PROGRAMMERS PARADISE INC
10-K, 1997-03-31
COMPUTERS & PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT & SOFTWARE
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-K

[X]  ANNUAL REPORT  PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE  SECURITIES  EXCHANGE
     ACT OF 1934 (FEE REQUIRED)

                  For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996

                                       OR

[ ]  TRANSITION  REPORT  PURSUANT  TO SECTION  13 OR 15(d) OF THE  SECURITIES
     EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (NO FEE REQUIRED)

        For the transition period from ______________ to _______________

                        Commission file number: 33-92810

                           PROGRAMMER'S PARADISE, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
         Delaware                                  13-136104
(State or other jurisdiction              (IRS Employer Identification Number)
of incorporation)

1163 Shrewsbury Avenue, Shrewsbury, New Jersey                      07702
(Address of principal executive offices)                          (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (908) 389-8950
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                         <C>                   
Securities registered pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act: NONE
Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
                                                            ---------------------------------------
                                                             (Title Of Class)
</TABLE>

    Indicate  by check mark  whether the  registrant:  (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934  during  the  preceding  12 months  (or for such  shorter  period  that the
registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.

           Yes      X            No

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

    The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the
Registrant computed by reference to the closing sales price for the Registrant's
Common Stock on March 21, 1997, as reported on the NASDAQ National  Market,  was
approximately $33,526,000.

    The number of shares  outstanding  of the  Registrant's  Common  Stock as of
March 21, 1997: 4,789,423 shares.

    In   determining   the  market  value  of  the  voting  stock  held  by  any
non-affiliates,  shares of Common Stock of the Registrant  beneficially owned by
directors,  officers and holders of more than 10% of the  outstanding  shares of
Common  Stock of the  Registrant  have  been  excluded.  This  determination  of
affiliate  status  is not  necessarily  a  conclusive  determination  for  other
purposes.


<PAGE>




    DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: Portions of the Registrant's definitive
Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of  Stockholders  scheduled to be held on
June 23, 1997 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Report.


<PAGE>

                                     PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS.

GENERAL

         Programmer's Paradise, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), is
a  recognized  international  direct  marketer of software  for  microcomputers,
servers and networks,  operating through three separate distribution channels in
the  United  States  and  Europe - catalog,  corporate  reseller  and  wholesale
distribution - with a strategic focus on expanding its catalog  activities aimed
at people who design,  program, document, support and use software.  The Company
currently offers catalogs in local languages and with prices in local currencies
in the United States, Italy, Germany, Austria, the United Kingdom and France.

         A  key  element  of  the  Company's  strategy  is  to  build  upon  its
distinctive catalogs - the established  PROGRAMMER'S PARADISE catalog,  directed
at independent professional programmers,  and its PROGRAMMER'S SUPERSHOP catalog
, acquired in 1996 and directed at  programmers  working in large  corporations.
These  catalogs  are full  color  "magalogs"  created  in-house,  which  combine
traditional catalog sales offerings with detailed product descriptions, magazine
style articles,  product announcements and interviews with industry leaders, and
contain   substantial   amounts  of  paid  and  cooperative   advertising.   The
Programmer's   Paradise   catalog   features  the  Company's   proprietary   and
brand-distinctive logo, the "Island Man" cartoon character. In 1996, the Company
distributed over 5.1 million catalogs, typically featuring more than 1,500 stock
keeping units ("SKUs") in each catalog.  The Company  estimates that its catalog
operations,  which  have  historically  had  the  highest  gross  margin  of the
Company's distribution channels, contributed 46% of its revenue and 62% of gross
margin in 1996.

         Through its  multiple  channels,  the  Company  offers more than 10,000
SKUs,  consisting of technical and general business application  software,  from
over  1,000  publishers  at prices  generally  discounted  below  manufacturers'
suggested retail prices. The Company's catalogs contain  substantial  amounts of
advertising  and offer one of the most  complete  collections  of  microcomputer
technical  software,   including  programming   languages,   tools,   utilities,
libraries,  development systems,  interfaces and communications  products.  Many
technical  software programs are difficult for developers to source on their own
and, notwithstanding the large selection of programs offered by the Company, the
Company  frequently  searches for titles  requested by its  customer  base.  The
Company  believes  that  its  catalogs  are  important  marketing  vehicles  for
microcomputer  software  publishers and that they provide a  cost-effective  and
service-oriented means to market, sell and fulfill technical software products.

         International  expansion is an integral part of the Company's strategy,
with its European-based  operations accounting for approximately 56% of sales in
the year ended December  31,1996,  and approximately 46% of gross margin for the
same period. The Company began European-based operations in the first quarter of
1993 when it acquired a controlling  interest in Lifeboat  Associates Italia Srl
("Lifeboat Italy"), a long-standing software wholesale distributor in Italy with
an orientation towards technical software.  In June 1994, the Company acquired a
controlling interest in ISP*D International  Software Partners GmbH ("ISP*D"), a
large software-only  dealer, a leading independent  supplier of Microsoft Select
licenses  in Germany and a  significant  microcomputer  software  dealer to many
large  German and  Austrian  companies.  In late 1994,  the Company  organized a
subsidiary  in the  United  Kingdom  to engage  in  catalog  operations,  and in
December 1995 the Company acquired  Systematika  Limited,  a leading reseller of
technical software in the United Kingdom and the publisher of the popular SYSTEM
SCIENCE  catalog.  In January  1996,  the  Company  formed  ISP*F  International
Software Partners France SA ("ISP*F"),  as a full service corporate  reseller of
PC software, based in


<PAGE>



Paris and majority owned by Programmer's  Paradise France SARL. ISP*F was formed
by merging the resources and assets of L & A Logiciels Et  Applications SA ("L &
A France"), LAN Technologie,  a division of Devnet SA, and Programmer's Paradise
France SARL. L & A France is a well known corporate  reseller of PC software and
also publishes the ACCESS DIRECT catalog,  which is targeted to small and medium
sized companies.  LAN Technologie is a high-end PC software supplier and systems
integrator.

         The Company was  incorporated  in  Delaware in 1982.  In May 1995,  the
Company changed its name from "Voyager Software Corp" to "Programmer's Paradise,
Inc." The Company's  principal  executive offices are located at 1163 Shrewsbury
Avenue, Shrewsbury, New Jersey 07702 and its telephone number is (908) 389-8950.

PRODUCTS

         The Company offers over 10,000 SKUs consisting of technical and general
business  application  software  from  more  than  1,000  publishers,  including
Microsoft,  Powersoft, Borland, IBM, Symantec, Lotus and Computer Associates, at
prices generally  discounted below  manufacturer's  suggested retail prices. The
Company screens new products and selects  products for inclusion in its catalogs
based on features, quality, sales trends, price, margins and warranties

         Software upgrades are a significant  category of product offered by the
Company.  The  Company  is  authorized  by most  major  microcomputer  technical
software  publishers  to stock  upgrades.  Upgrades are  revisions to previously
published  software that improve or enhance certain  features of the software or
correct  errors  found in  previous  versions.  The  Company  believes it offers
several advantages to its customers in the upgrade process, including timely and
reliable  service and the ability to combine upgrades with other products on the
same order.

MARKETING AND SALES

         The Company  operates  three separate  distribution  channels - catalog
operations  (PROGRAMMER'S PARADISE,  PROGRAMMER'S SUPERSHOP,  INTERNET PARADISE,
COMPONENTS  PARADISE AND SYSTEM SCIENCE),  corporate reselling to large accounts
(Corsoft  in the U.S.,  ISP*D in  Germany  and ISP*F in  France)  and  wholesale
distribution to dealers and large resellers  (Lifeboat  Distribution in the U.S.
and  Lifeboat   Italy  in  Milan,   Italy).   Management   believes   that  this
diversification of distribution channels is complementary and operationally cost
effective. Further, due to the volume of purchasing by the Company, and also due
to the unique  magazine/catalog  format of the Company's  catalogs,  the Company
believes it is able to obtain favorable  pricing,  prompt supply of upgrades and
significant marketing funds.

         TELEMARKETING AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT. The Company employs  telemarketing
representatives  who assist customers in purchasing  decisions,  process product
orders and respond to customer  inquiries on order status,  product  pricing and
availability.  The telemarketers are trained to answer all basic questions about
products.  On technical  issues,  there is an in-house  technical support staff,
which is able to respond to most  inquiries  over the  phone,  with the  balance
researched  off-line.  For product  literature  and technical  fact sheets,  the
Company employs its fax on demand literature service supported by a CD-ROM-based
reference  library.  Through the Company's  sophisticated  domestic  information
systems,  a telemarketer  can quickly  access a customer's  record which details
past purchases as well as billing information. Similar capabilities exist in the
Company's international operations.


<PAGE>






         CUSTOMERS AND BACKLOG.  No single customer,  including direct end users
or resellers of products,  accounted for more than 5% of the Company's  revenues
during the fiscal year ended  December 31, 1996.  Because the Company  generally
ships products  within 48 hours of receipt of an order from a customer,  backlog
is not material to an understanding of its business.

CATALOG AND PUBLISHING OPERATIONS

         Catalog.   The  Company  has  two   primary   established   catalogs  -
PROGRAMMER'S PARADISE,  directed at independent programming professionals,  and,
THE  PROGRAMMER'S  SUPERSHOP  directed  at  programmers  in large  corporations.
PROGRAMMER'S   PARADISE  and  THE   PROGRAMMER'S   SUPERSHOP,   each  containing
approximately  90  to  150  pages,  are  full  color  "magalogs"  which  combine
traditional catalog sales offerings with detailed product descriptions,  product
announcements,  interviews with industry  leaders,  magazine-style  articles and
substantial  amounts  of paid  and  cooperative  advertising.  The  PROGRAMMER'S
PARADISE  catalog  features  the  Company's  distinctive  "Island  Man"  cartoon
character and is recognized  as a leading  source for technical  software in the
United States.

         THE PROGRAMMER'S  SUPERSHOP catalog was acquired in June 1996, from the
Software  Developer's  Company,  Inc.,  its  largest  competitor  in the catalog
channel.  Under the terms of the purchase,  the Company  received all rights and
title to THE  PROGRAMMER'S  SUPERSHOP  catalog  business,  inbound and  outbound
telemarketing,  reseller  operations,  web site and the  operations  of Software
Developers  Company German  subsidiary.  THE PROGRAMMER'S  SUPERSHOP  catalog is
produced on a quarterly basis and carries a circulation of approximately 400,000
copies. The success of THE PROGRAMMER'S SUPERSHOP,  has reoriented the Company's
traditional  approach  to  catalog  marketing  both  in the  United  States  and
internationally.  In  conjunction  with the SUPERSHOP  catalog,  the Company has
energized  and  supported  an  outbound  telemarketing  program  as  part of its
domestic  catalog  operations,  which  targets  mid-size  to  large  commercial,
governmental  and  educational  accounts in the United  States.  This program is
still in its early  development stage in the United States as the Company builds
an infrastructure of outbound telemarketers.

         In addition to its two flagship  catalogs,  the Company  developed  and
launched two additional  catalogs during 1996.  COMPONENTS PARADISE was launched
in March 1996 and is directed to the Visual Basic add-on  marketplace.  INTERNET
PARADISE  was  developed  and  launched  in May  1996 to  capture  the  internet
development tool market.

         The Company continuously  attracts new customers by selectively mailing
catalogs and other direct mail  materials to prospective  customers,  as well as
through  advertising  in magazines and trade  journals.  The Company's  domestic
mailing list currently consists of a core PROGRAMMER'S PARADISE and PROGRAMMER'S
SUPERSHOP  buyer list of  approximately  171,000  customers  who have  purchased
products  from the Company  within the 24 months ended  December 31, 1996,  plus
selected  names from the Company's  prospect  list,  lists of names  provided by
publishers and lists of names rented from others.

         The  Company  seeks to have these  catalogs  reach a similar  status in
Europe.   The  Company's  European  catalogs   (PROGRAMMER'S   PARADISE  ITALIA,
PROGRAMMER'S PARADISE  DEUTSCHLAND,  PROGRAMMER'S PARADISE DEUTSCHLAND CORPORATE
EDITION,  PROGRAMMER'S  PARADISE  U.K.  and  PROGRAMMER'S  PARADISE  FRANCE) are
offshoots  of the U.S.  versions.  They are  published  in local  languages  and
present offerings in local  currencies,  while using similar but localized cover
graphics,  including the Company's  proprietary  logo,  the "Island Man" cartoon
character.  The Company also  distributes  the popular SYSTEM SCIENCE catalog in
the  United  Kingdom.  This  catalog  has long  been  established  as one of the
pre-eminent  publications for programmers in the U.K. and is produced four times
per year.


<PAGE>




         The Company creates its catalogs  in-house with its own design team and
production  artists  using  a  computer-based  desktop  publishing  system.  The
in-house  preparation  of  the  catalogs  streamlines  the  production  process,
provides greater flexibility and creativity in catalog production and results in
significant cost savings.

         ELECTRONIC  DISTRIBUTION.  The Company also  conducts  business via the
internet     through     its     two     websites;     www.pparadise.com     and
computing.supershops.com.  Through an agreement  announced in July,  1996,  with
CyberSource Corporation of Menlo Park, California,  the Company began electronic
delivery of software.  At December 31, 1996,  the Company had  approximately  75
products  available  for  electronic  distribution  and plans to  increase  that
product selection to approximately 350 titles by the end of 1997.

