case the effect of which is
such as to make it, in the judgment of the Initial Purchaser, impracticable to
market the Original Securities or to enforce contracts for the sale of the
Original Securities, (iii) if trading in any securities of the Company has been
suspended or limited by the Commission or by the New York Stock Exchange, or if
trading generally on the New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ National Market
has been suspended or limited, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have
been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices have been required, by such exchange or
by such system or by order of the Commission, the NASD or any other governmental
authority, or (iv) if a banking moratorium has been declared by either Federal
or New York or Delaware authorities.

          (b) LIABILITIES. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this
Section, such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other
party except as provided in Section 4 hereof, and provided further that Section
7 shall survive such termination and remain in full force and effect.

          SECTION 9. EFFECTIVE DATE OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall become
effective upon the execution and delivery hereof by all the parties hereto.

          SECTION 10. INFORMATION FURNISHED BY THE INITIAL PURCHASER. The
statements set forth in the last paragraph on the cover page, in the
stabilization legend on page three and in the second, fifth, sixth and eleventh
paragraphs under the caption "Plan of Distribution" in the Offering Memorandum,
constitute the only information furnished by the Initial Purchaser as such
information is referred to in Section 1(b) and Section 7 hereof.

          SECTION 11. WAIVER OF STANDSTILL. The Initial Purchaser hereby agrees
to waive the provisions of Section 3(i) of the Purchase Agreement, dated as of
July 24, 1997, between the Company and the Initial Purchaser; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that such waiver shall apply only to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement.

          SECTION 12. NOTICES. All notices and other communications hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or
transmitted by any standard form of telecommunication. Notices to the Initial
Purchaser shall be directed to Smith Barney, Inc., 1345 Avenue of the Americas,
New York, New York 10105, Attention: Manager, Investment Banking Division, with
a copy to Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, 919 Third Avenue, New York,
New York 10022, attention of Mark C. Smith, Esq.; notices to the Company shall
be directed to Interpool, Inc., 211 College Road East, Princeton, New Jersey
08540, attention of Chief Executive Officer, with a copy to the Company's
General Counsel at the same address and to Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP, 180
Maiden Lane, New York, New York 10038, attention of Jeffrey S. Lowenthal, Esq.

          SECTION 13. PARTIES. This Agreement shall each inure to the benefit of
and be binding upon the Initial Purchaser and the Company and their respective
successors. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or
shall be construed to give any person, firm or corporation, other than the
Initial Purchaser and the Company and their respective successors and the
controlling persons and officers and directors referred to in Section 7 and
their heirs and legal representatives, any legal or equitable right, remedy or
claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision herein contained.
This Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof are intended to be for
the sole and exclusive benefit of the Initial Purchaser and the Company and
their respective successors, and said controlling persons and officers and
directors and their heirs and legal representatives, and for the benefit of no
other person, firm or corporation. No purchaser of Securities from the Initial
Purchaser shall be deemed to be a successor by reason merely of such purchase.

          SECTION 14. GOVERNING LAW AND TIME. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED
BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

          SECTION 15. EFFECT OF HEADINGS. The Section and Paragraph headings
herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

          SECTION 16. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be signed in various
counterparts which together constitute one and the same instrument. If signed in
counterparts, this Agreement shall not become effective unless at least one
counterpart hereof shall have been executed and delivered on behalf of each
party hereto.
<PAGE>

          Please confirm that the foregoing correctly sets forth the agreement
between the Company and the Initial Purchaser.

                                             Very truly yours,

                                             Interpool, Inc.

                                             By:  /S/ Richard W. Gross
                                                  --------------------
                                                  Name:  Richard W. Gross
                                                  Title: Senior Vice President

Confirmed as of the date first above mentioned.

SMITH BARNEY INC.

By:  /S/ Stewart Whitman
     --------------------
     Name:   Stewart Whitman
     Title:  Director


<PAGE>

                                   SCHEDULE A

                            SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARIES

Interpool Limited
Trac Lease, Inc.

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A

      [Formof Opinion of Stroock & Stroock & Lavan - covering federal, New
                       York and Delaware corporation law]


          1. The Purchase Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by the Company.

          2. The Original Securities and the Exchange Securities have been duly
authorized for issuance by the Company, and the Original Securities, when
executed, authenticated and delivered in the manner provided for in the
Indenture and paid for in accordance with this Agreement, and the Exchange
Securities, when executed, authenticated and delivered in the manner provided
for in the Indenture and issued in the Exchange Offer as contemplated by the
Registration Rights Agreement, will represent valid and binding obligations of
the Company and will entitle the holders thereof to the benefits of the
Indenture, except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws
relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally or by general equitable
principles (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at
law).

