<PAGE>
 
                               CREDIT AGREEMENT

                          Dated as of January 8, 1997


                                     among


                            AMERISOURCE CORPORATION
                                 as Borrower,

                        AMERISOURCE HEALTH CORPORATION
                   and Certain Subsidiaries and Affiliates,
                                as Guarantors,

                           THE LENDERS NAMED HEREIN

                                      AND

                              NATIONSBANK, N.A.,
                            as Administrative Agent
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE> 
<S>                                                                                                   <C> 
SECTION 1 DEFINITIONS..................................................................................1
          -----------
    1.1 Definitions....................................................................................1
        -----------
    1.2 Computation of Time Periods...................................................................24
        ---------------------------
    1.3 Accounting Terms..............................................................................24
        ----------------
                                                                             
SECTION 2 CREDIT FACILITIES...........................................................................25
          -----------------
    2.1 Revolving Loans...............................................................................25
        ---------------
    2.2 Letter of Credit Subfacility..................................................................26
        ----------------------------                                                                             

SECTION 3 OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO CREDIT FACILITIES..............................................31
          ----------------------------------------------
    3.1 Default Rate..................................................................................31
        ------------
    3.2 Extension and Conversion......................................................................32
        ------------------------
    3.3 Prepayments...................................................................................32
        -----------
    3.4 Termination and Reduction of Commitments......................................................33
        ----------------------------------------
    3.5 Fees..........................................................................................33
        ----
    3.6 Capital Adequacy..............................................................................34
        ----------------
    3.7 Inability To Determine Interest Rate..........................................................34
        ------------------------------------
    3.8 Illegality....................................................................................35
        ----------
    3.9 Requirements of Law...........................................................................35
        -------------------
    3.10 Taxes........................................................................................36
         -----
    3.11 Indemnity....................................................................................39
         ---------
    3.12 Pro Rata Treatment...........................................................................39
         ------------------
    3.13 Sharing of Payments..........................................................................40
         -------------------
    3.14 Payments, Computations, Etc..................................................................40
         ---------------------------
    3.15 Evidence of Debt.............................................................................42
         ----------------
    3.16 Release of Collateral........................................................................43
         ---------------------                                                                             

SECTION 4 GUARANTY....................................................................................43
          --------
    4.1 The Guarantee.................................................................................43
        -------------
    4.2 Obligations Unconditional.....................................................................43
        -------------------------
    4.3 Reinstatement.................................................................................45
        -------------
    4.4 Certain Additional Waivers....................................................................45
        --------------------------
    4.5 Remedies......................................................................................45
        --------
    4.6 Rights of Contribution........................................................................45
        ----------------------
    4.7 Continuing Guarantee..........................................................................46
        --------------------

SECTION 5 CONDITIONS..................................................................................46
          ----------
    5.1 Conditions to Closing.........................................................................46
        ---------------------
    5.2 Conditions to All Extensions of Credit........................................................48
        --------------------------------------

SECTION 6 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES..............................................................49
          ------------------------------
    6.1 Financial Condition...........................................................................49
        -------------------
    6.2 No Changes or Restricted Payments.............................................................49
        ---------------------------------
    6.3 Organization; Existence; Compliance with Law..................................................50
        --------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<S>                                                                                                   <C> 
    6.4 Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations.................................................50
        ---------------------------------------------
    6.5 No Legal Bar..................................................................................50
        ------------
    6.6 No Material Litigation........................................................................51
        ----------------------
    6.7 No Default....................................................................................51
        ----------
    6.8 Ownership of Property; Liens..................................................................51
        ----------------------------
    6.9 Intellectual Property.........................................................................51
        ---------------------
    6.10 No Burdensome Restrictions...................................................................51
         --------------------------
    6.11 Taxes........................................................................................51
         -----
    6.12 ERISA........................................................................................52
         -----
    6.13 Governmental Regulations, Etc................................................................53
         -----------------------------
    6.14 Subsidiaries.................................................................................53
         ------------
    6.15 Purpose of Extensions of Credit..............................................................54
         -------------------------------
    6.16 Environmental Matters........................................................................54
         ---------------------

