<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.4



                         REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

         This AGREEMENT made as of the 31st day of March, 2000, by and among
Coho Energy, Inc., a Texas corporation (the "Company"), PPM America Special
Investments Fund, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("PPM SIF"), PPM America
Special Investments CBO II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("PPM CBO", and
collectively with PPM SIF, "PPM"), Appaloosa Management L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership ("Appaloosa Management") as agent and on behalf of certain funds
including Appaloosa Investment Limited Partnership I, a Delaware limited
partnership ("AILP"), Palomino Fund Ltd., a British Virgin Islands company
("Palomino") and Tersk LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("Tersk" and,
collectively with Palomino, AILP and Appaloosa Management, "Appaloosa"),
Pacholder Associates, Inc., an Ohio corporation ("Pacholder Associates") as
agent and on behalf of certain funds including Pacholder Value Opportunity Fund,
L.P. ("Pacholder Value"), High Yield Fund, Inc. ("Pacholder Fund"), One Group
High Yield Bond ("One Group") and Evangelical Lutheran Church In America Board
of Pensions ("ELC," and together with One Group, Pacholder Fund, Pacholder Value
and Pacholder Associates, "Pacholder") and Oaktree Capital Management, LLC, a
California limited liability company ("Oaktree Capital") as general partner of
and investment manager for the entities set forth on Schedule I (Oaktree Capital
and such entities, collectively, "Oaktree"). PPM, Appaloosa, Oaktree, and
Pacholder are collectively referred to herein as the "Investors". PPM, Appaloosa
and Oaktree are collectively referred to herein as the "Old Noteholder
Investors".

         WHEREAS, pursuant to the Company's First Amended Joint Plan of
Reorganization dated March 20, 2000 under Chapter 11 of the United States
Bankruptcy Code (Case No. 399-35929-HCA-11 in the United States Bankruptcy Court
for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division) (the "Plan"), each of the
Old Noteholder Investors has agreed to convert on the effective date of the Plan
all of the Company's 8-7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the "Old Notes")
owned by such Old Noteholder Investor into shares of the reorganized Company's
common stock, par value $.01 per share ("Common Stock"); and

         WHEREAS, it is a condition precedent to the obligation of each of the
Old Noteholder Investors to convert the Old Notes owned by such Old Noteholder
Investors into shares of Common Stock pursuant to the terms of the Plan that the
Company and the Old Noteholder Investors enter into a Registration Rights
Agreement with respect to the shares of Common Stock to be acquired by the Old
Noteholder Investors either as a result of the conversion of their Old Notes in
accordance with the terms of the Plan or otherwise; and

         WHEREAS, pursuant to a Note Agreement dated as of the date hereof (the
"Note Agreement") by and among the Company, certain affiliates of the Company
and the Investors, the Investors have agreed, among other things, to purchase
from the Company $72,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company's 15%
Senior Subordinated Notes due March 31, 2007 (the "New Notes"); and

         WHEREAS, in connection with the Investors' purchase of the New Notes,
the Company has agreed pursuant to the terms of a Securities Purchase Agreement
dated as of the




<PAGE>   2

date hereof by and among the Company, certain affiliates of the Company and the
Investors (the "Securities Purchase Agreement") to issue to each of the
Investors shares of Common Stock; and

         WHEREAS, it is a condition precedent to the obligation of the Investors
to purchase the New Notes pursuant to the Note Agreement that the Company and
the Investors enter into a Registration Rights Agreement with respect to the
shares of Common Stock to be acquired by the Investors, pursuant to the terms of
the Securities Purchase Agreement.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein
contained and other valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which
is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

         1. Definitions. The following terms shall be used in this Agreement
with the following respective meanings:

         "Affiliate" means (i) any Person directly or indirectly controlling,
controlled by or under common control with another Person; (ii) any Person
owning or controlling ten (10%) percent or more of the outstanding voting
securities of such other Person; (iii) any officer, director or partner of such
Person; and (iv) if such Person is an officer, director or partner, any such
company for which such Person acts in such capacity.

         "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any other
federal agency at the time administering the Securities Act.

         "Common Stock" means and includes (a) the Company's Common Stock, $.01
par value per share and (b) any other securities into which or for which the
securities described in (a) above may be converted or exchanged pursuant to a
plan of recapitalization, reorganization, merger, sale of assets or otherwise.

         "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or any
successor Federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission (or
of any other Federal agency then administering the Exchange Act) thereunder, all
as the same shall be in effect at the time.

         "Holder" means any holder of Registrable Stock.

         "NASD" means the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.

         "Person" means any natural person, partnership, corporation or other
legal entity.

         "Registrable Stock" means (a) the Common Stock issued or issuable to
any Investor in accordance with the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement,
(b) all Common Stock issued or issuable to any Old Noteholder Investor in
accordance with the Plan, (c) all Common Stock now or hereafter owned by any
Investor which is acquired otherwise than pursuant to the terms of the
Securities Purchase Agreement or pursuant to the terms of the Plan so long as it
is held by any Investor or an Affiliate of any Investor and (d) any other shares
of Common Stock or other securities issued in respect of such shares by way of a
stock dividend, or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares,
recapitalization, merger or consolidation or reorganization; provided, however,
that such shares of Common Stock shall



                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3

cease to be Registrable Stock when (i) a registration statement with respect to
the sale of such securities shall have become effective under the Securities Act
and such securities shall have been disposed of in accordance with the plan of
distribution set forth in such registration statement, (ii) such securities
shall have been distributed in accordance with Rule 144 (or any successor
provision) under the Securities Act, or (iii) such securities shall have been
otherwise transferred, new certificates therefor not bearing a legend
restricting further transfer shall have been delivered in exchange therefor by
the Company and the subsequent disposition of such shares shall not require
registration or qualification under the Securities Act or any similar state law
then in force.