         UPSTREAM  MARKETING  TO  SUPPLIERS.  The  Company  engages in  upstream
marketing to its  suppliers who are software  publishers by providing  important
services  designed to enhance such supplier's  ability to market its products in
the  programmer  and  developer  marketplace.  The  Company  believes  that  its
advertising  and  other  supplier-directed  marketing  activities  maximize  the
Company's marketing reach and build  relationships with leading publishers.  The
Company  offers a menu of fee  services  to help its  suppliers  sell  products,
including cooperative space advertising,  trade show support,  special publisher
catalogs,  demonstration  disks,  a FAXcetera  hot line for product  literature,
shipment stuffers,  telephone  sold-on-hold  advertising and a variety of custom
direct mail services. As part of these services,  the Company works closely with
suppliers'  personnel on the timing and nature of new product  introductions and
policies, helps build product awareness, conducts marketing programs to selected
users on behalf of publishers and provides a broad range of product support.

         COOPERATIVE   AND  FEE-BASED   ADVERTISING.   The  Company  engages  in
cooperative  and fee-based  advertising  with software  publishers in accordance
with written advertising insertion order agreements. Under these agreements, the
Company  places   advertisements  or  prints  catalogs  that  feature  publisher
discounts,  advertising  allowances and rebates.  Frequently,  the  PROGRAMMER'S
PARADISE  logo and  telephone  number are included in the  promotion of selected
publishers  and  incoming  calls are  handled  by  Company  representatives.  In
addition,  the Company  often  coordinates  its catalog  distribution  and other
marketing initiatives to coincide with new product releases. Many suppliers also
provide funds to the Company  based upon an agreed  amount of coverage  given in
the  catalogs  for their  respective  products,  thereby  financing  the cost of
catalog  publication and  distribution.  In 1996, the Company's  cooperative and
fee-based  advertising  reimbursements  totaled  less than 14% of total  product
revenues  in  the  Company's  domestic  operations,  and  significantly  smaller
percentages in the European operations.

         PUBLISHING.  As  part  of its  catalog  operations,  the  Company  also
operates a software  publishing  operation  under the name Lifeboat  Publishing.
Lifeboat  Publishing  promotes,  markets,  distributes  and  supports  technical
software  titles  which  it owns or to  which  it has  rights  under  publishing
contracts.  The  Company  does not  itself  develop  from  inception  any of the
software  programs it publishes,  but is principally  engaged in identifying end
user  requirements,  defining  specifications  and functions which would satisfy
those  requirements,  and working with product authors or development  companies
which  have core  products  designed  to fit these  requirements.  To  publish a
product,  the Company  generally  obtains exclusive license rights to a software
product  in  exchange  for the  payment of  royalties  by the  Company  based on
subsequent sales of the product.  In some instances,  the Company is required to
pay minimum annual royalty payments.

         The  Company  believes  there  is  a  synergy  between  the  publishing
operations  and its  three  distribution  channels,  as the  catalog,  corporate
reseller and wholesale  operations  help launch and sell  products  published by
Lifeboat   Publishing.   Lifeboat   Publishing   sales  generally  are  made  at
substantially higher margins than other products sold by the Company. Of the 250
best selling SKUs in


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the PROGRAMMER'S  PARADISE and THE PROGRAMMER'S  SUPERSHOP catalogs in 1996, six
were  published  by Lifeboat  Publishing.  The  Company's  family of  publishing
products  currently  includes DAN  BRICKLIN'S  DEMO-IT!,  WINWIDGET,  AND VISUAL
IMAGE.

CORPORATE RESELLING

         Direct corporate  reselling is primarily  conducted in Europe by ISP*D,
which was  acquired  by the Company in June 1994.  The Company  hopes to utilize
ISP*D's  strength in Germany as a base for  pan-European  business  development,
utilizing the offices and  operations of all of the  Company's  subsidiaries  in
Europe. Additionally,  it is the Company's strategy to become the European-based
corporate  reseller  of  choice  for  European  companies  desiring  coordinated
purchasing  agreements  for U.S.  subsidiaries.  The  formation  of ISP*F is the
continuation  of the  Company's  planned  European  expansion  in the  reselling
channel.

         ISP*D's  experienced  sales  force,  each member of which is assigned a
specific territory in Germany or Austria, has built relationships with corporate
customers  through  regular  phone  contact and  personalized  service.  Account
executives  work  directly with  procurement  managers,  management  information
system  managers  and  computer  support  managers  of  existing  and  potential
customers to identify the specific  needs of each customer and to facilitate the
acquisition of software  within the customer's  organizational  framework.  They
also maintain  close contact with customers in order to provide them with timely
communications and assistance with any special or strategic requests. In January
1996, ISP*D formed a full-time consulting staff as a value added service for its
reseller  customers  enabling  the Company to market  itself on the basis of its
overall price and service advantage in an environment where customers  typically
utilize two or more suppliers to satisfy their software needs.

          ISP*D's corporate  reseller  operations are now being  supplemented by
the recently  introduced  PROGRAMMER'S  PARADISE  DEUTSCHLAND  and  PROGRAMMER'S
PARADISE  DEUTSCHLAND  CORPORATE  EDITION,  as is  ISP*F's  operation  with  the
PROGRAMMER'S PARADISE FRANCE catalog.


WHOLESALE OPERATIONS

         Through Lifeboat Distribution and Lifeboat Italy, the Company sells, at
wholesale,   technical  software  to  storefront  retail  dealers,  superstores,
resellers and mail order companies.  The U.S.  retailers include Software   Etc.
and MEI/Micro Center, while the resellers include ASAP Software Express, Stream,
Corporate Software,  Softmart and Software Spectrum. In addition, Lifeboat Italy
wholesales productivity software. In 1996, Lifeboat Distribution - Germany began
to wholesale  productivity  software under exclusive  distribution  arrangements
with certain suppliers.

PURCHASING AND FULFILLMENT

         The Company's  success is, in part,  dependent  upon the ability of its
suppliers to develop and market products that meet the changing  requirements of
the marketplace. The Company believes it enjoys good relations with its vendors.
The Company and its  principal  vendors have  cooperated  frequently  in product
introductions and other marketing programs.  In addition,  the Company typically
receives price protection  should a vendor  subsequently  lower its price. As is
customary in the industry,  the Company has no long-term  supply  contracts with
any of its suppliers. Substantially all the Company's contracts with its vendors
are terminable upon 30 days' notice or less.


<PAGE>




         The Company believes that effective  purchasing is a key element of its
business  strategy to provide  technical  software at  competitive  prices.  The
Company  believes  that  volume  purchases  enable  it to obtain  favorable  and
competitive product pricing. The Company purchases products from more than 1,000
publishers.  Domestically,  in 1996 the Company purchased approximately 56.5% of
its products  directly from  manufacturers  and  publishers and the balance from
three  distributors  - Ingram,  Merisel and  DistribuPro.  The largest volume of
purchases  by the  Company  from  distributors  was  from  Ingram,  representing
approximately  13.4% of worldwide purchases in 1996. The Company believes it can
purchase  substantially all products  purchased from Ingram from other competing
wholesalers  under similar  terms.  Domestically,  the leading 10 vendors of the
Company accounted for approximately 61.1% of its purchases. Management estimates
that during 1996  approximately  47% of  worldwide  revenues of the Company were
derived from products published by Microsoft.

         ISP*D  purchased  approximately  72%  of  its  products  directly  from
manufacturers  and publishers  and the balance from more than six  distributors.
The  leading  three  suppliers  of ISP*D  accounted  for  approximately  8.6% of
purchases in 1996. ISP*D is a Microsoft  Select dealer,  entitling it to license
Microsoft  products and distribute  such products from master lists forwarded by
Microsoft  and  to  sell   documentation   separate  from  the  software  media.
Approximately 79% of ISP*D's sales in 1996 were of Microsoft products.  Lifeboat
Italy, also an authorized Miscrosoft distributor, purchased approximately 34% of
its products  directly from  manufacturers  and  publishers and the balance from
three  distributors  in 1996.  The largest volume of purchases by Lifeboat Italy
was from JSoft, related to Microsoft software,  which represented  approximately
61% of purchases in 1996. Under a 1994 distribution reorganization by Microsoft,
Lifeboat Italy retained its designation as a Microsoft distributor,  however, it
was required to purchase  Microsoft  products  through a direct ship distributor
such as JSoft.  The Company  believes  that it can  purchase  substantially  all
products  obtained  from JSoft from other  competing  wholesalers  under similar
terms.

         The  Company  attempts to manage its  inventory  position to generate a
high  number  of  inventory   turns   consistent  with  achieving  high  product
availability  and order fill  rates.  Inventory  levels may vary from  period to
period,  due in part to increases or decreases in sales  levels,  the  Company's
practice  of  making  large-volume  purchases  when it deems  the  terms of such
purchases to be  attractive,  and the addition of new  suppliers  and  products.
Moreover,  the  Company's  order  fulfillment  and  inventory  control allow the
Company  to order  certain  products  just in time for  next day  shipping.  The
Company  promotes  the use of  electronic  data  interchange  ("EDI")  with  its
suppliers,  which helps  reduce  overhead  and the use of paper in the  ordering
process.  All inventory items in the U.S. and Italy are bar coded and located in
computer  designated areas which are easily  identified on the packing slip. All
such orders are checked with bar code  scanners  prior to packing to ensure that
each order is filled correctly.  The Company also conducts a quarterly  physical
inventory in the United  States and Germany,  and three times per year in Italy,
to verify its inventory levels on a timely basis.  Additionally,  some suppliers
or  distributors  will "drop ship"  products  directly to the  customers,  which
reduces physical handling by the Company.  These inventory management techniques
allow  the  Company  to offer a  greater  range of  products  without  increased
inventory requirements. Generally, the Company has been able to return unsold or
obsolete  inventory  within  specified  intervals  of the  purchase  date to its
vendors through written agreements with, or unwritten policies of, such vendors.
Domestic  orders are shipped via United  Parcel  Service.  Upon  request,  at an
additional  charge,  overnight  delivery  services  are  available.  The Company
operates distribution  facilities in Shrewsbury,  New Jersey;  Munich,  Germany;
Milan, Italy; London, England; and Paris, France.

MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS

         In the U.S., the Company operates a management  information system that
allows for  centralized  management of key  functions,  including  inventory and
accounts receivable management,  purchasing, sales and distribution. Such system
has been customized to provide for the  preparation of daily  operating  control
reports regarding key aspects of the Company's business. The Company's


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existing U.S.  management  information system is a  multi-processor,  UNIX-based
package  designed  for  a   transaction-intensive   distribution   system,  with
financial,   inventory,  purchasing  and  sales  modules.  The  system  provides
operators  with  direct  computer-generated  fax  capabilities  which  are  used
extensively for expediting purchase orders,  customer service  confirmations and
automatic  follow-up of accounts  receivable  collections.  This system supports
telemarketing,  marketing, purchasing, accounting, customer service, warehousing
and distribution.  As part of the acquisition of substantially all of the assets
of The Software Developer's Company, Inc., the Company acquired SDC's management
information  system which are more  adaptive to direct  marketing  organizations
than the Company's.  The Company is presently in the process of installing  this
system.  The  system  allows the  Company,  among  other  things,  track  direct
marketing  campaign   performance,   to  monitor  sales  trends,  make  informed
purchasing  decisions,   and  provide  product  availability  and  order  status
information.  In  addition  to the main  system,  the  Company  has  systems  of
networked  personal  computers,  which  facilitates data sharing and provides an
automated office environment,  as well as microcomputer-based desktop publishing
systems. The Company's European operations use local systems, which are expected
over time to be  modified  to allow  exchange  of data with the  Company's  U.S.
operations.  The Company  believes that its management  information  systems and
planned  enhancements  are sufficient to sustain its present  operations and its
anticipated growth for the foreseeable future.

TRADEMARKS, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND LICENSES

         The Company  conducts its  business  under the  trademarks  and service
marks of PROGRAMMER'S  PARADISE,  THE PROGRAMMER'S  SUPERSHOP,  The "Island Man"
cartoon character logo,  Lifeboat,  DEMO,  demo-it!,  System Science,  ISP*D and
ISP*F.  The  Company  believes  that  its  trademarks  and  service  marks  have
significant  value and are an important factor in the marketing of its products.
The Company  intends to use and protect these and related  marks,  as necessary.
The Company does not maintain a traditional  research and development group, but
works  closely  with  software  authors  and  publishers  and  other  technology
developers  to  stay  abreast  of  the  latest   developments  in  microcomputer
technology. In connection with its publishing operations,  from time to time the
Company has funded a portion of the development of publishing  properties  under
license to the Company,  by  providing  the author  advances,  which are applied
against royalties.

         ISP*D is a Microsoft  Select  dealer.  The Company has  multiple  other
alliances  with  publishers  such  as  Lotus,  Borland,  Powersoft,  Attachmate,
Nu-Mega, Intersolv and Logic Works.

EMPLOYEES

         As of December 31, 1996, the Company had 92 full-time  employees in the
United  States,  including  58 in sales  and  marketing,  13 in  purchasing  and
distribution,  and 21 in  administration,  accounting  and MIS  and 2  part-time
employees.  As of December 31, 1996, the Company had 101 full-time  employees in
Europe,  including 44 in sales and  marketing,  9 in  consulting  and  technical
training, 25 in purchasing and distribution, 23 in administration and accounting
and 3 part-time employees.

         The Company is not a party to any collective bargaining agreements with
its  employees,  has  experienced  no work stoppages and considers its relations
with its employees to be satisfactory.