SECTION 7 AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.......................................................................55
          ---------------------
    7.1 Financial Statements..........................................................................55
        --------------------
    7.2 Certificates; Other Information...............................................................56
        -------------------------------
    7.3 Notices.......................................................................................57
        -------
    7.4 Payment of Obligations........................................................................58
        ----------------------
    7.5 Conduct of Business and Maintenance of Existence..............................................58
        ------------------------------------------------
    7.6 Maintenance of Property; Insurance............................................................59
        ----------------------------------
    7.7 Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions........................................59
        ------------------------------------------------------
    7.8 Environmental Laws............................................................................59
        ------------------
    7.9 Financial Covenants...........................................................................60
        -------------------
    7.10 Agency Fees..................................................................................61
         -----------
    7.11 Additional Guaranties and Stock Pledges......................................................61
         ---------------------------------------
    7.12 Ownership of Subsidiaries....................................................................62
         -------------------------
    7.13 Use of Proceeds..............................................................................62
         ---------------
    7.14 Interest Rate Protection Agreements..........................................................62
         -----------------------------------                                                                             

SECTION 8 NEGATIVE COVENANTS..........................................................................62
    8.1 Indebtedness..................................................................................63
        ------------
    8.2 Liens.........................................................................................64
        -----
    8.3 Nature of Business............................................................................64
        ------------------
    8.4 Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Purchase of Assets, Capital Expenditures, etc..................64
        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
    8.5 Advances, Investments and Loans...............................................................66
        -------------------------------
    8.6 Transactions with Affiliates..................................................................66
        ----------------------------
    8.7 Ownership of Equity Interests.................................................................66
        -----------------------------
    8.8 Fiscal Year...................................................................................66
        -----------
    8.9 Prepayments of Indebtedness, etc..............................................................66
        --------------------------------
    8.10 Restricted Payments..........................................................................67
         -------------------
    8.11 Sale Leasebacks..............................................................................67
         ---------------
    8.12 No Further Negative Pledges..................................................................67
         ---------------------------

SECTION 9 EVENTS OF DEFAULT...........................................................................67
          -----------------
    9.1 Events of Default.............................................................................67
        -----------------
    9.2 Acceleration; Remedies........................................................................70
        ----------------------
</TABLE> 

                                      ii
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<S>                                                                                                   <C> 
SECTION 10 AGENCY PROVISIONS..........................................................................70
           -----------------
    10.1 Appointment..................................................................................70
         -----------
    10.2 Delegation of Duties.........................................................................71
         --------------------
    10.3 Exculpatory Provisions.......................................................................71
         ----------------------
    10.4 Reliance on Communications...................................................................72
         --------------------------
    10.5 Notice of Default............................................................................72
         -----------------
    10.6 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.......................................72
         ------------------------------------------------------
    10.7 Indemnification..............................................................................73
         ---------------
    10.8 Administrative Agent in its Individual Capacity..............................................73
         -----------------------------------------------
    10.9 Successor Administrative Agent...............................................................74
         ------------------------------
    10.10 Intercreditor Agreement.....................................................................74
          -----------------------

SECTION 11 MISCELLANEOUS..............................................................................74
           -------------
    11.1 Notices......................................................................................74
         -------
    11.2 Right of Set-Off.............................................................................75
         ----------------
    11.3 Benefit of Agreement.........................................................................76
         --------------------
    11.4 No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative...............................................................78
         ------------------------------
    11.5 Payment of Expenses, etc.....................................................................78
         ------------------------
    11.6 Amendments, Waivers and Consents.............................................................79
         --------------------------------
    11.7 Counterparts.................................................................................80
         ------------
    11.8 Headings.....................................................................................80
         --------
    11.9 Survival.....................................................................................80
         --------
    11.10 Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Venue............................................80
          ------------------------------------------------
    11.11 Severability................................................................................81
          ------------
    11.12 Entirety....................................................................................81
          --------
    11.13 Binding Effect; Termination.................................................................81
          ---------------------------
    11.14 Confidentiality.............................................................................82
          ---------------
    11.15 Source of Funds.............................................................................82
          ---------------
    11.16 Conflict....................................................................................83
          --------
</TABLE> 


                                      iii
<PAGE>
 
                                   SCHEDULES

Schedule 2.1(a)                Schedule of Lenders and Commitments
Schedule 2.1(b)(i)             Form of Notice of Borrowing
Schedule 2.1(e)                Form of Committed Revolving Note
Schedule 2.2(a)                Existing Letters of Credit
Schedule 2.2(b)                Form of Notice of Request for Letter of Credit
Schedule 3.2                   Form of Notice of Extension/Conversion
Schedule 5.1(i)(v)             Form of Secretary's Certificate
Schedule 5.1(i)(vi)(A)         Form of Solvency Certificate
Schedule 5.1(i)(vi)(B)         Form of Solvency Certificate
Schedule 6.6                   Litigation
Schedule 6.8                   Existing Liens
Schedule 6.11                  Tax Claims
Schedule 6.12                  ERISA
Schedule 6.14                  Subsidiaries
Schedule 7.2(b)                Form of Officer's Compliance Certificate
Schedule 7.11                  Form of Joinder Agreement
Schedule 8.1                   Indebtedness
Schedule 8.5                   Existing Investments
Schedule 10.10                 Form of Intercreditor Agreement
Schedule 11.3(b)               Form of Assignment and Acceptance