         "Registration Statement" means a registration statement filed by the
Company with the Commission for a public offering and sale of securities of the
Company (other than a registration statement on Form S-8, Form S-4, or successor
forms, or any registration statement covering only securities proposed to be
issued in exchange for securities or assets of another corporation).

         "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, or any successor
Federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission (or of any
other Federal agency then administering the Securities Act) thereunder, all as
the same shall be in effect at the time.

         2. Shelf Registration.

                  (a) The Company shall use its best efforts to cause to be
         filed pursuant to Rule 415 (or any successor provision) of the
         Securities Act not later than January 31, 2001 a Shelf Registration
         Statement relating to the offer and sale of the Registrable Stock by
         the Holders from time to time (the "Shelf Registration Statement") in
         accordance with the methods of distribution elected by such Holders and
         set forth in such Shelf Registration Statement. The Company shall use
         its best efforts to cause the Shelf Registration Statement to be
         declared effective on or before March 31, 2001 and to cause the Shelf
         Registration Statement to remain effective until the earliest of (i)
         such time as all shares of Registrable Stock have been sold thereunder,
         (ii) three years after its effective date and (iii) such time as all of
         the Registrable Stock can be sold by the Holders thereof without
         restriction under the Securities Act. In connection with the Shelf
         Registration Statement, (i) the Company shall furnish to the Holders,
         prior to the filing with the Commission, a copy of the Shelf
         Registration Statement and shall use its best efforts to reflect in
         such document when filed with the Commission, such comments as the
         Holders may reasonably propose, (ii) the Company shall make available
         all material customary for reasonable due diligence examinations in
         connection with the Shelf Registration Statement, (iii) the Company
         shall enter into such agreements as are appropriate, customary and
         reasonably necessary in connection with the Shelf Registration
         Statement, and (iv) the Company shall make such representations and
         warranties to the Holders of Registrable Stock (and any underwriters
         participating in any offering and sale to be made pursuant to the Shelf
         Registration Statement) as are customary in connection with the Shelf
         Registration Statement.




                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4

                  (b) During any consecutive 365-day period, the Company shall
         be entitled to suspend the availability of the Shelf Registration
         Statement for up to two 30 consecutive-day periods if the Company's
         Board of Directors determines in its reasonable good faith judgment
         that there is a valid business purpose for such suspension and provides
         notice to the Holders that such determination was made by the Company's
         Board; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, if the
         Company shall furnish to the Holders a certificate signed by the
         President of the Company stating that in the good faith reasonable
         judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company after consultation
         with outside counsel, the Company would be required in order to comply
         with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated
         thereunder to disclose in the Shelf Registration Statement or in an
         amendment or supplement thereto material non-public information
         relating to the Company which the Company has a bona fide business
         purpose for preserving as confidential or to make any disclosure in the
         Shelf Registration Statement or in an amendment or supplement thereto
         that would interfere with an existing or anticipated acquisition or
         financing with respect to the Company, then the Company shall have the
         right to suspend the availability of the Shelf Registration Statement
         until the earliest of (i) the date upon which such material information
         is disclosed to the public or ceases to be material, (ii) the date upon
         which such acquisition or financing is consummated or, if earlier, the
         date upon which any such interference with such existing or anticipated
         acquisition or financing would no longer exist, or (iii) forty-five
         (45) days after the date of such written notice to the Holders;
         provided, however, that the Company may not utilize this suspension
         right more than once in any twelve-month period.

         3. Demand Registration.

                  (a) At any time after March 31, 2001, the Holder or Holders of
         at least ten (10%) percent of all Registrable Stock then outstanding
         (the "Initiating Holders") may, subject to the provisions of Section
         3(b) hereof, by notice in writing to the Company request the Company to
         register under the Securities Act all or any portion of shares of
         Registrable Stock held by such Initiating Holder or Holders for sale in
         the manner specified in such notice. Notwithstanding anything to the
         contrary contained herein, the Company shall not be required to seek to
         cause a Registration Statement to become effective pursuant to this
         Section 3: (A) within a period of 90 days after the effective date of a
         Registration Statement filed by the Company, provided that the Company
         shall use commercially reasonably efforts to cause a registration
         requested hereunder to be declared effective promptly following such
         period if such request is made during such period; or (B) if the
         Company shall furnish to the Initiating Holder or Holders a certificate
         signed by the President of the Company stating that in the good faith
         reasonable judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company after
         consultation with outside counsel, the filing of a Registration
         Statement would, at such time require the disclosure of material
         non-public information relating to the Company which, the Company has a
         bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential or interfere
         with an existing or anticipated acquisition or financing with respect
         to the Company, then




                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5

         the Company's obligations under this Section 3 shall be deferred until
         the earliest of (i) the date upon which such material information is
         disclosed to the public or ceases to be material, (ii) the date upon
         which such acquisition or financing is consummated or, if earlier, the
         date upon which any such interference with such existing or anticipated
         acquisition or financing would no longer exist, or (iii) forty-five
         (45) days after the date of receipt of written request from such
         Initiating Holder or Holders; provided, however, that the Company may
         not utilize this deferral right more than once in any twelve-month
         period.