COMPETITION

         The software distribution market is highly competitive. Pricing is very
aggressive,  and the Company expects pricing  pressure to continue.  The Company
faces competition from a wide variety of


<PAGE>



sources  including  direct sales by vendors,  software  resellers,  superstores,
catalogers and other direct  marketers of software  products,  some of which are
significantly larger and have substantially  greater resources than the Company.
Many of these  competitors  compete  principally on the basis of price,  product
availability,  customer service and technical support,  and may have lower costs
than the Company.  The market for technical  software is  characterized by rapid
changes  in  technology  and  user  needs.  The  Company  competes  both  in the
acquisition  of lists of prospects and of new products  from  software  authors,
developers and publishers,  as well as in the marketing and sale of its existing
products to its customers.

         Although  many of the  Company's  competitors  have  greater  financial
resources  than the Company,  the Company  believes that an ability to offer the
professional programmer a wide selection of products, at low prices, with prompt
delivery,  and high customer service levels and its good  relationships with its
vendors and suppliers, allow it to compete effectively.  The Company competes to
gain  distribution  rights  for  new  products  primarily  on the  basis  of its
reputation,  the  relationships  which management of the Company has established
with  product  authors  and the  Company's  ability  to  promote  and market new
products successfully.

         The software distribution industry is undergoing significant change and
consolidation.  Software distributors are consolidating operations and acquiring
or merging with other  distributors  or retailers to achieve  economies of scale
and  increased  efficiency.  During 1996,  the Company  acquired  its  principle
competitor within the catalog industry- THE PROGRAMMER'S  SUPERSHOP.  One of the
primary  benefits of the  transaction  was the economies of scale as the Company
was able to absorb the entire  operations of The  Programmer's  Supershop within
its existing location while substantially reducing overhead run rates.

         The current consolidation trend could cause the industry to become even
more  competitive  and make it more  difficult  for the Company to maintain  its
operating  margins.  The manner in which software  products are  distributed and
sold is also changing,  and new methods of  distribution  and sale may emerge or
expand.  Software  developers and publishers  have sold, and may intensify their
efforts to sell, their products directly to end-users. From time to time certain
developers and publishers have instituted  programs for the direct sale of large
order quantities of software to certain major corporate accounts. These types of
programs  may  continue  to be  developed  and used by  various  developers  and
publishers.  While  Microsoft  and other  vendors  currently  sell their  update
products directly to end users, they have not attempted to completely bypass the
reseller  channel.  Future efforts by such entities to bypass  third-party sales
channels could materially and adversely affect the Company's operations.

         In  addition,  certain  major  publishers,  including  Microsoft,  have
implemented  programs  for the master copy  distribution  or site  licensing  of
software.  These programs  generally grant an  organization  the right to make a
number of copies of software for distribution  within the organization  provided
that the  organization  pays a fee to the  developer  for each copy made.  Also,
resellers and publishers may attempt to increase the volume of software products
distributed  electronically  through  downloading to end users'  microcomputers,
through CD-ROM unlocking technology,  through CD-ROM based subscription services
and through on-line shopping  services.  Any of these competitive  programs,  if
successful, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's operations and
financial condition.

SALES TAX AND REGULATORY MATTERS

         The Company believes that it is presently required to collect sales tax
on sales of products  through its catalogs to  residents of New Jersey.  Various
states have sought to impose on direct  marketers the burden of collecting state
sales tax on the sale of products shipped to that state's


<PAGE>



residents.  The United States  Supreme Court has ruled that the various  states,
absent congressional  legislation,  may not impose tax collection obligations on
an  out-of-state  mail order company whose only contact with the taxing state is
the distribution of catalogs and other advertisement  materials through the mail
and whose  subsequent  delivery of purchased goods is by U.S. mail or interstate
common carrier.  If legislation is ultimately enacted to overturn such decision,
or state courts otherwise impose a duty to collect sales or use tax,  imposition
of a tax  collection  obligation  on the  Company  in  states  to which it ships
products  may result in  additional  administrative  expenses to the Company and
price increases to its customers.

         The  Company  seeks  to  expand  its  in-house  list of  customers  and
prospects.   In  the  event  that  federal  or  state  governments  or  European
governments enact privacy legislation  resulting in the increased  regulation of
mailing  lists,  the  Company's  ability to enhance or expand its lists could be
adversely affected.  In such event, the Company could also experience  increased
costs in  complying  with  potentially  burdensome  regulations  concerning  the
solicitation of consents to keep or add customer names to its mailing lists.

         The direct response  business is subject to the Mail or Telephone Order
Merchandise  Rule and  related  regulations  promulgated  by the  Federal  Trade
Commission. While the Company believes it is in compliance with such regulations
and has implemented  programs and systems to assure its ongoing  compliance with
such  regulations,  no assurance can be given that new laws or regulations  will
not be enacted or adopted which might adversely affect the Company's operations.

SEASONALITY

         The Company has  traditionally  experienced  a decrease in domestic net
sales in its third  quarter  compared to the other  quarters.  This  traditional
downturn  in  domestic  net sales is  exacerbated  by the  decline  of  European
commercial  activity  in general and  software  sales in  particular  during the
summer months.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.

         As of December 31, 1996,  the Company  currently  leases  15,000 square
feet of space for its  offices  on the first  floor at 1163  Shrewsbury  Avenue,
Shrewsbury,  New Jersey.  The lease is presently on a month to month basis while
the Company is negotiating various options including renewing its current lease.
Basic monthly rent payments amount to approximately $11,000.  Additionally,  the
Company  also leases  approximately  3,500  square feet of office  space under a
short-term lease that calls for monthly rental payments in the amount of $3,750.
The  Company's  European  facilities,  all of which are  leased  under long term
arrangements,  are as  follows:  14,269  square feet in Munich,  Germany,  8,606
square feet in Milan,  Italy,  3,000  square  feet in London,  England and 4,300
square  feet in Paris,  France.  Total  annual  rent  expense  for the  European
facilities is approximately $ 467,000. See Note 9 to the Consolidated  Financial
Statements.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

         There are no material legal proceedings  pending against the Company or
any of its subsidiaries.

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

         Not applicable.




<PAGE>



ITEM 4A. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY.

         The executive officers of the Company are as follows:

NAME                       AGE               POSITION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Roger Paradis              52       President, Chief Executive Officer and 
                                    Chairman of the Board

Joseph V. Popolo           60       Executive Vice President -
                                    USA Operations and Secretary

Peter W. Lorenz            48       Executive Vice President-
                                    European Operations

John P. Broderick          47       Chief Financial Officer, Vice President -
                                    Finance and Treasurer

Massimo Freschi            40       Vice President Europe and Managing Director
                                    European-wide   Catalog  and   Distribution
                                    Operations

Jeffrey Largiader          40       Vice President - Catalog Operations and
                                    Marketing Development

Kathleen Innacelli         36       Vice President - Fulfillment Operations


ROGER  PARADIS  has  served as the  President,  Chief  Executive  Officer  and a
director of the Company  since  1988.  During  1996,  he was also  appointed  as
Chairman  of the  Board of  Directors.  Prior to  joining  the  Company,  he was
President  of Amerinex  Corporation,  a private  venture  capital firm in Saddle
Brook, New Jersey.

JOSEPH V.  POPOLO  has  served  as the  Company's  Executive  Vice  President  -
Operations  since joining the Company in January 1995. From 1977 to 1985, he was
the President of MISCO, a computer products  cataloger.  From 1985 until joining
the Company, Mr. Popolo was an independent  consultant to corporations  desiring
to expand or build  business-to-business  catalog  operations.  Mr.  Popolo  has
served as a consultant  to Catalog Age magazine and is the founder and a charter
member of the Direct Marketing Association's International Council.

PETER W. LORENZ has served as the Managing Director of ISP*D since its inception
in 1989 and joined the  Company in June 1994 at the time of the  acquisition  of
ISP*D by the  Company.  Since  January  1995,  he has served as  Executive  Vice
President-  European  Operations.  Mr. Lorenz is a founding member of the German
Software Association, and was its chairman from 1987 until 1990. He currently is
Treasurer  and a member of the Board of  Directors  of the  Software  Publishing
Association (SPA), Europe.

JOHN P. BRODERICK has served as the Company's Chief  Financial  Officer and Vice
President  - Finance  of the  Company  since May 1995.  He has also  served as a
financial  consultant  to the Company since 1993.  From 1990 through  1992,  Mr.
Broderick was the Chief Financial Officer of Olympic Limousine Service,  Inc., a
transportation conglomerate.


<PAGE>



MASSIMO FRESCHI has served as the Managing Director of Lifeboat Italy since 1990
and  joined  the  Company  in  January  1993 at the time of the  acquisition  of
Lifeboat  Italy by the Company.  He also has served as Vice President - European
Distribution and Catalog  Operations since January 1995. Prior thereto and since
1986, he served in various sales and marketing positions with Lifeboat Italy.

JEFFREY  LARGIADER  has served as the Vice  President - Catalog  Operations  and
Marketing  Development  since 1989 and is  responsible  for catalog  production,
advertising  sales, media planning and marketing  communications.  Prior to that
and since 1983, he held various sales and product management  positions with the
Company and Lifeboat Associates.

KATHLEEN INNACELLI has served as the Vice President - Fulfillment  Operations of
the  Company  since  1993  and  is  responsible  for  purchasing  and  warehouse
operations.  From 1990 through 1993, Ms.  Innacelli held the position of Manager
of Purchasing and was the Vice President - Telesales and Client  Services of the
Company and prior to that and since 1983 held other  positions  with the Company
and Lifeboat Associates.



<PAGE>



                                     PART II


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

         The Company's  Common Stock trades on the NASDAQ  National Market under
the symbol  "PROG." The following  table sets forth,  for the calendar  quarters
indicated, the quarterly high and low sales prices of the Company's Common Stock
as reported on NASDAQ. The quotations listed below reflect  inter-dealer  prices
only, without retail markups, markdowns or commissions.  Prior to July 18, 1995,
there was no established public trading market for the Company's Common Stock.


                                     High             Low
                                   --------         --------
1995
Third Quarter                      12 3/8           10 1/2
Fourth Quarter                     10  1/2           6 3/4
1996
First Quarter                       7                5 1/4
Second Quarter                      7 3/8            4 7/8
Third Quarter                       6 3/4            5 1/4
Fourth Quarter                      7 1/2            5

During 1996, 83,975 shares of the Common Stock were issued to employees,  former
employees  and  directors of the Company,  pursuant to the exercise of incentive
stock  options  granted  to them prior to such year  under the  Company's  stock
option plans. Such shares were issued pursuant to Rule 701 promulgated under the
Securities Act of 1933, at a weighted average exercise price of $.36.


HOLDERS OF COMMON STOCK

         On March 21, 1997,  4,789,423 shares of the Company's Common Stock were
outstanding. On such date, there were approximately 76 holders of record.

DIVIDENDS

         No dividends have been paid on the Company's  Common Stock. The Company
is limited in its ability to pay dividends by its domestic loan agreement, which
presently  prohibits the payments of  dividends.  The Company does not currently
anticipate declaring or paying dividends.


ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

         The  following is a summary of selected  financial  data of the Company
for each of the five years ended on the dates set forth  below,  which should be
read in conjunction  with the financial  statements of the Company and the notes
thereto:



                      SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

    The following table sets forth, selected consolidated financial data for the
Company for the five years ended  December 31, 1996.  The selected  consolidated
financial  data for the five  years  are  derived  from  the  Company's  audited
consolidated  financial  statements.  The consolidated  financial data set forth
below


<PAGE>



should  be  read  in  conjunction  with  the  Company's  Consolidated  Financial
Statements  and  related  Notes and  "Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition" contained herein.

                      (In thousands, except per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
                                             ---------------------------------------------------------------

                                                1992        1993           1994         1995           1996
                                                ----        ----           ----         ----           ----
<S>                                           <C>          <C>             <C>          <C>         <C>     
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA (1):
Net sales                                     $32,333      $45,032         $71,334      $93,286     $127,680
Income from operations                            362          838           1,370        2,275        2,936
Income before minority interest                   159          263           1,095        4,203        2,199
Net income                                        159          239           l,050        4,203        2,298
Net income per common
  share                                         $0.09        $0.10           $0.35        $1.03        $0.44
                                                =====        =====           =====        =====     ========
Weighted average number of
  common shares outstanding                     2,187        2,887           3,142        4,102        5,198

BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  Working capital                               $ 801      $ 1,950         $ 2,731      $21,689       $12,416
  Total assets                                  9,075       11,714          24,730       58,329        69,209
  Short-term debt                               2,900        3,303           3,489        2,469         1,367
Long-term debt                                     --           --              --           --        1,050
Redeemable preferred
    stock and Stockholders'
    equity                                      1,773        3,379           4,597       26,989         28,845
</TABLE>

- ----------
(1)  Comparability  of the Statement of  Operations is affected by  acquisitions
     occurring throughout the periods presented.  See Note 2 to the Consolidated
     Financial Statements.

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

OVERVIEW

         The Company is a  distributor  of  software,  operating  through  three
distribution channels - cataloging, corporate reseller and wholesale operations.
Catalog operations include worldwide catalog sales,  advertising and publishing.
Corporate  reseller  operations  include  Corsoft,  Inc.  in the  US  and  ISP*D
International Software Partners GmbH ("ISP*D") in Munich,  Germany, wholly owned
subsidiaries of the Company,  and ISP*F  International  Software Partners France
("ISP*F")  a  majority  owned  company  located  in  Paris,  France.   Wholesale
operations include distributions to dealers and large resellers through Lifeboat
Distribution  Inc. in the U.S. and  Lifeboat  Associates  Italia Srl  ("Lifeboat
Italy") in Milan, Italy, also subsidiaries of the Company.