                                      iv
<PAGE>
 
                               CREDIT AGREEMENT

        THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of January 8, 1997 (the "Credit
                                                                ------
Agreement"), is by and among AMERISOURCE CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation
---------
(the "Borrower"), AMERISOURCE HEALTH CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the
      --------
"Company") and the subsidiaries and affiliates identified on the signature pages
 -------
hereto and such other subsidiaries and affiliates as may from time to time
become Guarantors hereunder in accordance with the provisions hereof
(collectively with the Company, the "Guarantors"), the lenders named herein and
                                     ----------
such other lenders as may become a party hereto (the "Lenders"), BANKERS TRUST
                                                      -------
COMPANY, as Syndication Agent, CORESTATES BANK, N.A., as Documentation Agent,
and NATIONSBANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the
"Administrative Agent").
 --------------------

                              W I T N E S S E T H

        WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Lenders provide a $500
million credit facility for the purposes hereinafter set forth;

        WHEREAS, the Lenders have agreed to make the requested credit facility
available to the Borrower on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;

        NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the premises and other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

                                   SECTION 1

                                  DEFINITIONS
                                  -----------

        1.1   Definitions.
              -----------

              As used in this Credit Agreement, the following terms shall have
the meanings specified below unless the context otherwise requires:

                     "Additional Credit Party" means each Person that becomes a
                      -----------------------
              Guarantor after the Closing Date by execution of a Joinder
              Agreement.

                     "Administrative Agent" shall have the meaning assigned to
                      --------------------
              such term in the heading hereof, together with any successors or
              assigns.

                     "Administrative Agent's Fee Letter" means that certain
                      ---------------------------------
              letter agreement, dated as of December 2, 1996, between the
              Administrative Agent and the Borrower, as amended, modified,
              supplemented or replaced from time to time.

                     "Administrative Agent's Fees" shall have the meaning
                      ---------------------------
              assigned to such term in Section 3.5(c).

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
                     "Affiliate" means, with respect to any Person, any other
                      ---------
              Person (i) directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or
              under common control with such Person or (ii) directly or
              indirectly owning or holding ten percent (10%) or more of the
              equity interest in such Person. For purposes of this definition,
              "control" when used with respect to any Person means the power to
              direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or
              indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by
              contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and
              "controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

                     "Agency Services Address" means NationsBank, N.A.,
                      -----------------------
              NC1-001-15-04, 101 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina
              28255, Attn: Agency Services, or such other address as may be
              identified by written notice from the Administrative Agent to the
              Borrower.

                     "Agents" means, collectively, NationsBank, N.A., as
                      ------
              Administrative Agent, Bankers Trust Company, as Syndication Agent,
              and CoreStates Bank, N.A., as Documentation Agent.

                     "Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount" means the aggregate
                      ------------------------------------
              amount of Revolving Commitments in effect from time to time, being
              initially FIVE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS ($500,000,000).

                     "Applicable Percentage" means for any day, the rate per
                      ---------------------
              annum set forth below opposite the applicable Consolidated
              Leverage Ratio then in effect, it being understood that the
              Applicable Percentage for (i) Base Rate Loans shall be the
              percentage set forth under the column "Base Rate Margin", (ii)
              Eurodollar Loans shall be the percentage set forth under the
              column "Eurodollar Margin and Letter of Credit Fee", (iii) the
              Letter of Credit Fee shall be the percentage set forth under the
              column "Eurodollar Margin and Letter of Credit Fee" and (iv) the
              Commitment Fee shall be the percentage set forth under the column
              "Commitment Fee":