                  (b) Following receipt of any notice given under this Section 3
         by the Initiating Holders, the Company shall immediately notify in
         writing all Holders that such registration is to be effected and shall
         use commercially reasonable efforts to register under the Securities
         Act for public sale in accordance with the method of disposition
         specified in such notice from requesting Holders, the number of shares
         of Registrable Stock specified in such notice (and in all notices
         received by the Company pursuant hereto). Holders, other than the
         Initiating Holders, shall notify the Company of their desire to
         participate in the registration within twenty (20) days of the
         Company's notice to them. The Company shall use commercially reasonable
         efforts to cause a Registration Statement with respect to the
         Registrable Stock which Holders have requested be registered pursuant
         to this Section 3 no later than forty-five (45) days after receiving
         the notice pursuant to Section 3(a) of the Initiating Holders. The
         Company shall designate the managing underwriter of such offering,
         subject to the approval of the Holders of a majority of the shares of
         Registrable Stock to be sold in such offering, which approval shall not
         be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Each Investor shall have the right
         to request the registration of Registrable Stock pursuant to this
         Section 3 on three occasions only, provided, however, that the
         Company's obligation to register the Registrable Stock pursuant to this
         Section 3 in response to a particular request shall be deemed satisfied
         only when a Registration Statement or Registration Statements covering
         all shares of Registrable Stock, specified in notices received as
         aforesaid and which have not been withdrawn by the Holders thereof, for
         sale in accordance with the method of disposition specified by the
         Initiating Holders, shall have become effective. A registration which
         does not become effective after the Company has filed a Registration
         Statement with respect thereto solely by reason of the refusal of the
         Initiating Holders to proceed shall be deemed to have been effected by
         the Company at the request of such Initiating Holders unless the
         registration was withdrawn at the request of the Holders of a majority
         of the Registrable Stock to be sold in such offering upon learning of a
         material adverse change in the condition, business or prospects of the
         Company from that known to such Holders at the time of their request
         that makes the proposed offering unreasonable in the good faith
         judgment of a majority in interest of such Holders.

                  (c) If the Registration Statement is to cover an underwritten
         distribution and in the good faith judgment of the managing underwriter
         of such public offering the inclusion of all of the Registrable Stock
         requested for inclusion pursuant to this Section 3 would interfere with
         the successful marketing of a




                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6

         smaller number of shares to be offered, then the number of shares of
         Registrable Stock to be included in the offering shall be reduced to
         the required level with the participation in such offering to be
         reduced pro rata among the Holders requesting such registration, based
         upon the number of shares of Registrable Stock requested to be included
         in such registration owned by such Holders. Except for registration
         statements on Form S-4, S-8 or any successors thereto, the Company will
         not file with the Commission any other registration statement with
         respect to its Common Stock, whether for its own account or that of
         other stockholders, from the date of receipt of a notice from the
         Initiating Holders pursuant to this Section 3 until the completion of
         the period of distribution of the registration contemplated thereby.

         4. Piggyback Registration. Each time the Company shall determine to
file a Registration Statement in connection with the proposed offer and sale for
money of any of its securities by it or any of its security holders, the Company
will give written notice thereof to all Holders. Upon the written request of one
or more Holder(s) given within twenty (20) days after the giving of any such
notice by the Company, the Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to
cause all shares of Registrable Stock, the Holders of which have so requested
registration thereof, to be included in such Registration Statement, all to the
extent requisite to permit the sale or other disposition by the prospective
seller or sellers of the Registrable Stock to be so registered, provided that
if, at any time after giving written notice of its intention to register any
securities and prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement filed
in connection with such registration, the Company shall determine for any reason
not to register or to delay registration of such securities, the Company may, at
its election, give written notice of such determination to each such holder of
Registrable Stock and, thereupon, (i) in the case of a determination not to
register, shall be relieved of its obligation to register any Registrable Stock
in connection with such registration (but not from its obligation to pay any and
all expenses in connection therewith as specified in Section 7 hereof), and (ii)
in the case of a determination to delay registering, shall be permitted to delay
registering any Registrable Stock, for the same period as the delay in
registering such other securities. If the Registration Statement is to cover an
underwritten distribution, the Company shall cause the Registrable Stock
requested for inclusion pursuant to this Section 4 to be included in the
underwriting on the same terms and conditions as the securities otherwise being
sold through the underwriters. If, in the good faith judgment of the managing
underwriter of such public offering, the inclusion of all of the Registrable
Stock requested for inclusion pursuant to this Section 4 would interfere with
the successful marketing of a smaller number of shares to be offered, then the
number of shares of Registrable Stock and other securities to be included in the
offering shall be reduced to the required level by first excluding securities of
any securityholder (other than the Company and the Holders) who proposes to
offer or sell securities in the registered offering, and then excluding on a pro
rata basis among the Company, and each Holder of Registrable Stock requesting
such registration based on the number of shares of Registrable Stock or other
securities the Company and each such Holder proposes to offer or sell in the
registered offering.

         5. Registration on Form S-3.

         If at any time after the date hereof, (i) a Holder or Holders request
that the Company file a registration statement on Form S-3 or any successor
thereto for a public offering of all or any portion of the shares of Registrable
Stock held by such requesting Holder or




                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7

Holders, and (ii) the Company is a registrant entitled to use Form S-3 or any
successor thereto to register such shares, then the Company shall use
commercially reasonably efforts to register under the Securities Act on Form S-3
or any successor thereto, for public sale in accordance with the method of
disposition specified in such notice, the number of shares of Registrable Stock
specified in such notice. Whenever the Company is required by this Section 5 to
use commercially reasonable efforts to effect the registration of Registrable
Stock, each of the procedures, requirements and limitations of Section 3 not
otherwise addressed in this Section 5 (including but not limited to the
requirement that the Company notify all Holders from whom notice has not been
received and provide them with the opportunity to participate in the offering
and the requirements of subparagraph (b) of Section 3 but not including the
limitations on the number of registrations the Company is obligated to make
under subparagraph (b) of Section 3) shall apply to such registration. There
shall be no limit on the number of registrations of Registrable Stock which the
Company shall be obligated to effect pursuant to this Section 5.