         The  Company  was  founded  in 1982 as a  wholesaler  and  reseller  of
educational software. In June 1986, the Company acquired Lifeboat Associates,  a
wholesale  distributor and publisher of software founded in 1976. Later in 1986,
Programmer's  Paradise  was  started  by the  Company as a catalog  marketer  of
technical  software.  In 1988,  the Company  acquired  Corsoft Inc., a corporate
reseller   founded  in  1983,  and  combined  it  with  the  operations  of  the
Programmer's  Paradise  catalog  and  Lifeboat  Associates,  both of which  were
involved in the marketing of technical software for microcomputers. In May 1995,
the  Company  changed its name from  "Voyager  Software  Corp" to  "Programmer's
Paradise,  Inc." and  consolidated  its U.S.  catalog  and  software  publishing
operations in a new subsidiary,  Lifeboat Distribution,  Inc. In July  1995, the
Company completed an initial public offering of its common stock. In June, 1996,
the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of the


<PAGE>



Software Developer's Company, Inc. including THE PROGRAMMER'S SUPERSHOP catalog,
its largest domestic competitor.

         The Company  began  European-based  operations  in the first quarter of
1993, when it acquired a controlling interest in Lifeboat Italy, a long-standing
software  distributor in Italy. In January and April 1994, the Company purchased
the remaining  ownership  interest in Lifeboat  Italy. In June 1994, the Company
acquired a 90% controlling interest in ISP*D, a large software-only dealer and a
leading independent  supplier of Microsoft Select licenses and other software to
many large German and Austrian  companies.  In January  1995,  the remaining 10%
interest  in ISP*D was  purchased  by the  Company . In late 1994,  the  Company
organized a subsidiary in the United Kingdom to engage in catalog operations. In
December  1995, the Company  acquired  Systematika  Ltd., a leading  reseller of
technical software in the United Kingdom and the publisher of the popular SYSTEM
SCIENCE  catalog.  In January  1996,  the  Company  formed  ISP*F  International
Software Partners France SA ("ISP*F"),  as a full service corporate  reseller of
PC software,  based in Paris and majority owned by Programmer's  Paradise France
SARL.  The  Company is using its  European-based  operations  as a platform  for
pan-European business development,  including the distribution of local versions
of its catalogs.

         The  Company has  experienced  in the past and will  experience  in the
future  seasonal  variations  in net sales  and net  income.  Factors  that have
contributed to seasonal  operating  results  include product cycles of suppliers
that are not  controlled  or influenced  by the Company,  product  availability,
supplier relationships,  customer licenses and contracts,  the timing of catalog
mailings,  catalog response rates, product mix, past and potential acquisitions,
the  condition  of the  software  industry in general,  traditional  softness in
summertime European  commercial activity, shifts in demand for software products
and industry announcements,  releases of new products and upgrades and corporate
purchasing cycles.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

         The  following  table  sets  forth for the  periods  indicated  certain
financial  information  derived  from the  Company's  consolidated  statement of
operations expressed as a percentage of net sales:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                     FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   % TO NET SALES                        % CHANGE
                                      -----------------------------------         -----------------------
                                        1994         1995          1996            95 V 94        96 V 95
                                        ----         ----          ----            ----------------------

<S>                                    <C>             <C>          <C>           <C>                <C>
Net Sales                              100.0%          100.0%       100.0%
Cost of Sales                           83.1%           84.4%        83.8%
Gross Profit                            16.9%           15.6%        16.2%         ( 1.3%)            0.6%

Selling, general and
  administrative expenses               14.8%           13.1%        13.5%         ( 1.7%)            0.4%
Amortization expense                     0.1%            0.1%         0.4%           0.0%             0.3%
Income from operations                   2.0%            2.4%         2.3%           0.4%            (0.1%)
Interest ( income ), expense net         0.6%           (0.3%)       (0.2%)        ( 0.9%)            0.1%
Income before taxes                      1.4%            2.7%         2.5%           1.3%            (0.2%)
Income tax benefit (provision)           0.2%            1.9%        (0.8%)          1.7%            (2.7%)
Minority interest (loss)                 0.1%                        (0.1%)         (0.1%)           (0.1%)
Net Income                               1.5%            4.6%         1.8%           3.1%            (2.8%)

</TABLE>


<PAGE>




NET SALES

         Net sales of the Company represents the gross  consolidated  revenue of
the Company  less  returns.  Although  net sales  consist  primarily of sales of
software,  revenue from  marketing  services and  advertising  is also  included
within net sales. Net sales of the Company increased by $34,394,000,  or 37%, to
$127,680,000  in 1996 and by  $21,952,000,  or 31%,  to  $93,286,000  in 1995 as
compared to the respective  preceding periods.  The increase in revenues in 1996
resulted from a combination of the growth of the catalog and corporate  reseller
channels as well as growth  through  acquisitions.  Revenues  within the catalog
channel  increased 65% or $23.2 million primarily as a result of the acquisition
of the  Programmer's  Supershop  in June  1996 as  well  as the  acquisition  of
Systematika  Limited,  a London based direct marketer in the technical  software
industry  in  December  1995.   Domestic   catalog   circulation   increased  by
approximately  800,000  catalog drops  without the addition of THE  PROGRAMMER'S
SUPERSHOP  in  1996  as the  Company  introduced  two  new  segmented  catalogs:
COMPONENTS  PARADISE launched in March 1996 and INTERNET  PARADISE,  launched in
May 1996. Revenues within the corporate reseller channel increased 26.4% in 1996
primarily  resulting  from a  significant  increase  in the amount of German and
Austrian reseller customers as well as the positive impact of forming the French
reseller,  ISP*F. Revenues within Germany and Austria increased by approximately
20% over 1995.  This  increase,  in part,  is  attributed  to the formation of a
consulting division,  which has provided value-added services to German reseller
customers.

         The growth in net sales in 1995  resulted  from market  share growth in
both  the  catalog  and  reseller  channels  and the  full  year  impact  of the
acquisition of ISP*D. Revenues within the catalog channel in 1995, increased 80%
or $11.2  million,  in part to the  start-up  of new  catalogs in France and the
United Kingdom.  Domestic catalog circulation increased by approximately 200,000
in 1995 as the Company concentrated on improving the quality of its customer and
prospect  files and upgrading its  circulation  plan for rentals.  Growth in the
reseller channel  increased 45% or $13.3 million  primarily from the addition of
ISP*D.

GROSS PROFIT

         Gross profit  represents the  difference  between net sales and cost of
sales.  Cost of sales is composed  primarily  of amounts  paid by the Company to
publishers and vendors plus catalog  printing and mailing  costs.  Publisher and
vendor rebates are credited against costs of sales. Gross Profit as a percentage
of net  sales  increased  by 0.6% in 1996  from  15.6% to 16.2%  primarily  from
increased  revenues within the catalog channel  stemming from the acquisition of
The Programmer's Supershop as well as the full year effect of the acquisition of
Systematika  Ltd. During 1996, the Company was able to enhance its gross margins
within the catalog channel by raising both product pricing and advertising rates
in order that its primary catalogs,  PROGRAMMER'S  PARADISE and THE PROGRAMMER'S
SUPERSHOP be on parity.  Gross profit as a percentage of net sales  decreased by
1.3% in 1995  primarily due to a shift in the mix of sales through the Company's
distribution  channels  resulting from the  acquisition of ISP*D,  reflecting an
increase in the  percentage of  relatively  lower margin  corporate  resales and
Microsoft Select licensing sales.

         In the past,  gross  margins have been  affected by the mix of products
sold and the mix of  distribution  channels.  Historically,  the  gross  margins
attained in the  catalog  channel  have been  higher  than either the  corporate
reseller or  distribution  channels.  In 1996,  catalog  operations  contributed
approximately  46% of revenue and  approximately  62% of gross margin dollars as
compared with 35% of revenue and 49% of gross margin  dollars in 1995 and 35% of
revenue and 46% of gross margin


<PAGE>



dollars in 1994. Corporate reseller operations contributed  approximately 43% of
revenue and approximately 26% of gross margin dollars in 1996 and 49% of revenue
and 36% of gross  margin  dollars in 1995 as compared  41% of revenue and 32% of
gross margin dollars in 1994. The distribution channel contributed approximately
11% of revenue and  approximately  12% of gross margin  dollars in 1996 compared
with 16% of revenue and 15% of margin dollars in 1995 and 24% of revenue and 22%
of margin dollars in 1994.

          The  historically  higher margins  attained in the catalog channel are
related to both the product  focus on  technical  software,  including  numerous
specialized  products,  and on the  relatively  fragmented  customer base of the
catalog  channel,  in  comparison  to  the  corporate  reseller  channel,  which
primarily serves large corporations  purchasing high volumes of widely available
business  applications.  In the future,  the  Company's  gross  margins  will be
affected by several  factors,  including,  among  others,  the price of products
sold,  the  distribution   channel  used,  increases  in  product  costs,  price
competition and the introduction of new products.

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

         Selling,  general  and  administrative  ("SG&A")  expenses  include all
corporate   personnel   costs   (including   salaries   and  health   benefits),
depreciation,  non-personnel-related  marketing and  administrative  costs and a
provision for doubtful  accounts.  Depreciation  consists primarily of equipment
depreciation.  SG&A  expenses  have  decreased as a percentage  of revenues from
14.9% in 1994 to 13.1% in 1995 and then  increased  to 13.5% of net  revenues in
1996.  The  decline  in SG&A in prior  years is  primarily  attributable  to the
acquisition of ISP*D which has generally  lower SG&A as a percentage of revenue.
The increase in SG&A expense as a percentage of revenues in 1996 is attributable
to the  abnormally  high  overheads  incurred  with the  start-up  of the French
corporate reseller  operation.  The French corporate reseller operation required
mid-year  restructuring  which  involved the separation and payment of severance
for several employees. The Company does not anticipate any further restructuring
requirements,  however,  there  can be no  guarantee  that  such a need will not
arise. Each year SG&A has increased in absolute dollars,  reflecting the cost of
operations of the Company's  acquisitions  such as the  Programmer's  Supershop,
Systematika  Ltd.  and  ISP*D.  The  Company  does  anticipate  that  SG&A  as a
percentage of revenues will continue to decline as revenues continue to grow and
cost containment directives remain in place, however, there can be no assurances
that this will occur

         Geographically,  the domestic  operations of the Company  accounted for
approximately  47% of total  SG&A  expenditures  while the  European  operations
accounted  for  approximately  53%.  This  represents a decrease from 1995 where
domestic SG&A expenditures accounted for approximately 50% of total consolidated
expenditures.

AMORTIZATION

Amortization  expense includes the systematic  write-off of capitalized software
and goodwill.  The Company incurred  goodwill with the acquisition of both ISP*D
and  Lifeboat  Italia which it is  amortizing  over 40 years.  In addition,  the
Company   recorded   goodwill  in  conjunction  with  the  acquisition  of  both
Systematika Ltd. and ISP*F  International  Software Partners France. The Company
recognized  approximately  $9.5 million in goodwill from the  acquisition of the
assets of The  Software  Developers  Company  Inc.  in June 1996  which is being
amortizing  over a fifteen  year period for both  financial  and tax  accounting
purposes.

INTEREST INCOME AND EXPENSE

         As a result of the Company's  Initial Public Offering on July 18, 1995,
the  Company was able to  liquidate  its  domestic  bank debt and invest the net
proceeds in short-term instruments. The Company generated net interest income of
approximately $223,000 and $250,000 in 1996 and 1995 respectively, compared with
net interest expense in 1994 of approximately $372,000.  Overall interest income
for


<PAGE>



1996  was  negatively  impacted  by the  utilization  of  cash  to  finance  the
acquisitions of ISP*F and The Software Developer's Company, Inc.

MINORITY INTEREST

         Minority  interest  represents the share of the ISP*F losses related to
the 28% stock  ownership,  which was not owned by the  Company at  December  31,
1996. An additional  minority equity  contribution was funded in October 1996 as
part of a  reorganization  and  adjustment  in ownership  percentage.  Operating
losses for ISP*F are offset  against  minority  interest.  Because the operating
losses  for  ISP*F   exceeded   minority   interest,   the  Company   recognized
substantially  all of the operating  losses  through  September  30, 1996.  This
amounted to approximately $775,000.

INCOME TAXES

         Prior  to  1995,  the  Company  had   accumulated  net  operating  loss
carryforwards and other deductible temporary differences for income tax purposes
of  approximately  $10.5  million which could be used to offset  taxable  income
through the year 2005.  The  Company's  Initial  Public  Offering  triggered  an
ownership  change,  which imposes a limit on the use of these net operating loss
carryforwards. See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

         Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards  No. 109 requires  that a
valuation  allowance  be recorded  for  deferred tax assets if it is more likely
than not that some or all of the deferred  tax assets will not be realized.  The
ultimate  realization  of the deferred tax assets  depends upon the existence of
future  taxable  income.  The Company had  previously  recorded a tax  valuation
allowance in accordance  with SFAS No. 109. As a result of its recent history of
carryforward  utilization and projected  future taxable income,  the Company has
reduced the tax valuation  allowance by  approximately  $3.1 million in 1995 and
approximately $565,000 in 1994.