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                            Eurodollar   
                                                                                            Margin       
                         Consolidated                                                       and          
              Pricing    Leverage                                               Base Rate   Letter of    Commitment
              Level      Ratio                                                  Margin      Credit Fee   Fee
              -----      -----                                                  ------      ----------   ---
              <S>        <C>                                                    <C>         <C>          <C> 
              I          (LESS THAN) 2.0                                        0%          .250%        .100%
              II         (GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO) 2.0 but (LESS THAN) 2.5     0%          .375%        .125%
              III        (GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO) 2.5 but (LESS THAN) 3.0     0%          .500%        .175%
              IV         (GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO) 3.0 but (LESS THAN) 3.5     0%          .625%        .200%
              V          (GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO) 3.5 but (LESS THAN) 4.0     0%          .750%        .225%
              VI         (GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO) 4.0 but (LESS THAN) 4.5     0%          .875%        .250%
              VII        (GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO) 4.5 but (LESS THAN) 4.75    .125%       1.125%       .3125%
              VIII       (GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO) 4.75                        .250%       1.250%       .3125%
                         
</TABLE> 
              The Applicable Percentage shall be determined and adjusted
              quarterly on the date (each a "Rate Determination Date") three (3)
                                             -----------------------
              Business Days after the date by which the annual and quarterly
              compliance certificates and related financial statements and
              information are delivered in accordance with the provisions of
              Sections 7.1(a) and (b) and Section 7.2(b), as appropriate;
              provided that:
              --------

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                               (i)  the initial Applicable Percentages shall be
                     based on Pricing Level VIII and shall remain in effect at
                     such Pricing Level until the earliest of (the "Initial
                                                                    -------
                     Adjustment Date") (A) the date of the first Equity
                     ---------------
                     Transaction occurring after the Closing Date, (B) the date
                     of notice from the Company of abandonment of the
                     Prospective Acquisition, and (C) June 30, 1997; and

                               (ii) in the event an annual or quarterly
                     compliance certificate and related financial statements and
                     information are not delivered timely to the Agency Services
                     Address by the date required by Sections 7.1(a) and (b) and
                     Section 7.2(b), as appropriate, the Applicable Percentages
                     shall be based on the Pricing Level two levels higher than
                     the Pricing Level then in effect until such time as an
                     appropriate compliance certificate and related financial
                     statements and information are delivered, whereupon the
                     applicable Pricing Level shall be adjusted based on the
                     information contained in such compliance certificate and
                     related financial statements and information.

              Each Applicable Percentage shall be effective from a Rate
              Determination Date until the next such Rate Determination Date. 
              In making determinations of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio for
              purposes hereof, the receipt of Net Proceeds from any Equity
              Transaction shall be given effect on a Pro Forma Basis. The
              Administrative Agent shall determine the appropriate Applicable
              Percentages in the pricing matrix promptly upon receipt of the
              quarterly or annual compliance certificate and related financial
              information and shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders
              of any change thereof. Such determinations by the Administrative
              Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Adjustments in
              the Applicable Percentages shall be effective as to existing
              Extensions of Credit as well as new Extensions of Credit made
              thereafter.

                     "ARC" means AmeriSource Receivables Corporation, a Delaware
                      ---
              corporation and wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower through
              which the Excluded Securitization Transaction is conducted.

                     "Asset Disposition" means, other than a Securitization
                      -----------------
              Transaction, (i) the sale, lease or other disposition of any
              property or asset by any member of the Consolidated Group, other
              than any such sale permitted by Sections 8.4(c)(i) and 8.4(c)(ii)
              and other than to the extent permitted by Section 8.5, and (ii)
              receipt by any member of the Consolidated Group of any cash
              insurance proceeds or condemnation award payable by reason of
              theft, loss, physical destruction or damage, taking or similar
              event with respect to any of their property or assets in an amount
              in excess of $1,000,000.

                     "Attributed Principal Amount" means, on any day and without
                      ---------------------------
              duplication, with respect to any Securitization Transaction
              entered into by any member of the Consolidated Group, the
              aggregate amount (with respect to any such transaction, the
              "Invested Amount") paid to, or borrowed by, such Person as of such
               ---------------
              date under such Securitization Transaction, minus the aggregate
                                                          -----
              amount applied to the reduction of the Invested Amount under such
              Securitization Transaction.


                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                     "Bankruptcy Code" means the Bankruptcy Code in Title 11 of
                      ---------------
              the United States Code, as amended, modified, succeeded or
              replaced from time to time.