          3. The Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by
the Company and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Company,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except to the
extent that enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting
creditors' rights generally or by general equitable principles (regardless of
whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

          4. The Registration Rights Agreement has been duly authorized,
executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes a valid and binding
agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its
terms, except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolven- cy, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws
relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally or by general equitable
principles (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at
law), and except to the extent that rights to indemnity and contribution
contained therein may be limited by state and federal securities laws or the
public policy underlying such laws.

          5. The Operative Documents and the Securities conform in all material
respects to the descriptions thereof contained in the Offering Memorandum;

          6. The statements in the Offering Memorandum under the captions
"Description of Notes" and "Exchange Offer; Registration Rights," to the extent
that such statements constitute matters of law or legal conclusions, have been
reviewed by us and are accurate in all material respects and fairly present the
information disclosed therein;

          7. Except as previously made or obtained, as the case may be, no
Governmental Approval is necessary or required in connection with the execution
or delivery by the Company of the Operative Documents or the Original
Securities, as applicable, or the performance by the Company of the transactions
contemplated thereby. The term "Governmental Approval" means any consent,
approval, license, authorization or validation of, or filing, qualification or
registration with any Governmental Authority pursuant to Applicable Laws (as
defined below). The term "Governmental Authority" means any New York, Delaware
or federal legislative, judicial, administrative or regulatory body under
Applicable Laws.

          8. The execution and delivery of each of the Operative Documents by
the Company, the issuance and delivery of the Original Securities, and the
consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by the Operative
Documents and the Securities and compliance by the Company with the terms of
each of the Operative Documents and the Securities, as applicable, and the
application of the net proceeds of the purchase by the Initial Purchaser of the
Original Securities in the manner set forth under the caption "Use of Proceeds"
in the Offering Memorandum, do not, and will not, whether with or without the
giving of notice or lapse of time, (i) result in any violation of the
Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws of the Company (ii) conflict with or
constitute a breach of, or result in the imposition of any lien, charge or
encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company (a) under any contract,
indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement, note, lease or any
other agreement or instrument which has been identified to us in an officer's
certificate of the Company as containing provisions which, in the event of any
such conflict, breach, default or imposition of lien, charge or encumbrance,
could result in a material adverse change in the condition, financial or
otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the
Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not
arising in the ordinary course of business (the "Applicable Contracts") or (b)
any Applicable Law. The term "Applicable Laws" means only those laws, rules and
regulations of the State of New York and of the United States of America and the
Delaware General Corporation Law which, in our experience, are ordinarily
applicable to transactions of the type contemplated by the Purchase Agreement.

          9. Except as described in the Offering Memorandum, such counsel does
not know of any person who has the right, contractual or otherwise, to cause the
Company to sell or otherwise issue to them, or to permit them to underwrite the
sale of, any of the Securities or the right, as a result of the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, to require registration under
the 1933 Act of any shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company;

          10. Assuming (A) the accuracy of the representations and warranties of
the Company set forth in Section 1(a), 1(z), 1(aa), and 1(ab) of this Agreement,
(B) the due performance by the Company of the covenants and agreements set forth
in Section 6(b) of this Agreement and the due performance by the Company and you
of the covenants and agreements set forth in Section 6(a) of this Agreement, (C)
compliance by you with the offering and transfer procedures and restrictions
described in the Offering Memorandum, (D) the accuracy of the representations
and warranties made by purchasers to whom you initially resell the Original
Securities pursuant to Rule 144A, and (E) that purchasers to whom you initially
resell Original Securities receive a copy of the Offering Memorandum or other
notice that such resales are made pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") prior to such sale, it is not
necessary in connection with the offer, sale and delivery of the Original
Securities by the Company and you to register the Original Securities under the
Securities Act, or to qualify the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of
1939, as amended;

          11. The Company is not required to deliver the information specified
in Rule 144A(d)(4) in connection with the offering and resale of the Original
Securities by the Initial Purchaser;

          12. The Company is not required to obtain shareholder consent for the
issuance or offering of the Securities;

          13. The Company is not, and following consummation of the transactions
contemplated by the Operative Documents will not be, required to be registered
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