         At December 31, 1996, the Company recorded a provision for income taxes
of  approximately  $991,000  which consists of a provision for state and federal
taxes of  approximately  $1.3 million offset by a reduction in the tax valuation
allowance of approximately  $350,000  associated with prior period losses of the
German  subsidiary.  At December 31, 1995,  benefit for income taxes amounted to
approximately  $1.7 million,  which consists of a reduction in the tax valuation
allowance of approximately $3.1 million offset primarily by provisions for local
and foreign taxes of approximately  $1.4 million.  At December 31, 1994, the net
income tax benefit amounted to approximately $143,000,  which primarily consists
of a reduction in the tax valuation  allowance of approximately  $565,000 offset
by local and foreign tax provisions of approximately $422,000.

         Undistributed  earnings of the Company's foreign subsidiaries  amounted
to  approximately   $563,000  and  $413,000  at  December  31,  1996  and  1995,
respectively.  Those earnings are considered to be  indefinitely  reinvested and
accordingly,  no  provision  for U.S.  federal and state  income  taxes has been
provided.  Upon  distribution  of those  earnings in the form of dividends,  the
Company would be subject to both U.S. income taxes (subject to an adjustment for
foreign tax credits) and withholding taxes payable to various foreign countries.

         Assuming a 40% combined U.S.  federal and state  statutory tax rate and
actual foreign tax rates,  the income tax expense would have been  approximately
$396,000,   $1,137,000  and  $915,000  for  the  years  1994,   1995  and  1996,
respectively.


<PAGE>



LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

          The  Company's  primary  capital  needs have been to fund the  working
capital  requirements  created  by its sales  growth  and to make  acquisitions.
Historically,  the Company's  primary  sources of financing have been borrowings
under its domestic and international lines of credit with financial institutions
and the issuance of preferred stock to private investors, financial institutions
and  investment  funds.  In July 1995,  the Company  completed an initial public
offering of its common stock,  which  resulted in net proceeds to the Company of
approximately $18 million.

          Cash flows from operations were approximately  $1,166,000 for the year
ended December 31, 1996 compared to $9,211,000 and $4,095,000 for 1995 and 1994,
respectively.  In 1996,  cash was  provided  primarily  by the net income of the
Company and by a reduction in inventories  and an increase in accounts  payable,
reflecting the increase in Microsoft Select business and related amounts payable
but not yet due to  Microsoft,  offset by an increase  in  accounts  receivable,
primarily associated with acquired entities. Cash flows from operations for 1996
were negatively impacted by the losses generated by the operations of ISP*F, the
French  corporate  reseller  and a DSO in  France  that  is  unusually  long  in
comparison to other  entities  within the Company.  For 1995, in addition to the
proceeds  received  from the IPO which  were used to reduce  debt and  invest in
short term  securities,  cash flow was  primarily  provided by net income of the
Company and by an increase in accounts payable, primarily due to amounts payable
but not then due to  Microsoft  by ISP*D  under the  Microsoft  Select  program,
offset by an increase of accounts receivable and an increase in inventories. For
1994, cash flow was primarily  provided by net income of the Company,  a similar
increase in accounts  payable related to amounts due under the Microsoft  Select
program offset by an increase in accounts receivable.

          At December 31,  1996,  the Company had cash and cash  equivalents  of
$16.3 million and net working  capital of $12.4  million  compared with cash and
cash  equivalents  and net working  capital of $27.7  million and $21.7  million
respectively, at December 31, 1995. The decrease in working  capital at December
31, 1996 is primarily  attributable to the acquisition of the assets of Software
Developer's  Corporation in June, 1996 as well as ISP*F in January,  1996. Under
the terms of the purchase,  the Company paid  $11,000,000 cash for the assets of
the Software Developers Company and in return received approximately  $1,500,000
in net assets.  The  increase in working  capital at December  31, 1995 over the
respective  period  in  1994,  of  approximately   $19.0  million  is  primarily
attributable to the proceeds  received from the completion of the initial public
offering as well as from the earnings  for the year then ended.  The increase in
cash at December  31, 1995 is due to both the proceeds  from the initial  public
offering and an accumulation of amounts payable but not then due to Microsoft by
ISP*D under the Microsoft Select program.

          The  Company's  capital  expenditures  for 1996 and 1995  amounted  to
approximately  $517,000  and  $615,000,   respectively, primarily  for  computer
hardware and software, office furniture and leasehold improvements. In addition,
in 1996, the Company acquired  approximately  $625,000 of assets, as part of the
acquisition of the Software  Developers Company primarily  comprised of computer
systems and furniture.

          Domestically,  the Company  has a secured,  demand  revolving  line of
credit,  pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to $4.0 million, based upon
80% of its eligible accounts receivable plus 50% of its eligible inventory, at a
rate of  interest of prime plus .50%.  The credit  facility is secured by all of
the domestic assets of the Company and contains  certain  covenants that require
the  Company  to  maintain a minimum  level of  tangible  net worth and  working
capital.  Approximately  $1,350,000  (related to the  acquisition of Systematika
Limited)  of the line was  converted  to a five year term loan at  December  31,
1996.

          The Company  maintains a secured,  demand revolving line of credit for
its German subsidiary,  pursuant to which it may borrow in deutschmarks up to DM
1,000,000 (the equivalent of


<PAGE>



approximately  $645,000 at December 31, 1996),  based upon its eligible accounts
receivable and eligible  inventory,  and the creditor is entitled to the benefit
of a limited  guarantee  by the Company of up to DM 300,000 (the  equivalent  of
approximately  $194,000 at December 31, 1996). At December 31, 1996,  there were
no amounts outstanding under the line. In addition,  a subsidiary of ISP*D has a
secured  term loan with the same bank,  in the original  principal  amount of DM
1,000,000  (the  equivalent  of  approximately  $645,000 at December 31,  1996),
maturing in March 1997.  At December 31, 1996,  the full amount was  outstanding
under such term loan, bearing interest at 4.35%.

          In Italy, Lifeboat Italy has banking arrangements with several Italian
banks, pursuant to which it may borrow in lire on an unsecured,  demand basis to
finance  working   capital   requirements,   through  credit  and   overdrafting
privileges,  as well as  receivables-based  advances.  The aggregate  credit and
overdraft  limits of such  arrangements  at December 31, 1996 and 1995 were both
approximately Lit 3,200,000,000  (the equivalent of approximately $2.0 million).
At December  31, 1996,  there were no amounts  outstanding  under this line.  At
December 31, 1995, there was approximately Lit 1,336,000,000  (the equivalent of
approximately  $842,000)  outstanding  under  such  credit  facilities,  bearing
interest at rates ranging from 11.0% to 14.6%.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

         The Company's  shipments to foreign  subsidiaries  are invoiced in U.S.
dollars.  As a result, the Company believes its foreign exchange exposure caused
by these  shipments  is  insignificant.  The  Company  is,  however,  exposed to
exchange conversion  differences in translating foreign results of operations to
U.S. dollars.  Depending upon the strengthening or weakening of the U.S. dollar,
these conversion differences could be significant.

          Sales to the  customers in European  countries  and  borrowings by the
Company's European subsidiaries are denominated in local currencies. The Company
does not hedge its net asset exposure to fluctuations in the U.S. Dollar against
any such local currency exchange rates.  Although the Company does maintain bank
accounts in local  currencies  to reduce  currency  exchange  fluctuations,  the
Company is, nevertheless, subject to risks associated with such fluctuations.


ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

         See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements at Item 14(a).


ITEM  2.  CHANGES  IN AND  DISAGREEMENTS  WITH  ACCOUNTANTS  ON  ACCOUNTING  AND
          FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

         Not applicable.



<PAGE>



                                    PART III


ITEM 3. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.

         This  information  (other  than  the  information  regarding  executive
officers  of the  Company  called  for by Item 401 of  Regulation  S-K  which is
included  in Part I hereof as Item 4A in  accordance  with  General  Instruction
G(3)) will be contained in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement with respect
to the Company's Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be filed with the Securities
and  Exchange  Commission  within 120 days  following  the end of the  Company's
fiscal year, and is hereby incorporated by reference thereto.


ITEM 4. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

         This  information  will be contained in the Company's  definitive Proxy
Statement with respect to the Company's  Annual Meeting of  Stockholders,  to be
filed with the Securities and Exchange  Commission within 120 days following the
end of the  Company's  fiscal  year,  and is hereby  incorporated  by  reference
thereto.


ITEM 5. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.

         This  information  will be contained in the Company's  definitive Proxy
Statement with respect to the Company's  Annual Meeting of  Stockholders,  to be
filed with the Securities and Exchange  Commission within 120 days following the
end of the  Company's  fiscal  year,  and is hereby  incorporated  by  reference
thereto.


ITEM 6. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.

         This  information  will be contained in the Company's  definitive Proxy
Statement with respect to the Company's  Annual Meeting of  Stockholders,  to be
filed with the Securities and Exchange  Commission within 120 days following the
end of the  Company's  fiscal  year,  and is hereby  incorporated  by  reference
thereto.



<PAGE>




                                     PART IV


ITEM 7. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

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

         1.       CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:

                    Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedules
                    Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants
                    Consolidated Balance Sheets - as of
                           December 31, 1996 and December 31, 1995
                    Consolidated Statements of Income - Years
                           ended December 31, 1996, December 31, 1995 and
                           December 31, 1994
                    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Years ended December
                           31, 1996, December 31, 1995 and December 31, 1994
                    Consolidated Statement of  Stockholders'  Equity Years ended
                           December 31, 1996, December 31, 1995 and December 31,
                           1994
                    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

         2.       FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE:

                  Schedule II     Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

                         All other schedules are omitted for the reason that the
                    information  is included in the financial  statements or the
                    notes  thereto  or that  they  are not  required  or are not
                    applicable.

         3.       EXHIBITS:

EXHIBIT
NUMBER               DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS.

3.1       Form of Amended  and  Restated  Certificate  of  Incorporation  of the
          Company.*
          
3.2       Form of Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company.*
          
4.1       Specimen of Common Stock Certificate.*
          
10.2      Amended and Restated Revolving Loan and Security  Agreement,  dated as
          of March 4, 1993,  between  Midlantic  National  Bank and the  Company
          together  with  Revolving  Loan Note;  First  Amendment to Amended and
          Restated Revolving Loan and Security  Agreement,  dated as of March 4,
          1993, between Midlantic National Bank and the Company,  Corsoft,  Inc.
          and  Lifeboat  together  with First  Allonge to  Revolving  Loan Note;
          Consent of Midlantic National Bank.*
          
10.3      ISP*D Loan Agreements.*
     


<PAGE>





10.4      Lifeboat Italy Loan Agreement.*
          
10.5      Lease,  dated as of August 27, 1987,  by and between  Robert C. Baker,
          Robert C. Baker,  Trustee under Trust  Agreement  dated March 15, 1984
          for the Benefit of Ashley S. Baker, Gerald H. Baker, Harvey B. Oshins,
          Baker 1985  Family  Partnership,  Gregory J. Stepic and John G. Orrico
          ("Landlord")  and Computer  Library,  Inc., and First  Modification of
          Lease, dated as of April 24, 1991, between Landlord and the Company.*
          
10.6      ISP*D Office Lease.*
          
10.7      Lifeboat Italy Office Lease.*
          
10.8      Agreement dated as of December 29, 1994,  between Lifeboat  Publishing
          and Software Garden, Inc.; License for Trademark "Dan Bricklin", dated
          as of December  29,  1994,  between  the Company and Daniel  Bricklin;
          First Amendment to Software  License  Agreement and Trademark  License
          Agreement dated March 30, 1995.*
          
10.9      Employment Letter with Roger Paradis dated as of May 24, 1995.*
          
10.11     Employment  Letter  with Joseph V.  Popolo  dated as of  December  16,
          1994.*
          
10.12     Employment Letter with John P. Broderick dated as of May 10, 1995.*
          
10.13     Employment Letter with Massimo Freschi dated as of June 18, 1992.*
          
10.14     Employment  Letter with  Frederick W. Schmidt  dated as of January 19,
          1994.*
          
10.15     Form of Confidentiality and Non-Compete Agreement.*
          
10.16     Employment  Agreement dated as of May 26, 1994,  between Peter Lorenz,
          ISP*D and the Company.*
          
10.17     1986 Stock Option Plan and Form of Employee Stock Option Agreement.*
          
10.18     1995 Stock Plan.*
          
10.19     1995 Non-Employee Director Plan.*
          
10.20     Form of Officer and Director Indemnification Agreement.*
          
10.21     Registration Rights Agreement dated as of May , 1988.*
          
10.22     Agreement,  dated  December  19,  1995,  by and  between  Programmer's
          Paradise  (UK)  Limited  and the former  shareholders  of  Systematika
          Limited, as supplemented by a letter agreement dated December 19, 1995
          between Peter Lindsey and Programmer's Paradise (UK) Limited.+


10.23     Employment  Agreement  dated  December 19, 1995 between  Peter Lindsey
          and Systematika Limited.+


<PAGE>




10.24     Share Sale  Agreement  dated  December  29, 1995  between  Raphael and
          Rosario Perez and Programmer's Paradise France relating to Logiciels &
          Applications SA.++
        
10.25     Shareholders' Agreement dated December 29, 1995 between Raphael Perez,
          Softway,  Inc.,  Selsid and  Programmer's  Paradise France relating to
          Logiciels & Applications SA.++
        
10.26     Warranty  Agreement dated January 18, 1996 by and among Raphael Perez,
          Rosario Perez and Programmer's Paradise France relating to Logiciels &
          Applications SA.++
        
10.27     Share Sale  Agreement  Amendment  Agreement  dated  January  18,  1996
          Relating  to  Logiciels &  Applications  by and among  Raphael  Perez,
          Rosario Perez and Programmer's Paradise France.++
        
10.28     Call Option Agreement dated January 18, 1996 between Raphael Perez and
          Programmer's Paradise France.++
        
10.29     Side Agreement  dated January 18, 1996 to Call Option  Agreement dated
          January 18,  1996  between  Raphael  Perez and  Programmer's  Paradise
          France.++
        
10.30     Call Option  Agreement  dated  January 18, 1996 by and among  Softway,
          Inc., Selsid and Programmer's Paradise France.++
        
10.31     Employment  Agreement dated January 22, 1996 between Raphael Perez and
          Logiciels Et Applications.++


10.32     Agreement of Purchase  and Sales of Assets,  dated as of May 16, 1996,
          between the  Registrant  and the  Selling  Parties,  and the  exhibits
          thereto. **

10.33     Bill of Sale,  dated  as of June 28,  1996,  executed  by the  Selling
          Parties.**

10.34     Facilities  and  Employee  Use  Agreement,  dated as of June 28, 1996,
          between the Registrant and SDC.**


10.35     Closing  Statement,  dated as of June 28, 1996, between the Registrant
          and the Selling Parties**

10.36     Letter  Agreement  regarding the Acquisition of Stock of SDEV Germany,
          dated as of June 28,  1996,  between  the  Registrant  and the Selling
          Parties.**

10.37     Stock Acquisition Escrow Agreement, dated as of June 28, 1996, between
          the Registrant,  the Selling Parties and Golenbock,  Eiseman,  Assor &
          Bell, as escrow agent.**

10.38     Consent of Independent Auditors**


21.1       Subsidiaries of the Registrant.*

24.1       Powers of Attorney.*

(b)         Reports on Form 8-K.