         6. Registration Procedures. If and whenever the Company is required by
the provisions of Section 2, 3, 4 or 5 hereof to effect the registration of
shares of Registrable Stock under the Securities Act, the Company will, at its
expense, as expeditiously as possible:

                  (a) In accordance with the Securities Act and the rules and
         regulations of the Commission, prepare and file with the Commission a
         Registration Statement with respect to the Registrable Stock and use
         its best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become
         effective as promptly as possible and to remain effective until the
         Registrable Stock covered by such Registration Statement has been sold,
         but (other than in the case of the Shelf Registration Statement) for no
         longer than twelve (12) months subsequent to the effective date of such
         Registration Statement, and prepare and file with the Commission such
         amendments to such Registration Statement and supplements to the
         prospectus contained therein as may be necessary to keep such
         Registration Statement effective and such Registration Statement and
         prospectus accurate and complete until the Registrable Stock covered by
         such Registration Statement has been sold, but (other than in the case
         of the Shelf Registration Statement) for no longer than twelve (12)
         months subsequent to the effective date of such Registration Statement;

                  (b) If the offering is to be underwritten in whole or in part,
         enter into a written underwriting agreement in form and substance
         reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriter, if any, of the
         public offering and the Holders participating in such offering;

                  (c) Furnish to the participating Holders and to the
         underwriters such reasonable number of copies of the Registration
         Statement, preliminary prospectus, final prospectus and such other
         documents as such underwriters and participating Holders may reasonably
         request in order to facilitate the public offering of such securities;

                  (d) Use commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify
         the Registrable Stock covered by such Registration Statement under such
         state




                                      -7-
<PAGE>   8

         securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions (i) as shall be
         reasonably appropriate for the distribution of the Registrable Stock
         covered by such Registration Statement or (ii) as such participating
         Holders and underwriters may reasonably request within ten (10) days
         following the original filing of such Registration Statement, except
         that the Company shall not for any purpose be required to execute a
         general consent to service of process, to subject itself to taxation,
         or to qualify to do business as a foreign corporation in any
         jurisdiction where it is not so qualified;

                  (e) Notify the Holders participating in such registration,
         promptly after it shall receive notice thereof, of the date and time
         when such Registration Statement and each post-effective amendment
         thereto has become effective or a supplement to any prospectus forming
         a part of such Registration Statement has been filed with the
         Commission;

                  (f) Notify the Holders participating in such registration
         promptly of any request by the Commission or any state securities
         commission or agency for the amending or supplementing of such
         Registration Statement or prospectus or for additional information;

                  (g) Prepare and file with the Commission, promptly upon the
         request of any such participating Holders, any amendments or
         supplements to such Registration Statement or prospectus which, in the
         opinion of counsel representing the Company in such Registration (and
         which counsel is reasonably acceptable to such participating Holders),
         is required under the Securities Act or the rules and regulations
         thereunder in connection with the distribution of the Registrable Stock
         by such participating Holders, but (other than in the case of the Shelf
         Registration Statement) for no longer than twelve (12) months
         subsequent to the effective date of such registration;

                  (h) Prepare and promptly file with the Commission, and
         promptly notify such participating Holders of the filing of, such
         amendments or supplements to such Registration Statement or prospectus
         as may be necessary to correct any statements or omissions if, at the
         time when a prospectus relating to such Registrable Stock is required
         to be delivered under the Securities Act, any event has occurred as the
         result of which any such prospectus or any other prospectus as then in
         effect would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
         state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
         make the statements therein not misleading;

                  (i) In case any of such participating Holders or any
         underwriter for any such Holders is required to deliver a prospectus at
         a time when the prospectus then in circulation is not in compliance
         with the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission,
         prepare promptly upon request of any such participating Holders such
         amendments or supplements to such Registration Statement and such
         prospectus as may be necessary in order for such prospectus





                                      -8-
<PAGE>   9

         to comply with the requirements of the Securities Act and such rules
         and regulations;

                  (j) Advise such participating Holders promptly after it shall
         receive notice or obtain knowledge of the issuance of any stop order by
         the Commission or any state securities commission or agency suspending
         the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or the initiation or
         threatening of any proceeding for that purpose and promptly use its
         best efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or to obtain its
         withdrawal if such stop order should be issued;

                  (k) At the request of any such participating Holder (i)
         furnish to such Holder, if such registration includes an underwritten
         public offering, at the closing provided for in the underwriting
         agreement, copies of any opinion, dated such date, of the counsel
         representing the Company for the purposes of such registration,
         addressed to the underwriters, if any, covering such matters with
         respect to the Registration Statement, the prospectus and each
         amendment or supplement thereto, proceedings under state and Federal
         securities laws, other matters relating to the Company, the securities
         being registered and the offer and sale of such securities as are
         customarily the subject of opinions of issuer's counsel provided to
         underwriters in underwritten public offerings or, if the offering is
         not underwritten, obtain such opinions of counsel to the Company
         addressed to and reasonably satisfactory to the Holders covering such
         matters as are customary in connection with such offering and (ii) use
         commercially reasonable efforts to furnish to such Holder letters dated
         each such effective date and such closing date, from the independent
         certified public accountants of the Company, addressed to the
         underwriters, if any, and to the Holder or Holders making such request,
         stating that they are independent certified public accountants within
         the meaning of the Securities Act and dealing with such matters as the
         underwriters may request, or, if the offering is not underwritten, that
         in the opinion of such accountants the financial statements and other
         financial data of the Company included in the Registration Statement or
         the prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto comply in all
         material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the
         Securities Act, and additionally covering such other financial matters,
         including information as to the period ending not more than five (5)
         business days prior to the date of such letter with respect to the
         Registration Statement and prospectus, as such requesting Holder or
         Holders may reasonably request;