          In the course of our representation of the Company, we have generally
reviewed and discussed the contents of the Offering Memorandum with certain
officers and employees of the Company and with the Company's internal counsel
and accountants, and, while we have not independently verified, and are not
passing upon, and do not assume any responsibility for, the accuracy,
completeness or fairness of any of the statements contained in the Offering
Memorandum (including any Incorporated Documents), other than those legal
matters referred to in clauses (5) and (6) above, nothing has come to our
attention that would lead us to believe that the Offering Memorandum (including
any Incorporated Documents and other than the financial statements and other
financial data included, or incorporated by reference, therein or omitted
therefrom, as to which we have not been requested to comment), as of its date or
the date hereof, included or includes an untrue statement of a material fact or
omitted or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading.

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT B

                        [Form of Opinion of Arthur Burns]


          1. Each of the Company and Trac Lease has been duly incorporated and
is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Delaware.

          2. Each of the Company and Trac Lease has full corporate power and
authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business
as described in the Offering Memorandum and, in the case of the Company, to
enter into and perform its obligations under the Operative Documents, including
without limitation, the issuance of the Securities.

          3. Each of the Company, Trac Lease and Interpool Limited (together
with Trac Lease, the "Significant Subsidiaries") is duly qualified and in good
standing, or the local equivalent thereof, as a foreign corporation in every
jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business and its ownership or leasing
of real property makes such qualification necessary, except for those failures
to be so qualified or in good standing that will not in the aggregate have a
material adverse effect upon the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

          4. At the date indicated (i) the Company had a duly authorized
capitalization as set forth in the Offering Memorandum, (ii) all of the
outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company have been duly authorized and
validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable, (iii) the stockholders of
the Company have no preemptive rights and (iv) the Company owns all of the
outstanding shares of capital stock of each of the Significant Subsidiaries free
and clear of any perfected security interest or, to my knowledge, any other
liens, security interests, pledges, claims or encumbrances.

          5. I do not know of any litigation, arbitration or governmental or
other proceeding pending or threatened against the Company or the Significant
Subsidiaries which is of a character that would be required to be described in
the Offering Memorandum (or a document incorporated by reference therein) if the
Offering Memorandum were a registration statement on Form S-3 under the 1933 Act
which has not been described therein.

          6. Each authorization, approval, consent or license of any government,
governmental instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign (other than under the
1933 Act, the 1939 Act, the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the securities or
blue sky laws of the various states), which is required for (A) the valid
authorization, issuance, sale and delivery of the Original Securities, or the
Exchange Securities or (B) the execution, delivery or performance of each of the
Operative Documents by the Company, has been received and remains in full force
and effect.

          7. I do not know of (i) any statutes or regulations, or any pending or
threatened legal or governmental proceedings of a character required to be
described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q under the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act, or (ii) of any contracts or
documents of a character required to be filed as exhibits to the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q under Item 601 of
Regulation SK of the 1933 Act that are not described or referred to in the
Offering Memorandum (by reference or otherwise).

          8. The descriptions in the Offering Memorandum (by reference or
otherwise) of the statutes, regulations, legal or governmental proceedings and
contracts therein described are accurate in all material respects and fairly
discuss the information required to be shown.

          9. To my knowledge, no default exists in the performance or observance
of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any contract,
indenture, loan agreement, note, lease or other agreement or instrument that is
described or referred to in the Offering Memorandum (by reference or otherwise)
which could have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries,
taken as a whole.

          10. The execution and delivery of each of the Operative Documents by
the Company, the issuance and delivery of the Original Securities, and the
consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated in the Purchase
Agreement and in the Offering Memorandum and compliance by the Company with the
terms of each of the Operative Documents and the Original Securities, as
applicable, and the application of the net proceeds of the purchase by the
Initial Purchaser of the Original Securities in the manner set forth under the
caption "Use of Proceeds" in the Offering Memorandum, do not and will not,
whether with or without the giving of notice or lapse of time, conflict with or
constitute a breach of, or result in the imposition of any lien, charge or
encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company (a) under any contract,
indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement, note, lease or any
other agreement or instrument, in each case known to me, which, in the event of
any such conflict, breach, default or imposition of lien, charge or encumbrance,
could result in a material adverse change in the condition, financial or
otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the
Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not
arising in the ordinary course of business (the "Applicable Contracts") or (b)
any Applicable Law. The term "Applicable Laws" means only those laws, rules and
regulations of the State of New York and of the United States of America and the
Delaware General Corporation Law which, in my experience, are ordinarily
applicable to transactions of the type contemplated by the Purchase Agreement.