                  No reports  were filed on Form 8-K during the last  quarter of
the fiscal year covered by this Report.


<PAGE>





                  The Company  filed a Report on Form 8-K on January 2, 1996 and
filed an  amendment  thereto on Form 8-KA on March 4, 1996,  with respect to the
acquisition  of the stock of Systematika  Limited,  an English  corporation,  by
Programmer's Paradise (UK) Limited (See Item 1). The Company also filed a Report
on Form 8-K on July  19,1996  and  filed an  amendment  thereto  on Form 8-KA on
September 16, 1996, with respect to the acquisition of substantially  all of the
assets of Software Developers Company, Inc..



     *    Incorporated  by  reference  to exhibits of the same number filed with
          the  Registrant's  Registration  Statement  on Form S-1 or  amendments
          thereto (File No. 33-92810).

     +    Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Report on Form 8-K dated
          January 2, 1996 or amendments thereto.

    ++    Incorporated  by  reference  to exhibits of the same number filed with
          the Registrant's Report on Form 10-K dated March 28, 1996.

    **    Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Report on Form 8-K dated
          July 19, 1996 or amendments thereto.


<PAGE>
                  Programmer's Paradise, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                       Consolidated Financial Statements

                         Index to Financial Statements
                                                                          Page
                                                                          ----
Report of Independent Public Accounts                                      F-0

Consolidated Balance Sheets                                                F-1

Consolidated Statement of Income                                           F-2

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity                             F-3

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows                                      F-4

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statments                                  F-5

Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts                              F-20

<PAGE>

                         Report of Independent Auditors


The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Programmer's Paradise, Inc.

We  have  audited  the  accompanying   consolidated   financial   statements  of
Programmer's  Paradise,  Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995 and 1996,
and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash
flows for each of the three years in the period ended  December  31,  1996.  Our
audits also included the  financial  statement  schedule  listed in the Index of
Item 14(a).  These financial  statements and schedule are the  responsibility of
the Company's  management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements and schedule based on our audits.

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

In our opinion,  the financial  statements  referred to above present fairly, in
all material  respects,  the  consolidated  financial  position of  Programmer's
Paradise,  Inc.  and  subsidiaries  at  December  31,  1995  and  1996,  and the
consolidated  results of their  operations  and their cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended  December 31, 1996 in conformity  with generally
accepted  accounting  principles.  Also, in our opinion,  the related  financial
statement  schedule,   when  considered  in  relation  to  the  basic  financial
statements  taken as a whole,  presents  fairly in all  material  respects,  the
information set forth herein.


                                                               ERNST & YOUNG LLP

MetroPark, New Jersey
January 31, 1997


<PAGE>


                  Programmer's Paradise, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                           Consolidated Balance Sheets

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                  December 31
                                                                             1995              1996
                                                                       ------------------------------------
<S>                                                                         <C>              <C>        
Assets
Current assets:
 Cash and cash equivalents                                                  $27,701,777      $16,281,055
 Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $777,000 and
   $583,000 in 1995 and 1996, respectively                                   15,625,035       26,825,971
 Inventory                                                                    5,452,623        4,463,747
 Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                    2,116,797        2,945,810
 Deferred income taxes                                                        1,341,918        1,097,007
                                                                       ------------------------------------
Total current assets                                                         52,238,150       51,613,590

Equipment and leasehold improvements, net                                     1,126,982        1,694,900
Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization of $217,000
   and $690,000 in 1995 and 1996, respectively                                2,358,023       12,768,563
Other assets                                                                    581,567          912,124
Deferred income taxes                                                         2,023,854        2,219,854
                                                                       ====================================
                                                                            $58,328,576      $69,209,031
                                                                       ====================================
Liabilities and stockholders' equity Current liabilities:
 Accounts payable and accrued expenses                                      $27,881,030      $35,760,060
 Notes payable to banks                                                       2,468,590        1,134,940
 Other current liabilities                                                      199,371        2,303,076
                                                                       ------------------------------------
Total current liabilities                                                    30,548,991       39,198,076

Other liabilities                                                               790,483          116,345
Long-term portion of notes payable to banks                                                    1,050,000

Stockholders' equity:
 Common Stock $.01 par value:  Authorized, 10,000,000 shares, issued
   4,678,245 and 4,762,220 in 1995 and 1996, respectively                        46,782           47,622
 Additional paid-in capital                                                  33,405,363       33,509,695
 Treasury stock, at cost, 65,000 shares in 1996                                                 (375,633)
 Accumulated deficit                                                         (6,517,673)      (4,219,974)
 Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment                              54,630         (117,100)
                                                                       ------------------------------------
Total stockholders' equity                                                   26,989,102       28,844,610
                                                                       ------------------------------------
                                                                            $58,328,576      $69,209,031
                                                                       ====================================
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.

                                      F-1
<PAGE>

                  Programmer's Paradise, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                        Consolidated Statements of Income


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         Year ended December 31
                                                                  1994             1995              1996
                                                          -----------------------------------------------------

<S>                                                            <C>             <C>              <C>         
Net sales                                                     $ 71,333,977     $93,286,129      $127,679,889
Cost of sales                                                   59,309,598      78,717,559       107,040,575
                                                          -----------------------------------------------------
Gross profit                                                    12,024,379      14,568,570        20,639,314

Selling, general and administrative expenses                    10,574,545      12,194,601        17,230,145
Amortization of goodwill                                            80,003          98,848           473,021
                                                          -----------------------------------------------------
Income from operations                                           1,369,831       2,275,121         2,936,148

Other expense (income):
 Interest expense                                                  477,083         265,399           373,156
 Interest income                                                  (104,865)       (515,652)         (596,046)
 Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain)                            46,026          48,958           (30,628)
                                                          -----------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes and minority interest                   951,587       2,476,416         3,189,666

Income tax (benefit) provision                                    (143,374)     (1,727,035)          990,957
                                                          -----------------------------------------------------
Income before minority interest                                  1,094,961       4,203,451         2,198,709

Minority interest in net (income) loss of subsidiary              (44,876)                            98,990
                                                          -----------------------------------------------------
Net income                                                    $  1,050,085     $ 4,203,451      $  2,297,699
                                                          =====================================================

Net income per common share                                   $       .35      $      1.03      $        .44
                                                          =====================================================

Weighted average common shares outstanding                       3,142,267       4,102,440         5,197,994
                                                          =====================================================
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.

                                      F-2
<PAGE>

                  Programmer's Paradise, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                 Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                            Non-Cumulative
                                              Redeemable                         Additional
                                            Convertible       Common Stock         Paid-In        Treasury    
                                             Preferred     -------------------
                                                Stock       Shares     Amount      Capital         Stock      
                                            ------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>          <C>       <C>        <C>              <C>           
Balance at January 1, 1994                      $ 373        229,115   $ 2,291    $15,271,592                 
  Net income                                                                                                  
  Repayment of note receivable                                                                                
  Translation adjustment                                                                                      
                                            ---------------------------------------------------               
Balance at December 31, 1994                      373        229,115     2,291     15,271,592                 
  Net income                                                                                                  
  Stock issued in ISP*D acquisition                          165,000     1,650        108,350                 
   Conversion of Series A                        (223)     1,674,071    16,741        (16,518)                
   Conversion of Series B                        (150)       450,690     4,507         (4,357)                
   Exercise of stock options, including
    $83,000 in income tax benefits                            89,369       893         18,571                 
   Issuances of common stock in connection
    with initial public offering, net of
    expenses                                               2,070,000    20,700     18,027,725                 
   Translation adjustment                                                                                     
                                            ---------------------------------------------------               
Balance at December 31, 1995                        -      4,678,245    46,782     33,405,363                 
  Net income                                                                                                  
   Exercise of stock options, including
    $86,000 in income tax benefits                            83,975       840        104,332                 
   Purchase of 65,000 treasury stock shares                                                       $(375,633)  
   Translation adjustment                                                                                     
                                            ------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 1996                  $     -      4,762,220   $47,622    $33,509,695     $(375,633)  
                                            ==================================================================
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          Cumulative
                                                                            Foreign
                                                                           Currency
                                              Accumulated      Note       Translation
                                                Deficit     Receivable    Adjustment       Total
                                           -----------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                           <C>            <C>         <C>             <C>         
Balance at January 1, 1994                    $(11,771,209)  $(36,546)   $  (87,935)     $  3,378,566
  Net income                                     1,050,085                                  1,050,085
  Repayment of note receivable                                 36,546                          36,546
  Translation adjustment                                                    131,616           131,616
                                            ----------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 1994                   (10,721,124)         -        43,681         4,596,813
  Net income                                     4,203,451                                  4,203,451
  Stock issued in ISP*D acquisition                                                           110,000
   Conversion of Series A                                                                           -
   Conversion of Series B                                                                           -
   Exercise of stock options, including
    $83,000 in income tax benefits                                                             19,464
   Issuances of common stock in connection
    with initial public offering, net of
    expenses                                                                               18,048,425
   Translation adjustment                                                    10,949            10,949
                                            ----------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 1995                    (6,517,673)         -        54,630        26,989,102
  Net income                                     2,297,699                                  2,297,699
   Exercise of stock options, including
    $86,000 in income tax benefits                                                            105,172
   Purchase of 65,000 treasury stock shares                                                  (375,633)
   Translation adjustment                                                  (171,730)         (171,730)
                                           -----------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 1996                  $ (4,219,974)  $      -     $(117,100)      $28,844,610
                                           ===========================================================
</TABLE>
      
 See accompanying notes.
                                       F-3

<PAGE>

                  Programmer's Paradise, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                               Year ended December 31
                                                                      1994              1995              1996
                                                                ------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                               <C>                <C>                 <C>
Cash flows from operating activities 
Net income                                                        $    1,050,085      $  4,203,451      $  2,297,699
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
 operating activities:
    Minority interest in net income (loss) of subsidiary                  44,876                             (98,990)
    Depreciation expense                                                 291,000           374,640           700,809
    Amortization expense                                                 189,442           243,479           621,230
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects 
      of acquisitions:
      Accounts receivable                                             (3,824,978)       (1,803,642)       (6,102,802)
      Inventory                                                          (62,371)       (1,717,576)        2,279,468
      Prepaid expenses and other current assets                         (289,199)         (677,727)          (10,190)
      Accounts payable and accrued expenses                            6,819,706        11,059,511         1,894,504
      Deferred tax asset                                                (282,300)       (2,762,149)           48,911
      Net change in other operating assets and liabilities               158,348           290,894          (464,152)
                                                                ------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities                              4,094,609         9,210,881         1,166,487

Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of equipment and leasehold improvements                        (425,828)         (631,506)         (620,474)
Purchases of businesses                                                  563,350        (1,446,626)      (11,235,800)
Repayment of note receivable                                              36,546
                                                                ------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities                      174,068        (2,078,132)      (11,856,274)

Cash flows from financing activities
Borrowings under lines of credit                                      53,253,293        31,947,021         9,619,198
Repayments under lines of credit                                     (54,480,876)      (32,967,789)      (10,079,672)
Purchase of treasury stock                                                                                  (375,633)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock                                              18,067,889           105,172
                                                                ------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities                   (1,227,583)       17,047,121          (730,935)
                                                                ------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                   3,041,094        24,179,870       (11,420,722)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                           480,813         3,521,907        27,701,777
                                                                ------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year                          $    3,521,907     $  27,701,777    $   16,281,055
                                                                ======================================================
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.
                                       F-4

<PAGE>


                  Programmer's Paradise, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

                                December 31, 1996


1.  Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation and Operations

The  consolidated  financial  statements  include the  accounts of  Programmer's
Paradise,   Inc.,  its   wholly-owned   subsidiaries   and  its   majority-owned
subsidiaries  (the  "Company").  The  Company  is a  marketer  of  software  for
microcomputers,  servers  and  networks,  with a  focus  on  providing  software
products, known as technical software, to people who design, program and support
software,  operating  through  three  distribution  channels-catalog,  corporate
reseller and wholesale distribution.  All intercompany balances and transactions
have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company's accounts  receivable are potentially  exposed to concentrations of
credit risk. These receivables reflect a broad customer base, which is dispersed
across many different industries and geographies. Credit limits, periodic credit
evaluations and account monitoring  procedures are utilized to minimize the risk
of loss. Collateral is generally not required. Credit losses related to accounts
receivable   have  been   consistent   with   management's   expectations   and,
historically,  have not been material. The carrying value of accounts receivable
and notes payable to banks approximate fair value.