                  (l) Apply for listing and use commercially reasonable efforts
         to list the Registrable Stock being registered on any national
         securities exchange on which a class of the Company's equity securities
         is listed or, if the Company does not have a class of equity securities
         listed on a national securities exchange, apply for qualification and
         use its best efforts to qualify the Registrable Stock being registered
         for inclusion on the automated quotation system of the National
         Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.



                                      -9-
<PAGE>   10

         7. Expenses.

                  (a) With respect to each registration effected pursuant to
         Section 2, 3, 4 or 5 hereof, all fees, costs and expenses of and
         incidental to such registration and the public offering in connection
         therewith shall be borne by the Company; provided, however, that
         Holders and other holders of the Company's stock participating in any
         such registration shall bear their pro rata share of any underwriting
         discounts and selling commissions, and; provided, further, however,
         that notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be liable for
         expenses incurred in connection with any registration that shall not
         have become effective due to a revocation by the Holders of Registrable
         Stock except if such registration was revoked or withdrawn by the
         Holders upon learning of a material adverse change in the condition,
         business or prospectus of the Company from that known to such Holders
         at the time of their request for or to be included in such registration
         that makes the proposed offering unreasonable in the good faith
         judgment of such Holders.

                  (b) The fees, costs and expenses of registration to be borne
         as provided in paragraph (a) above shall include, without limitation,
         all registration, filing and NASD fees, printing expenses, fees and
         disbursements of counsel and accountants for the Company, fees and
         disbursements of counsel for the underwriter or underwriters of such
         securities (if the Company and/or selling security holders are
         otherwise required to bear such fees and disbursements), all legal fees
         and disbursements and other expenses of complying with state securities
         or blue sky laws of any jurisdictions in which the securities to be
         offered are to be registered or qualified, reasonable fees and
         disbursements of one counsel for the selling Holders and the other
         holders of the Company's stock participating in such registration and
         the premiums and other costs of policies of insurance insuring the
         Company against liability arising out of such public offering.

         8. Indemnification and Contribution.

                  (a) To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company will
         indemnify and hold harmless each Holder whose shares of Registrable
         Stock are included in a Registration Statement pursuant to the
         provisions of this Agreement, each director, officer, partner, employee
         and agent of such Holder, and any underwriter (as defined in the
         Securities Act) for such Holder, and any Person who controls such
         Holder or such underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act,
         and each of their successors, from and against, and will reimburse such
         Holder, each director, officer, partner, employee and agent of such
         Holder and each such underwriter, controlling Person and successor with
         respect to, any and all claims, actions, demands, losses, damages,
         liabilities, costs and expenses to which such Holder, such director,
         officer, partner, employee or agent of such Holder or any such
         underwriter, controlling Person or successor may become subject under
         the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such claims, actions,
         demands, losses, damages, liabilities, costs or expenses arise out of
         or are based upon any untrue statement or allegedly untrue statement of
         any material fact contained in such Registration Statement, any
         prospectus contained therein or any amendment or supplement thereto, or
         arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged




                                      -10-
<PAGE>   11

         omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein
         or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or arise out
         of any violation by the Company of any rule or regulation under the
         Securities Act applicable to the Company and relating to action or
         inaction required of the Company in connection with such registration;
         provided, however, that the Company will not be liable in any such case
         to the extent that any such claim, action, demand, loss, damage,
         liability, cost or expense arises out of or is based upon an untrue
         statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission
         so made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished
         by or on behalf of any such Holder, such director, officer, partner,
         employee or agent of such Holder, such underwriter, controlling Person
         or successor in writing specifically for use in the preparation
         thereof, and provided, further, that this indemnity shall not be deemed
         to relieve any underwriter of any of its due diligence obligations; and
         provided further, that if any claim, action, demand, loss, damage,
         liability, cost or expense arises out of or is based upon an untrue
         statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission
         contained in any preliminary prospectus which did not appear in the
         final prospectus and if the Holder delivered a copy of the preliminary
         prospectus to the person alleging damage and failed to deliver a copy
         of the final prospectus to such persons, the Company shall not be
         liable with respect to the claims of such person.

                  (b) Each Holder of shares of Registrable Stock which are
         included in a registration pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement
         will, severally and not jointly, indemnify and hold harmless the
         Company, each of its directors and officers, each underwriter, if any,
         of the Company's securities covered by such registration, each person
         who controls the Company or such underwriter within the meaning of the
         Securities Act, and each other Holder of shares of Registrable Stock
         which are included in the registration, each of the officers,
         directors, partners, employees and agents of each such other Holder and
         each person controlling such other Holder, from and against, and will
         reimburse such parties with respect to, any and all losses, damages,
         liabilities, costs or expenses to which such parties may become subject
         under the Securities Act or otherwise, to the extent that any such
         loss, damage, liability, cost or expense arises out of or is based upon
         any untrue or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained
         therein or any amendment or supplement thereto, or arises out of or is
         based upon any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material
         fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
         therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the
         extent that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or
         omission or alleged omission was so made in reliance upon and in
         conformity with written information furnished by or on behalf of such
         Holder for use in the preparation thereof, provided that the liability
         of each Holder hereunder shall be limited to the proportion of any such
         loss, claim, damage, liability or expense which is equal to the
         proportion that the public offering price of the shares sold by such
         Holder under such Registration Statement bears to the total public
         offering price of all securities sold thereunder, but not in any event
         to exceed the net proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of
         shares of Registrable Stock covered by a Registration Statement; and
         provided, further, that




                                      -11-
<PAGE>   12

         this indemnity shall not be deemed to relieve any underwriter of any of
         its due diligence obligations.