          11. Neither the Company nor any of the Significant Subsidiaries is in
violation in any material respect of its respective certificate or articles of
incorporation or bylaws, or other organizational documents.

          12. I, or attorneys in my office working under my direction, have
participated in the preparation of the Offering Memorandum and am familiar with
or have participated in the preparation of the documents incorporated by
reference therein, and other than those legal matters referred to in clause (8)
above, nothing has come to my attention that would lead me to believe that the
Offering Memorandum (other than the financial statements and other financial
data included, or incorporated by reference, therein or omitted therefrom, as to
which we have not been requested to comment), as of its date or the date hereof,
included or includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits
to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT C

                      [Form of Opinion of David King & Co.]


          1. Interpool Limited is a corporation duly incorporated, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of Barbados;

          2. Interpool Limited has full corporate power and authority under the
laws of Barbados to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its
business, and all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Interpool
Limited have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and
nonassessable and, to the best knowledge of such counsel, all of the outstanding
shares of capital stock of Interpool Limited are owned by the Company directly
free and clear of any perfected security interests, or to the best knowledge of
such counsel, any other liens, security interests, pledges, claims or other
encumbrance;

          3. Interpool Limited is not in violation of its certificate of
continuance or by-laws or other organizational documents or, to the best
knowledge of such counsel, in violation of any law, ordinance, administrative or
governmental rule or regulation applicable to it or of any decree of any court
or governmental agency or body of Barbados having jurisdiction over it; and

          4. Interpool Limited is an "international business company" under the
International Business Company Act, 1991 of Barbados.


CONTACT:  RAOUL J. WITTEVEEN
          (212) 916-3261

NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                    INTERPOOL, INC. CONSUMMATES EXCHANGE OFFER FOR 100% OF 9
                    7/8% CAPITAL SECURITIES OF INTERPOOL CAPITAL TRUST


PRINCETON, NJ, September 8,1997 -- Interpool, Inc. (NYSE: IPX) announced today
the successful consummation of an exchange offer for all of the 9 7/8% Capital
Securities of Interpool Capital Trust. Pursuant to the exchange offer, the
entire $75,000,000 aggregate liquidation amount of Capital Securities were
tendered prior to the expiration of the offer and exchanged for the same
liquidation amount of Interpool Capital Trust's new 9 7/8% Capital Securities,
which have been registered under the Securities Act. The Capital Securities were
originally issued and sold on January 27, 1997 in a transaction exempt from
registration under the Securities Act.

The new Capital Securities issued in the Exchange Offer have substantially the
same terms and conditions as the unregistered Capital Securities, except that
the new Capital Securities are not subject to the restrictions on resale or
transfer which applied to the unregistered Capital Securities.

Interpool, originally founded in1968, is one of the world's leading lessors of
cargo containers used in international trade and is the second largest lessor of
intermodal container chassis in the United States. Interpool leases its
containers and chassis to over 200 customers, including nearly all of the
world's 20 largest international container shipping lines. Interpool Capital
Trust is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Interpool, Inc.

                                      # # #



CONTACT:       RAOUL J. WITTEVEEN
              (212) 916-3261

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                 INTERPOOL TO PAY CASH DIVIDEND ON COMMON STOCK

PRINCETON, NJ, September 23, 1997 - Interpool, Inc. (NYSE: IPX) announced that
it will pay a cash dividend of $.0375 per common share for the third quarter of
1997. The dividend will be payable on October 15, 1997 to stockholders of record
on October 1, 1997. The aggregate amount of the dividend is expected to be
approximately $1,033,000.00. The amount of the quarterly dividend is based on a
1997 annualized dividend rate of $.15 per common share.

Interpool, originally founded in 1968, is one of the world's leading lessors of
cargo containers used in international trade and is the second largest lessor of
intermodal container chassis in the United States. Interpool leases its
containers and chassis to over 200 customers, including nearly all of the
world's 20 largest international container shipping lines.