Major Customer and Supplier

Sales to one customer were $8.8 million,  or 12.4% of net sales in 1994. In 1995
and 1996 no single customer exceeded 10% of net sales.

The Company has authorized  dealership or  distribution  agreements with various
suppliers.  Products of one of these suppliers  accounted for approximately 39%,
46% and 47% of Company revenues for 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company  considers all highly liquid  short-term  investments  with original
maturities of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents.

Foreign Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities of the foreign subsidiaries,  all of which are located in
Europe, have been translated at current exchange rates, and related revenues and
expenses have been  translated at average rates of exchange in effect during the
year.  Resulting  cumulative  translation  adjustments  have been  recorded as a
separate component of stockholders' equity.

                                      F-5

<PAGE>


                  Programmer's Paradise, Inc. and Subsidiaries

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)



1.  Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial  statements in conformity  with generally  accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the amounts reported in the financial  statements and accompanying notes.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Inventory

Inventory,  consisting primarily of finished products held for resale, is stated
at the lower of cost (weighted average) or market.

Equipment and Leasehold Improvements

Equipment  and  leasehold  improvements  are  stated at cost.  Depreciation  and
amortization  are calculated using the  straight-line  method over three to five
years.

Accounting for Long-Lived Assets

The Company records  impairment  losses on long-lived  assets used in operations
when events and circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired and the
undiscounted  cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than
the  carrying  amounts of those  assets.  No such  events  have  occurred  since
adoption at January 1, 1995.

Goodwill

Goodwill  represents the excess of costs over fair values of net assets acquired
and is being  amortized  on a  straight-line  basis  substantially  over fifteen
years.

Stock-Based Compensation

As permitted by FASB Statement No. 123 "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation"
(FASB 123), the Company has elected to follow Accounting Principal Board Opinion
No.  25,  "Accounting  for  Stock  Issued  to  Employees"  (APB 25) and  related
interpretations in accounting for its employee stock option plans. Under APB 25,
no  compensation  expense is  recognized at the time of option grant because the
exercise  price of the  Company's  employee  stock option equals the fair market
value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant.

                                      F-6

<PAGE>


1.  Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Revenue Recognition

The Company  recognizes  revenue from the sale of software  for  microcomputers,
servers and networking upon shipment.

Advertising Costs

Non-reimbursed  advertising costs were expensed when incurred prior to 1995. The
Company adopted the Statement of Position 93-7 "Reporting on Advertising  Costs"
in 1995. The effect of adoption of the Statement did not have a material  effect
on the Company's financial position or results of operations because publication
of new catalogs occur  frequently  during the year. The  unamortized  balance of
non-reimbursed  advertising  costs at any  period end are  minimal.  Advertising
costs for 1994, 1995, and 1996 amounted to approximately $3,406,000,  $3,320,000
and $5,571,000, respectively.

Income Taxes

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities  arise from  differences  between the
tax basis of assets or liabilities and the amount  reported in the  consolidated
financial statements.

Net Income Per Common Share

The net income per common share is computed using the weighted average number of
common  shares and  common  share  equivalents  outstanding  during the  period,
assuming the exercise of common stock options  using the treasury  stock method.
Stock  options  granted by the  Company  during the  twelve  months  immediately
preceding  the date of the initial  filing by the Company of its initial  public
offering have been included in the  calculation  of the shares used in computing
net income per common share as if they were  outstanding  throughout  the entire
period for all periods presented.

Reclassification

Certain 1994 and 1995  financial  statement  amounts have been  reclassified  to
conform to 1996 presentation.

2.  Acquisitions

In June  1994,  the  Company  acquired  90% of the  outstanding  stock  of ISP*D
International  Software  Partners GmbH and its  subsidiary  ("ISP*D"),  computer
software resellers

                                       F-7

<PAGE>


2.  Acquisitions (continued)

located  in  Germany  and  Austria.   In  connection   with  this   transaction,
approximately  $429,000 of transaction and other costs were recorded. In January
1995,  the Company  exercised  its option to purchase the remaining 10% of ISP*D
for cash and  shares  of the  Company's  common  stock  amounting  to  $134,000.
Additional  consideration  equal to  approximately  $170,000  was  issued to the
seller as a result of the  reduction in certain  guarantees  of debt of ISP*D in
May 1995.

In March 1995, the Company made a final payment of $125,000 to the former owners
of South Mountain  Software,  Inc., in connection  with the 1992  acquisition of
certain assets and assumption of certain liabilities thereof.

In  December  1995,  the  Company  acquired  100% of the  outstanding  stock  of
Systematika Limited,  doing business as System Science ("System Science"),  at a
cost of  approximately  $1,540,000.  System  Science is a reseller of  technical
software  in the United  Kingdom  and is the  publisher  of the  System  Science
catalog.

In January 1996,  the Company's  wholly-owned  French  subsidiary,  Programmer's
Paradise France SARL, acquired a majority-owned  interest in ISP*F International
Software Partners SA (ISP*F),  a newly formed full service corporate reseller of
PC software,  based in Paris. The Company's  capital  contribution in connection
with the acquisition of ISP*F is approximately $1,214,000.

In June 1996, the Company acquired  substantially all of the assets and business
of  The  Software  Developer's  Company,  Inc.  (SDC)  for  cash  at a  cost  of
approximately  $11,000,000.  SDC had  been the  Company's  largest  direct  mail
competitor, offering a similar array of technical software.

The Company accounted for the above acquisitions as purchases.  Accordingly, the
acquired assets and liabilities assumed have been recorded at the estimated fair
values at the dates of  acquisition.  The results of  operations of the acquired
businesses are included in the  accompanying  consolidated  statements of income
from their respective dates of acquisition.

                                      F-8
<PAGE>


2.  Acquisitions (continued)

The following  table  presents the unaudited pro forma  consolidated  results of
operations  for  the  three  years  ended  December  31,  1996  as if the  above
acquisitions had occurred on January 1 of the year preceding the acquisition:

                                    1994           1995             1996
                                 ----------------------------------------------
Sales                              $83,877,000    $145,575,000    $152,035,000
Net income                           1,170,000       7,630,000       3,599,000
Net income per common share              $.37            $1.86            $.69

The pro forma amounts reflect  amortization of the excess of purchase price over
the net assets  acquired,  the  reduction in  operating  expenses as a result of
combining the  operations,  the reduction in interest  income as a result of the
utilization  of cash and the  related tax effect of these  items.  The pro forma
results are not  necessarily  indicative of the results of operations that would
have occurred had the  acquisitions  taken place at the beginning of the periods
presented  nor are they  intended to be  indicative of results that may occur in
the future.

3.  Notes Payable to Banks

Notes payable to banks represent the outstanding  balance under a U.S. revolving
line of credit,  lines of credit with  Italian and French  banks and a term loan
with a German bank.

The limit under the U.S. revolving line of credit is the lesser of $4,000,000 or
the sum of 80% of its  eligible  accounts  receivable  and  50% of its  eligible
inventory,  as defined.  The facility  expires in June of 1997 and is secured by
all of the domestic assets of the Company and contains  certain  covenants which
require  the  Company to  maintain  a minimum  level of  tangible  net worth and
working capital.  The line of credit prohibits the payment of cash dividends and
contains certain  restrictions on the Company's ability to make loans or acquire
interests in other  entities  without the prior consent of the lender.  Advances
under the domestic  revolving  line of credit bear  interest at the bank's prime
rate plus .50%, and are due on demand.  The commitment fee on the unused portion
of the line is .5% per annum.  The bank's  prime rate was 8.25% at December  31,
1996.  In  connection  with the  System  Science  acquisition  (see Note 2), the
Company has utilized  approximately  $1,350,000 under the U.S. revolving line of
credit which was  converted  to a five year term loan bearing  interest at LIBOR
(6.62% at December 31, 1996) plus 2%, of which $300,000 is classified as current
in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

                                      F-9

<PAGE>


3.  Notes Payable to Banks (continued)

A revolving line of credit in Germany is secured by ISP*D  accounts  receivable,
inventory and up to $180,000 (DM 300,000) by the domestic assets of the Company.
The limit under the line is  approximately  $645,000 (DM  1,000,000) at December
31, 1996.  The line bears  interest at 8.25%.  As of December 31, 1996,  none of
this line had been utilized.

Unsecured lines of credit in Italy,  which are denominated in Italian lire, bear
interest at market interest rates (ranging from 11.00% to 14.60% at December 31,
1996) and are  payable on  demand.  The limit  under the lines is  approximately
$2,080,000 (Lire 3,200,000,000).  As of December 31, 1996, none of this line had
been utilized.

The German term loan has an outstanding  balance of  approximately  $645,000 (DM
1,000,000)  at December  31, 1996,  and matures in March 1997.  The term loan is
secured by all accounts  receivable and inventory of ISP*D and bears an interest
rate of 4.35%.

The line of credit  in  France  is  secured  by ISP*F  accounts  receivable  and
inventory  and a 3,000,000  French franc  letter of credit.  The limit under the
line is approximately  $382,000 (FRF  2,000,000),  bearing interest at a rate of
6.78%. At December 31, 1996,  approximately  $190,000 (FRF 992,542) of this line
has been utilized.

The weighted average interest rate for notes payable to banks was 9.80%,  12.80%
and 10.10% at December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively.

Interest paid was  approximately  $475,000,  $290,000 and $343,000 for the years
ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively.

4.  Balance Sheet Details

Equipment and leasehold improvements consists of:

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

Equipment                                     $1,670,594$     2,967,205
Leasehold improvements                           322,973        295,089
                                          -------------------------------
                                               1,993,567      3,262,294
Less accumulated depreciation                   (866,585)    (1,567,394)
                                          -------------------------------
                                              $1,126,982$     1,694,900
                                          ===============================

                                      F-10

<PAGE>


4.  Balance Sheet Details (continued)

Accounts payable and accrued expenses consists of the following:

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

Trade accounts payable                $10,785,444       $11,721,055
Accrued licensing costs                14,033,583        19,038,071
Other accrued expenses                  3,062,003         5,000,934
                                 ------------------------------------
                                      $27,881,030       $35,760,060
                                 ====================================

5.  Income Taxes

The provision (benefit) for income taxes consisted of the following:

                                 Year ended December 31
                          1994            1995            1996
                    --------------------------------------------------

Current:
   Federal             $    30,739    $     445,733       $ 502,617
   State                    80,261          276,400         274,710
   Foreign                  27,926          312,981         164,719
                    --------------------------------------------------
                           138,926        1,035,114         942,046
Deferred:
   Federal                (387,350)      (2,759,603)        473,099
   State                   (63,000)          (2,546)         29,812
   Foreign                 168,050                         (454,000)
                    --------------------------------------------------
                          (282,300)      (2,762,149)         48,911
                    ==================================================
                         $(143,374)     $(1,727,035)      $ 990,957
                    ==================================================


                                      F-11
<PAGE>


5.  Income Taxes (continued)

The reasons for the  difference  between  total tax  expense  (benefit)  and the
amount computed by applying the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate to income
before income taxes are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                Year ended December 31
                                                         1994            1995             1996
                                                   --------------------------------------------------

<S>                                                   <C>             <C>                <C>       
Statutory rate applied to pretax income               $   323,540     $    841,981       $1,084,486
Amortization of goodwill                                   18,984           33,609           38,843
State income taxes, net of benefit
 of federal income taxes                                   11,392          180,744          211,121
Foreign income taxes (benefit) over U.S.
 statutory rate                                            42,825          270,664         (350,296)
Net reduction in amount of valuation allowance
                                                         (565,100)      (3,134,675)
Other items                                                24,985           80,642            6,803
                                                   --------------------------------------------------
  come tax (benefit) expense                            $(143,374)     $(1,727,035)     $   990,957
                                                   ==================================================
</TABLE>

Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets are as follows:

                                            Year ended December 31
                                         1994         1995          1996
                                   ------------------------------------------

Fixed assets                       $      6,148   $   20,928     $    3,842
Accruals and reserves                   541,894      491,918        327,893
Intangibles                               1,578      (36,366)
Contribution carryforwards                  549
Net operating loss carryforwards      3,353,678    2,937,296      3,935,579
Credit carryforwards                     58,015       89,996         25,547
                                   ------------------------------------------
Gross deferred tax assets             3,961,862    3,503,772      4,292,861

Valuation allowance                  (3,324,239)    (138,000)      (976,000)
                                   ------------------------------------------
Net deferred tax asset             $    637,623   $3,365,772     $3,316,861
                                   ===========================================

The valuation allowance was reduced principally in 1994 as a result of utilizing
net operating loss  carryforwards,  and in 1995,  changes in the estimate of the
realizability  of the  deferred  tax asset in future  years based upon  expected
taxable income.