                  (c) Promptly after receipt by a party to be indemnified
         pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 8
         (an "indemnified party") of actual knowledge or notice of the
         commencement of any action involving the subject matter of the
         foregoing indemnity provisions, such indemnified party will, if a claim
         thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party pursuant to the
         provisions of paragraph (a) or (b), notify the indemnifying party of
         the commencement thereof, but the omission so to notify the
         indemnifying party will not relieve it from any liability which it may
         have to an indemnified party otherwise than under this Section 8 and
         shall not relieve the indemnifying party from liability under this
         Section 8 unless such indemnifying party is prejudiced by such
         omission. In case such action is brought against any indemnified party
         and it notifies the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the
         indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the
         extent that it may wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party
         similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel
         reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party, and after notice
         from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election
         so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party will not be
         liable to such indemnified party pursuant to the provisions of such
         paragraphs (a) and (b) for any legal or other expense subsequently
         incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense
         thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation. Notwithstanding
         the foregoing, an indemnified party shall have the right to retain its
         own counsel, with the fees and expenses to be paid by the indemnifying
         party, if representation of such indemnified party by the counsel
         retained by the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual
         or potential differing interests, as reasonably determined by either
         party, between such indemnified party and any other party represented
         by such counsel in such proceeding. No indemnifying party shall be
         liable to an indemnified party for any settlement of any action or
         claim without the consent of the indemnifying party; no indemnifying
         party may unreasonably withhold its consent to any such settlement. No
         indemnifying party will consent to entry of any judgment or enter into
         any settlement which does not include as an unconditional term thereof
         the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a
         release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation.

                  (d) In order to provide for just and equitable contribution to
         joint liability under the Securities Act in any case in which either
         (i) any Holder exercising rights under this Agreement, or any
         controlling Person of any such Holder, makes a claim for
         indemnification pursuant to this Section 8 but it is judicially
         determined (by the entry of a final judgment or decree by a court of
         competent jurisdiction and the expiration of time to appeal or the
         denial of the last right of appeal) that such indemnification may not
         be enforced in such case notwithstanding the fact that this Section 8
         provides for the indemnification in such case or (ii) contribution
         under the Securities Act may be required on the part of any such
         selling Holder or any such controlling Person in circumstances for




                                      -12-
<PAGE>   13

         which indemnification was provided under this Section 8; then, and in
         each case, the Company and each such Holder, will contribute to the
         aggregate losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which they may be
         subject (after contribution from others) in such proportion so that
         such Holder is responsible for the portion represented by the
         percentage that the public offering price of its Registrable Stock
         offered by the Registration Statement bears to the public price of all
         securities offered by such Registration Statement, and the Company is
         responsible for the remaining portion; provided, however, that, in any
         such case, (A) no Person or entity guilty of fraudulent
         misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the
         Securities Act) will be entitled to contribution from any Person or
         entity was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation and (B) no
         Holder will be required to contribute any amount in excess of the net
         proceeds of such holder of such Registrable Stock offered by it
         pursuant to such Registration Statement.

         9. Reporting Requirements Under Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The
Company shall keep effective the registration of its Common Stock under Section
12 of the Exchange Act and shall timely file such information, documents and
reports as the Commission may require or prescribe under Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Exchange Act. The Company shall forthwith upon request furnish any Holder
(i) a written statement by the Company that it has complied with such reporting
requirements, (ii) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the
Company, and (iii) such other reports and documents filed by the Company with
the Commission as such Holder may reasonably request in availing itself of an
exemption for the sale of Registrable Stock without registration under the
Securities Act. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the purposes of the
requirements contained in this Section 9 are (a) to enable any such Holder to
comply with the current public information requirement contained in Paragraph
(c) of Rule 144 under the Securities Act should such Holder ever wish to dispose
of any of the securities of the Company acquired by it without registration
under the Securities Act in reliance upon Rule 144 (or any other similar or
successor exemptive provision), and (b) to qualify the Company for the use of
Registration Statements on Form S-3. In addition, the Company shall take such
other measures and file such other information, documents and reports, as shall
hereafter be required by the Commission as a condition to the availability of
Rule 144 under the Securities Act (or any similar or successor exemptive
provision hereafter in effect) and the use of Form S-3. The Company also
covenants to use its best efforts, to the extent that it is reasonably within
its power to do so, to qualify for the use of Form S-3. The Company agrees to
use its best efforts to facilitate and expedite transfers of Registrable Stock
pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act (or any similar or successor
exemptive provision hereafter in effect), which efforts shall include timely
notice to its transfer agent to expedite such transfers of Registrable Stock.

         10. Stockholder Information. The Company may require each Holder of
Registrable Stock as to which any registration is to be effected pursuant to
this Agreement to furnish the Company in a timely manner such information with
respect to such Holder and the distribution of such Registrable Stock as the
Company may from time to time reasonably request in writing and as shall be
required by law or by the Commission in connection therewith.