                                      # # #



CONTACT:    RAOUL J. WITTEVEEN
           (212) 916-3261

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

            INTERPOOL, INC. REPORTS 3RD QUARTER RESULTS - INCOME
            PER SHARE OF $0.28 AS COMPARED WITH $0.31 FOR PRIOR YEAR

PRINCETON, NJ, NOVEMBER 4, 1997 -- Interpool, Inc. (NYSE: IPX) reported today
that its 1997 third quarter income per share, before extraordinary and
non-recurring charges, was 28 cents per share (on a primary basis), as compared
with 31 cents (on a fully diluted basis) for the same period in 1996.
Adjustments for full dilution had no impact on 1997 third quarter income per
share. Revenues during the third quarter of 1997 were $40,962,000, up 9% from
$37,482,000 in the third quarter of 1996.

Interpool, Inc.'s income per share before extraordinary and non-recurring
charges was 89 cents per share (on a primary basis) in the first nine months of
1997 compared with 88 cents per share (on a fully diluted basis) for the same
period in 1996. Adjustments for full dilution had no material impact on income
per share in the first nine months of 1997. Revenues for the nine months ended
September 30, 1997 rose to $118,922,000, up 9% from $109,092,000 in the first
nine months of 1996.

Martin Tuchman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, noted that during the
third quarter, the company took advantage of two significant opportunities to
facilitate future growth of its business which impacted earnings in the quarter.
First, as previously announced, Interpool issued $225 million of ten year notes
during the third quarter, comprised of $150 million of 7.35% Notes due 2007 and
$75 million of 7.20% Notes due 2007.

<PAGE>

These Notes represented Interpool's first issues of unsecured debt, recognizing
the company's growing credit strength. The net proceeds from those offerings
were used to repay secured indebtedness, to purchase equipment and for other
investments. However, until the funds were deployed, the resulting excess of
interest expense over interest income of approximately $530,000, net of taxes,
resulted in a reduction of income before extraordinary item of 2 cents per share
for the third quarter.

Second, Mr. Tuchman pointed to the company's strategic focus in 1997 on building
its domestic intermodal equipment leasing business, with substantial emphasis on
chassis leasing and management. During the third quarter of 1997, the company
substantially increased its expenditures in the domestic intermodal leasing
division. This increase contributed to an increase in chassis utilization to 94%
in September 1997, from 92% in June 1997. However, the increased expenditures,
net of taxes, during the third quarter of 1997 over the prior year period
resulted in a reduction in income before extraordinary item of $1,100,000 or 4
cents per share. The company intends to continue this increased level of
expenditures through the fourth quarter of 1997.

Earlier this year, the company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Trac Lease, Inc., was
awarded a contract by the Grand Alliance Chassis Pool to administer a fleet of
up to 42,000 marine shipping container chassis at over 30 pool locations
throughout the United States where the chassis are based. In addition, Trac has
recently been awarded the administration contract for Virginia's port-wide
cooperative steamship line chassis pool, where approximately 12,000 chassis will
be managed. Trac will now be managing approximately 115,000 chassis, including
Trac's approximately 61,000 units, of which 2,000 were added during the third
quarter, making Trac the largest manager of chassis in the United States. Trac
is also aggressively bidding on other chassis management pool opportunities,
taking advantage of its proprietary computer software which permits daily
reporting on the movement and condition of chassis and assists steamship lines
in maintaining efficient inventory levels at chassis pools.


<PAGE>

Mr. Tuchman also noted that Interpool has continued to expand its container
fleet by adding approximately 20,000 container TEUs (twenty- foot-equivalent
units) during the third quarter, increasing the total container fleet to
approximately 360,000 container TEUs. At September 30, 1997, the utilization
rate of the combined container and chassis fleets rose to 98%.

The company conducts its international container leasing business through its
subsidiary Interpool Limited, while the domestic intermodal equipment leasing
business is conducted by Interpool, Inc. and its other subsidiaries. During the
third quarter of 1997, the Interpool Limited international container division's
contribution to consolidated income before extraordinary and non-recurring items
declined to $7,093,000 from $7,635,000 in 1996, while the domestic intermodal
division's contribution decreased to $831,000 from $2,251,000. In addition to
the two items mentioned above which impacted earnings per share, the domestic
intermodal division's third quarter contribution was reduced by $1.1 million of
interest expense, net of taxes, attributable to the $75 million of 9 7/8%
Capital Securities sold by the company in January, 1997. Revenues for the third
quarter of 1997 from the Interpool Limited international container division
increased to $21,575,000 from $20,237,000 in 1996, while revenues from the
domestic intermodal division rose to $19,387,000 from $17,245,000.