                                      F-12

<PAGE>

5.  Income Taxes (continued)

The  Company has  recorded a U.S.  deferred  tax asset at  December  31, 1996 of
$2,500,000   reflecting   the  benefit  of   $7,400,000   in  federal  tax  loss
carryforwards,   which  expire  in  varying   amounts  between  2000  and  2005.
Realization  is  dependent  on  generating  sufficient  taxable  income prior to
expiration  of the loss  carryforwards.  Although  realization  is not  assured,
management  believes it is more likely than not that all of the net deferred tax
asset  will be  realized.  The  amount  of the  deferred  tax  asset  considered
realizable,  however,  could be reduced in the near term if  estimates of future
taxable income during the carryforward period are reduced. The Company's ability
to utilize these net operating loss carryforwards is restricted to approximately
$1.5 million per year,  as a result of an ownership  change  pursuant to Section
382 of the Internal Revenue Code.

For  financial  reporting  purposes,  income  before  income  taxes and minority
interest includes the following components:

                                      Year ended December 31
                                 1994          1995           1996
                            --------------------------------------------

United States                   $501,143      $2,351,954     $3,010,209
Foreign                          450,444         124,462        179,457
                            --------------------------------------------
                                $951,587      $2,476,416     $3,189,666
                            ============================================

At December 31, 1996,  the Company had  approximately  $1,779,000  net operating
loss  carryforwards  for German income tax  purposes,  $34,000 for UK income tax
purposes, $72,000 for Italian income tax purposes and approximately $503,000 for
French income tax purposes.

Undistributed  earnings  of  the  Company's  foreign  subsidiaries  amounted  to
approximately $563,000 at December 31, 1996. Those earnings are considered to be
indefinitely  reinvested  and,  accordingly,  no provision for U.S.  federal and
state income taxes has been provided thereon.

During the years ended  December  31,  1994,  1995 and 1996,  the  Company  paid
approximately $3,000 , $455,000 and $483,000, respectively, in income taxes.

6.  Non-Cumulative Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock

On March 31, 1995, the outstanding shares of Series A non-cumulative  redeemable
convertible  preferred stock, in accordance with its provisions,  were converted
to 1,674,071 shares of common stock.

                                      F-13

<PAGE>

6.  Non-Cumulative Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (continued)

On July 18,  1995,  the  effective  date of the  initial  public  offering,  all
outstanding  shares of Series B  non-cumulative  redeemable  convertible  senior
preferred  stock, in accordance  with its provisions,  were converted to 450,690
shares of common stock.

7.  Stock Option Plans

The  Company's  1986  Employee  Stock Option Plan,  as amended on June 15, 1994,
provides  for the grant of  options  to  purchase  up to  698,133  shares of the
Company's common stock to employees,  officers and directors of the Company. The
terms of the  options  are for a  maximum  of ten  years  from date of grant and
generally are  exercisable  at an exercise  price equal to but not less than the
fair market value of the common stock on the date that the option is granted.

On April 21, 1995,  the Board of Directors  adopted the Company's  1995 Employee
Stock Plan ("1995 Plan").  The 1995 Plan, as amended on June 11, 1996,  provides
for the grant of  options to  purchase  up to  462,500  shares of the  Company's
common stock to officers,  directors,  employees and consultants of the Company.
The 1995 Plan  requires  that each option shall expire on the date  specified by
the Compensation  Committee,  but not more than ten years from its date of grant
in the case of ISO's and Non-Qualified Options.

On  April  21,  1995,  the  Board  of  Directors   adopted  the  Company's  1995
Non-Employee  Director  Plan ("1995  Director  Plan").  The 1995  Director  Plan
provides  for the grant of  options  to  purchase  up to  112,500  shares of the
Company's  common  stock to persons  who are members of the  Company's  Board of
Directors and not  employees or officers of the Company.  The 1995 Director Plan
requires that options granted  thereunder will expire ten years from the date of
grant. Each option granted under the 1995 Director Plan becomes exercisable over
a five year period, and vests in an installment of 20% of the total option grant
upon  the  expiration  of one  year  from  the  date of the  option  grant,  and
thereafter vests in equal quarterly installments of 5%.

FASB 123 requires pro forma  information  regarding  net income and earnings per
share as if the Company had accounted  for its employee  stock options under the
fair  value  method of that  Statement.  The fair  value for these  options  was
estimated at the date of grant using a  Black-Scholes  option pricing model with
the following weighted average assumptions for 1995 and 1996: risk free interest
rates of 6.28% in both periods, dividend yields of 0%, volatility factors of the
expected market price of the Company's common stock of .61 in both periods,  and
a weighted-average expected life of the option of 5 years.

                                      F-14
<PAGE>


7.  Stock Option Plans (continued)

The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the
fair value of traded options,  which have no vesting  restrictions and are fully
transferable.  In addition,  option valuation models require the input of highly
subjective  assumptions  including the expected stock price volatility.  Because
the  Company's  employee  stock  options  have   characteristics   significantly
different from those of traded options,  and because changes in subjective input
assumptions  can  materially  affect the fair value  estimate,  in  management's
opinion,  the  existing  models do not  necessarily  provide a  reliable  single
measure of the fair value of its employee stock options.

For purposes of pro forma  disclosures,  the estimated fair value of the options
is amortized to expense over the options'  vesting  period.  The  Company's  pro
forma information follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

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

Net income as reported                        $4,203      $2,298
Net income pro forma                           4,081       1,902
Earnings per share, as reported                $1.03        $.44
Earnings per share, pro forma                  $1.04        $.38

The weighted average fair value of options granted during 1995 and 1996 is $2.41
and $3.51, respectively.

                                      F-15

<PAGE>


7.  Stock Option Plans (continued)

Changes during 1995 and 1996 in options  outstanding for the combined plans were
as follows:

                                                               Weighted
                                                  Number       Average
                                                    of         Exercise
                                                 Options        Price
                                              -----------------------------

Outstanding at January 1, 1995                     588,960     $  .55
   Granted in 1995                                 289,000       4.22
   Canceled in 1995                                (64,628)      1.38
   Exercised in 1995                               (89,197)       .36
                                              ---------------
Outstanding at December 31, 1995                   724,135       1.95
   Granted in 1996                                 188,701       5.99
   Canceled in 1996                                (35,097)      5.80
   Exercised in 1996                               (83,975)       .36
                                              ===============
Outstanding at December 31, 1996                   793,764       2.91
                                              ===============
Exercisable at December 31, 1996                   434,278
                                              ===============

Stock options outstanding at December 31, 1996 are summarized as follows:

                                         Weighted 
                      Outstanding         Average        Weighted 
     Range of          Options at         Remaining       Average
     Exercise           December         Contractual      Exercise
      Prices            31, 1996             Life          Price 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------

        $.24                 92,713          4.74          .24
     67 -  1.00             289,775          7.26          .77
   4.00 -  6.00             350,826          8.63         4.69
    6.25 -10.50              60,450          9.73         7.59
                    ------------------
                            793,764
                    ==================

Under the various plans, options that are cancelled can be reissued. At December
31, 1996,  options for 302,800  shares were  available  for grant and  1,267,911
shares were reserved for future issuance.


                                      F-16

<PAGE>


8.  Defined Contribution Pension Plan

Effective January 1, 1992, the Company initiated a defined  contribution pension
plan covering  substantially  all  employees.  Participating  employees may make
contributions to the plan, through payroll  deductions.  Matching  contributions
are made by the  Company  equal  to 50% of the  employee's  contribution  to the
extent  such  employee  contribution  did not  exceed 6% of their  compensation.
During the years ended December 31, 1994,  1995 and 1996,  the Company  expensed
approximately $51,000, $54,000 and $59,000, respectively, related to this plan.

9.  Commitments

The Company leases the space used for its operations and certain equipment under
long-term  operating  leases.  Future minimum rental payments over the remaining
terms of these leases are as follows:

          1997             $      516,767
          1998                    479,193
          1999                    474,192
          2000                    399,710
          2001                          -
                              ===============
                               $1,869,862
                              ===============

Rent  expense  for the  years  ended  December  31,  1994,  1995  and  1996  was
approximately $617,000, $618,000 and $752,000, respectively.

The Company has  royalty  agreements  which  require  payments  based on sale of
certain  products.  Royalty  expense for the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995
and 1996 was approximately  $243,000,  $348,000 and $265,000,  respectively.  In
connection  with a royalty  agreement  with a company  which is  controlled by a
shareholder/member of the Board of Directors of the Company, the Company made an
advance  payment of $250,000 in 1994,  which is included in other  assets in the
consolidated  balance  sheets,  and is being  expensed  based  upon sales of the
related  product.  At December 31, 1996, the unamortized  amount of this payment
was approximately $167,000.

                                      F-17

<PAGE>


10.  Segment and Geographic Information

The Company's single business segment is the marketing of technical software for
microcomputers, servers and networking.

The  following  table  presents  financial  information  based on the  Company's
geographic segments:

                                              Income
                                Net             from        Identifiable
                               Sales          Operations       Assets
                             ----------------------------------------------
                                           (In Thousands)
1995
Italy                          $   9,731     $   (16)        $  5,356
Germany                           41,210         546           21,248
Other foreign                      1,226        (382)           3,183
                            ----------------------------------------------
Total foreign                     52,167         148           29,787

U.S.                              41,119       2,127           28,542
                             ----------------------------------------------
Total                            $93,286      $2,275          $58,329
                             ==============================================

1996
Italy                          $   8,374     $   138         $  4,496
Germany                           49,128         426           26,032
France                             8,924        (738)           4,970
United Kingdom                     4,535         402            2,672
                             ----------------------------------------------
Total foreign                     70,961         228           38,170

U.S.                              56,719       2,708           31,039
                             ----------------------------------------------
Total                           $127,680      $2,936          $69,209
                             ==============================================


                                      F-18
<PAGE>


11.  Statement of Cash Flows - Supplemental Disclosures

The Company has made acquisitions  which are more fully described in Note 2. The
purchase  prices are allocated to the assets  acquired and  liabilities  assumed
based on their fair market values as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

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

<S>                                        <C>           <C>           <C>        
Fair value of assets acquired:
   Current assets excluding cash           $4,813,142    $   563,725   $ 7,207,549
   Fixed assets                                95,000        139,101       675,956
   Other assets, principally goodwill         484,533      1,609,475    10,777,737
   Less liabilities assumed:
     Current liabilities                    4,193,000        731,675     7,248,618
     Other liabilities                      1,200,423
     Notes payable                                                         176,824
     Payable to seller                        562,602         24,000
     Common stock issued to seller                           110,000
                                         -------------------------------------------
Net cash (received) paid                 $   (563,350)    $1,446,626   $11,235,800
                                         ===========================================
</TABLE>

                                      F-19

<PAGE>


                  Programmer's Paradise, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                 Schedule II--Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
                                 (In Thousands)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                         Charged to  Charged in
                                             Beginning    Cost and      Other                    Ending
                Description                   Balance      Expense    Accounts    Deductions     Balance
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                             <C>         <C>        <C>          <C>           <C>
Year ended December 31, 1996:
   Allowances for accounts receivable           $777        $223                    $417           $583
Year ended December 31, 1995:
   Allowances for accounts receivable            842         270      $    2 (1)     337            777
Year ended December 31, 1994:
   Allowances for accounts receivable            375         334         238 (1)     150            842
</TABLE>


(1)  Arose from acquisitions.





















                                      F-20

<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the  requirements  of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the  undersigned  thereunto duly  authorized,  in Shrewsbury,  New
Jersey, on March 28, 1997.


                                         PROGRAMMER'S PARADISE, INC.


                                         By: /s/ Roger Paradis
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Roger Paradis, President


         Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
this  report has been  signed  below by the  following  persons on behalf of the
Registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                       <C>                                             <C>
         SIGNATURE                                        TITLE                                  DATE

                                            Chief Executive Officer                          March 28, 1997
/s/ Roger Paradis                           and Chairman of the Board of Directors
- ------------------------------------
Roger Paradis

                                            Chief Financial and                              March 28, 1997
- -------------------------------------       Accounting Officer
John P. Broderick


- --------------------------------------      Director                                         March 28, 1997
Edwin H. Morgens


- --------------------------------------      Director                                         March 28, 1997
Edward F. Glassmeyer


- --------------------------------------      Director                                         March 28, 1997
Daniel S. Bricklin


- --------------------------------------      Director                                        March 28, 1997
F. Duffield Meyercord



- --------------------------------------      Director                                        March 28, 1997
William Willett
</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE  CONTAINS SUMMARY  FINANCIAL  INFORMATION  EXTRACTED FROM SEC FORM
10-K AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1000
<CURRENCY>                                     US DOLLAR
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                   DEC-31-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                          1
<CASH>                                              16,281
<SECURITIES>                                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                                       27,409 
<ALLOWANCES>                                          (583)
<INVENTORY>                                          4,464
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                    51,614
<PP&E>                                               3,262
<DEPRECIATION>                                       1,567
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                      69,209
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                               39,198
<BONDS>                                                  0
                                    0
                                              0
<COMMON>                                                48
<OTHER-SE>                                          28,797
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                        28,845
<SALES>                                            127,680
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   127,680
<CGS>                                              107,041
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      124,744 
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                       (30)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                         0 
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                (222,890)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                      3,190
<INCOME-TAX>                                           991
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  2,199
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                         2,298
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                          .44
<EPS-DILUTED>                                          .44
        


</TABLE>


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