                                      -13-
<PAGE>   14

         11. Company Lock-Up. The Company agrees, if so required by the managing
underwriter with respect to any underwritten registration hereunder, not to
sell, make any short sale of, loan, grant any option for the purchase of (other)
than pursuant to employee benefit plans), effect any public sale or distribution
of or otherwise dispose of its equity securities or securities convertible into
or exchangeable or exercisable for any such securities during the 30 days prior
to and the 90 days after any underwritten registration pursuant to Section 2, 3,
4 or 5 hereof has become effective, except as part of such underwritten
registration and except pursuant to registrations on Form S-4 or S-8.


         12. Notices. Any notice required or permitted to be given hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be deemed to be properly given when sent by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, by Federal Express, DHL
or other guaranteed overnight delivery service or by facsimile transmission,
addressed as follows:

         If to the Company:   Coho Energy, Inc.
                              c/o Coho Resources, Inc.
                              14785 Preston Road, Suite 860
                              Dallas Texas 75240
                              Attn.: President
                              Telephone: (972) 774-8300
                              Telecopier: (972) 991-2257

         With copies to:      Fulbright & Jaworski, L.L.P.
                              2200 Ross Avenue
                              Suite 2800
                              Dallas, Texas 75201
                              Attn.: Harva R. Dockery, Esq.
                              Telephone: (214) 855-8000
                              Telecopier: (214) 855-8200

         If to any Investor:  To the address of such Investor set forth on
                              The signature pages hereto

         With a copy to:      Anderson Kill & Olick, P.C.
                              1251 Avenue of the Americas
                              New York, NY 10020-1182
                              Attn: J. Andrew Rahl, Jr.
                              Telephone: (972) 278-1000
                              Telecopier: (212) 278-1733

and if to any other Holder at such Holder's address for notice as set forth in
the register maintained by the Company, or, as to any of the foregoing, to such
other address as any such party may give the others notice of pursuant to this
Section, provided that a change of address shall only be effective upon receipt.

All notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder shall be
deemed to have been received (i) if by hand, at the time of delivery thereof to
the receiving party at the address of




                                      -14-
<PAGE>   15

such party set forth above or as so designated, (ii) if made by telecopy or
facsimile transmission, at the time that receipt thereof has been acknowledged
by electronic confirmation or otherwise, (iii) if sent by overnight courier, on
the next business day following the day such notice is delivered to the courier
service, or (iv) if sent by registered or certified mail, on the fifth business
day following the day such mailing is made.

         13. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed
in accordance with, the substantive laws of the State of Illinois (without
regard to conflict of laws provisions).

         14. Waivers; Amendments. No waiver of any right hereunder by any party
shall operate as a waiver of any other right, or of the same right with respect
to any subsequent occasion for its exercise, or of any right to damages. No
waiver by any party of any breach of this Agreement shall be held to constitute
a waiver of any other breach or a continuation of the same breach. All remedies
provided by this Agreement are in addition to all other remedies provided by
law. The provisions of this Agreement may not be amended except by a writing
executed by the Company and the Holders of at least a majority of the then
outstanding Registrable Stock and the securities convertible into, exchangeable
for or exercisable for Registrable Stock (calculated on an as converted,
exchanged or exercised basis).

         15. Other Registration Rights. So long as any of the registration
rights under this Agreement remain in effect, the Company shall not grant to any
third party any registration rights for any securities of the Company, except
that the Company may grant piggyback registration rights to a third party
related to any registration statement covered by Section 4 hereof provided that
the rights of such third party shall be subject to the rights of the Holders
pursuant to the last sentence of Section 4 hereof.

         16. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
shall inure to the benefit of the respective legal representatives, successors
and assigns of the parties hereto; provided, however, that any person or entity
to which Registrable Shares are proposed to be transferred shall provide prompt
written notice of such proposed transfer to the Company.

         17. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

         18. Prior Understandings and Agreements. This Agreement represents the
complete agreement of the parties with respect to the transactions contemplated
hereby and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings.

         19. Headings. Headings in this Agreement are included for reference
only and shall have no effect upon the construction or interpretation of any
part of this Agreement.

         20. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held to
be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, such illegality, invalidity or
unenforceability shall attach only to such provision and shall not in any manner
affect or render illegal, invalid or unenforceable any other provision of this
Agreement, and this Agreement shall be carried out as if any such illegal,
invalid or unenforceable provision were not contained herein.




                                      -15-
<PAGE>   16

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be
executed by a duly authorized officer, and each Investor has duly executed this
Agreement (or has caused it to be executed by a duly authorized officer,
partner, trustee or agent, as the case may be), as of the date first above
recited.

                                             COHO ENERGY, INC.



                                             By: /s/  Anne Marie O'Gorman
                                                -------------------------------
                                                Name: Anne Marie O'Gorman
                                                Title: Senior Vice President









                       (See counterpart signature pages.)


<PAGE>   17

                               COHO ENERGY, INC.
                         REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

                          *COUNTERPART SIGNATURE PAGE*



PPM AMERICA SPECIAL INVESTMENTS
FUND, L.P.

By: PPM America, Inc., its attorney-in-fact


By: /s/ STUART J. LISSNER
    -------------------------------------------
Name:   STUART J. LISSNER
Title:  Managing Director



PPM AMERICA SPECIAL INVESTMENTS
CBO II, L.P.