During the nine months ended September 30, 1997, the Interpool Limited
international container division's contribution to consolidated income before
extraordinary and non-recurring items rose to $22,190,000 from $21,470,000 in
1996, while the domestic intermodal division's contribution decreased to
$3,655,000 from $6,335,000. In addition to the two items mentioned above which
impacted earnings per share, the domestic intermodal division's nine month
contribution was reduced by $3.0 million of interest expense, net of taxes,
attributable to the Capital Securities sold by the company in January, 1997.
Revenues for the first nine months of 1997 from the Interpool Limited
international container division increased to $64,073,000 from $59,102,000 in
1996, while revenues from the domestic intermodal division rose to $54,849,000
from $49,990,000.

<PAGE>

Interpool, originally founded in 1968, is one of the world's leading lessors of
intermodal dry cargo containers and is the second largest lessor of intermodal
container chassis in the United States. Interpool leases its containers and
chassis to over 200 customers, including nearly all of the world's 20 largest
international container shipping lines.

This Press Release contains certain forward-looking statements regarding future
circumstances. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
contemplated in such forward-looking statements, including in particular the
risks and uncertainties described in the company's SEC filings. The company
undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these
forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date
hereof.

                               ***TABLE FOLLOWS***

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

           INTERPOOL, INC.
 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
  (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT AMOUNTS PER SHARE)                              Three Months Ended               Nine Months Ended
             (UNAUDITED)                                                   September 30,                   September 30,
                                                                         1997           1996            1997            1996
                                                                        -----           -----           ----            -----
<S>                                                                    <C>             <C>             <C>           <C>
Revenues (1)                                                           $40,962         $37,482         $118,922      $109,092

Lease operating and                                                     10,292           7,866           27,987        22,385
administrative expenses
Depreciation and amortization of                                         8,933           8,084           26,155        24,069
leasing equipment
Gain on sale of leasing equipment                                         (17)            (49)            (773)
                                                                       -------
                                                                                                                        (493)
Earnings before interest and taxes                                      21,754          21,581           65,553        63,131
Interest expense, net                                                   13,280           9,745           36,008        29,826
                                                                        ------           -----           ------        ------

Income before taxes,                                                     8,474          11,836           29,545        33,305
extraordinary loss and
non-recurring  charge
Provision for income taxes                                                 550           1,950            3,700         5,500
                                                                           ---

Income before extraordinary loss                                         7,924           9,886           25,845        27,805
and non-recurring charge

Extraordinary loss on retirement
of debt, net of applicable                                               4,550               -            4,878             -
taxes of
 $2,150 and $2,375  (2)

Non-recurring charge -
acquisition of preferred stock of                                            -               -                -         2,392
 subsidiary (3)                                                              -               -                -         -----

Net income                                                              $3,374          $9,886          $20,967       $25,413
                                                                        ======

Income per share before
extraordinary loss and premium
paid on
 redemption of preferred stock in 1997:
     Primary                                                             $0.28           $0.33            $0.89         $0.92
     Fully diluted                                                          NA           $0.31               NA         $0.88

Extraordinary loss on retirement of debt:
     Primary                                                           ($0.16)              NA          ($0.17)            NA
     Fully diluted                                                          NA              NA               NA            NA

Premium on redemption of
preferred stock: (4)
     Primary                                                                NA              NA          ($0.24)            NA
     Fully diluted                                                          NA              NA               NA            NA

Net income per share:
     Primary                                                             $0.12           $0.33            $0.48         $0.92
     Fully diluted                                                          NA           $0.31               NA         $0.88

Weighted average shares
outstanding:
     Primary                                                            28,626          26,773           28,187        26,569
     Fully diluted                                                          NA          31,750               NA        31,504


(1)       Revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 1997 includes $1.5
          million of successful legal claim recovery during the second quarter.

(2)       The extraordinary loss in the third quarter resulted from the
          retirement of secured debt using proceeds from the issuance of ten
          year unsecured notes during the third quarter.

(3)       Represents a non-cash and non-recurring charge for accumulated
          dividends of its subsidiary, Trac Lease, Inc., which resulted from the
          acquisition of the outstanding preferred stock of Trac Lease, Inc.
          through the issuance of Interpool, Inc. preferred stock. Such charge
          has no impact on net income per share because unpaid dividends were
          included in the computation of net income per share in periods prior
          to the acquisition.

(4)       Represents a special non-recurring charge of $6,716 to retained
          earnings for the redemption of 5 3/4% Convertible Preferred Stock
          expressed as amount per share.
</TABLE>


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