By: PPM America, Inc., its attorney-in-fact


By: /s/ STUART J. LISSNER
    -------------------------------------------
Name:   STUART J. LISSNER
Title:  Managing Director

Address:  c/o PPM America, Inc.
          25 West Wacker Drive
          Suite 1200
          Chicago, Illinois 60606
          Attention: Stuart Lissner
          Telephone: (312) 634-2500
          Telecopier: (312) 634-0741


<PAGE>   18
                               COHO ENERGY, INC.
                         REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

                          *COUNTERPART SIGNATURE PAGE*



PACHOLDER VALUE OPPORTUNITY FUND, L.P.

By: Pacholder Associates, Inc., its attorney-in-fact


By: /s/ BRUCE A. FERGUSON
    -------------------------------------------
Name: Bruce A. Ferguson
Title: Senior Vice President

PACHOLDER HIGH YIELD FUND, INC.

By: Pacholder Associates, Inc., its attorney-in-fact


By: /s/ BRUCE A. FERGUSON
    -------------------------------------------
Name: Bruce A. Ferguson
Title: Senior Vice President

ONE GROUP HIGH YIELD BOND FUND

By: Pacholder Associates, Inc., its attorney-in-fact


By: /s/ BRUCE A. FERGUSON
    -------------------------------------------
Name: Bruce A. Ferguson
Title: Senior Vice President


<PAGE>   19



EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
IN AMERICA BOARD OF PENSIONS

By: Pacholder Associates, Inc., its attorney-in-fact


By: /s/ BRUCE A. FERGUSON
    -------------------------------------------
Name: Bruce A. Ferguson
Title: Senior Vice President

Address:  8044 Montgomery Road
          Suite 480
          Cincinnati, Ohio 45236
          Attention: Bruce Ferguson
          Telephone: (513) 985-3200
          Telecopier: (513) 985-3217


<PAGE>   20
                               COHO ENERGY, INC.
                         REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

                          *COUNTERPART SIGNATURE PAGE*



APPALOOSA INVESTMENT LIMITED PARTNERSHIP I


By: Appaloosa Management L.P., its General Partner

By: Appaloosa Partners Inc., its General Partner


By: /s/ RONALD GOLDSTEIN
   ------------------------------------------
Name:   RONALD GOLDSTEIN
Title:  CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER



PALOMINO FUND LTD.

By: Appaloosa Management L.P., its Investment Advisor

By: Appaloosa Partners Inc., its General Partner




By: /s/ RONALD GOLDSTEIN
   ------------------------------------------
Name:   RONALD GOLDSTEIN
Title:  CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER


<PAGE>   21




TERSK LLC


By: Appaloosa Management L.P., its Managing Member

By: Appaloosa Management L.P., its General Partner



By: /s/ RONALD GOLDSTEIN
   ------------------------------------------
Name:   RONALD GOLDSTEIN
Title:  CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Address:  26 Main Street
          Chatham, New Jersey 07928
          Attention: Ronald Goldstein
          Telephone: (973) 701-7000
          Telecopier: (973) 701-7005



<PAGE>   22
                               COHO ENERGY, INC.

                         REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

                          *COUNTERPART SIGNATURE PAGE*



OAKTREE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC, as
  general partner of and investment manager for
  those entities set forth on Schedule 1 hereto


By: /s/ SHELDON STONE
    -----------------------------
        Sheldon Stone
        Principal


By: /s/ TIMOTHY ANDREWS
    -----------------------------
        Timothy Andrews
        Senior Vice President


Address: 333 South Grand Avenue, 28th Floor
         Los Angeles, California  90071
         Attention: Kenneth Liang
         Telephone: (213)830-6422
         Facsimile: (213)830-8522
<PAGE>   23
                                                          [REG RIGHTS AGREEMENT]


                                   SCHEDULE I


                        OAKTREE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           FUND/ACCOUNT                                          PERCENTAGE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                <C>
AAFES Supplemental Deferred Compensation Plan                                      0.2996%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAFES Retiree Medical Dental & Life Insurance Plan                                 0.5492%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAFES Retirement Annuity Basis Plan                                                3.0829%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
California State Automobile Association Inter-Insurance Bureau                     2.4963%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
California State Automobile Association                                            0.2996%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The California Endowment                                                           1.9845%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Canada Life Insurance Company of America                                           0.7489%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Canada Life Assurance Company - CDN                                                1.2481%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Canada Life Assurance Company - USA                                                0.4993%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Howard Hughes Medical Institute                                                    1.4353%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hughes Aircraft Company Master Retirement Trust                                    1.1982%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IBM Retirement Plan - High Yield                                                   1.6975%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Paper Company                                                        1.4978%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
General Board of Pension and Health Benefits of The United Methodist Church        2.4338%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OCM High Yield Fund II, L.P.                                                      15.5642%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OCM High Yield Limited Partnership                                                 4.2561%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OCM High Yield Trust                                                               9.0364%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific Gas & Electric Retirement Plan Master Trust                                3.4448%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific Gas & Electric Company Bargained VEBA                                      0.2496%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RK Mellon Foundation                                                               1.4104%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alexander Hamilton Life Insurance Company of America                               2.5836%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chrysler Corporation Master Retirement Trust                                      10.3595%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dallas Employee Retirement Fund                                                    2.0220%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Common Fund for Nonprofit Organizations                                        2.4963%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delta Air Lines Master Trust - (High Yield)                                        4.5681%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Integon Life Insurance Corporation                                                 0.7988%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System                                           5.0050%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LACERA -High Yield                                                                 8.0130%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
San Diego County Employee's Retirement Association                                 2.3964%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Southwestern Life Insurance Company                                                0.6116%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSM Health Care                                                                    1.2731%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State of Connecticut Combined Investment Funds - HY                                6.4403%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL                                                                            100.0000%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>