                     "Bankruptcy Event" means, with respect to any Person, the
                      ----------------
              occurrence of any of the following with respect to such Person:
              (i) a court or governmental agency having jurisdiction in the
              premises shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of
              such Person in an involuntary case under any applicable
              bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in
              effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian,
              trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of such Person or for
              any substantial part of its Property or ordering the winding up or
              liquidation of its affairs; or (ii) there shall be commenced
              against such Person an involuntary case under any applicable
              bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in
              effect, or any case, proceeding or other action for the
              appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian,
              trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of such Person or for
              any substantial part of its Property or for the winding up or
              liquidation of its affairs, and such involuntary case or other
              case, proceeding or other action shall remain undismissed or
              undischarged for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days; or (iii)
              such Person shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable
              bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in
              effect, or consent to the entry of an order for relief in an
              involuntary case under any such law, or consent to the appointment
              or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee,
              custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of such
              Person or for any substantial part of its Property or make any
              general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (iv) such
              Person shall be unable to, or shall admit in writing its inability
              to, pay its debts generally as they become due.

                     "Base Rate" means, for any day, the rate per annum (rounded
                      ---------
              upwards, if necessary, to the nearest whole multiple of 1/100 of
              1%) equal to the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Rate in effect
              on such day plus 1/2 of 1% or (b) the Prime Rate in effect on such
                          ----
              day. If for any reason the Administrative Agent shall have
              determined (which determination shall be conclusive absent
              manifest error) that it is unable after due inquiry to ascertain
              the Federal Funds Rate for any reason, including the inability or
              failure of the Administrative Agent to obtain sufficient
              quotations in accordance with the terms hereof, the Base Rate
              shall be determined without regard to clause (a) of the first
              sentence of this definition until the circumstances giving rise to
              such inability no longer exist. Any change in the Base Rate due to
              a change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Rate shall be
              effective on the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate
              or the Federal Funds Rate, respectively.

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

                     "Borrower" means the Person identified as such in the
                      --------
              heading hereof, together with any permitted successors and
              assigns.

                     "Borrowing Base" means, at any time, an amount equal to
                      --------------
              seventy percent (70%) of Eligible Inventory.


                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                     "Business Day" means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or
                      ------------
              other day on which commercial banks in Charlotte, North Carolina
              or Philadelphia, Pennsylvania are authorized or required by law to
              close, except that, when used in connection with a Eurodollar
                     ------ ----
              Loan, such day shall also be a day on which dealings between banks
              are carried on in U.S. dollar deposits in London, England,
              Charlotte, North Carolina and New York, New York.

                     "Capital Expenditures" means all expenditures which in
                      --------------------
              accordance with GAAP would be classified as capital expenditures.
   
                     "Capital Lease" means, as applied to any Person, any lease
                      -------------
              of any Property (whether real, personal or mixed) by that Person
              as lessee which, in accordance with GAAP, is or should be
              accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of that
              Person.

                     "Capital Lease Obligation" means the capital lease
                      ------------------------
              obligations relating to a Capital Lease determined in accordance
              with GAAP.

                     "Cash Equivalents" means (a) securities issued or directly
                      ----------------
              and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States of America or
              any agency or instrumentality thereof (provided that the full
              faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged in
              support thereof) having maturities of not more than twelve months
              from the date of acquisition, (b) U.S. dollar denominated time
              deposits and certificates of deposit of (i) any Lender, or (ii)
              any domestic commercial bank of recognized standing (y) having
              capital and surplus in excess of $500,000,000 and (z) whose short-
              term commercial paper rating from S&P is at least A-1 or the
              equivalent thereof or from Moody's is at least P-1 or the
              equivalent thereof (any such bank being an "Approved Lender"), in
                                                          ---------------
              each case with maturities of not more than 270 days from the date
              of acquisition, (c) commercial paper and variable or fixed rate
              notes issued by any Approved Lender (or by the parent company
              thereof) and maturing within six months of the date of
              acquisition, (d) repurchase agreements entered into by a Person
              with a bank or trust company (including any of the Lenders) or
              recognized securities dealer having capital and surplus in excess
              of $500,000,000 for direct obligations issued by or fully
              guaranteed by the United States of America in which such Person
              shall have a perfected first priority security interest (subject
              to no other Liens) and having, on the date of purchase thereof, a
              fair market value of at least 100% of the amount of the repurchase
              obligations, (e) obligations of any State of the United States or
              any political subdivision thereof, the interest with respect to
              which is exempt from federal income taxation under Section 103 of
              the Code, having a long term rating of at least AA- or Aa-3 by S&P
              or Moody's, respectively, and maturing within three years from the
              date of acquisition thereof, (f) Investments in municipal auction
              preferred stock (i) rated AAA (or the equivalent thereof) or
              better by S&P or Aaa (or the equivalent thereof) or better by
              Moody's and (ii) with dividends that reset at least once every 365
              days and (g) Investments, classified in accordance with GAAP as
              current assets, in money market investment programs registered
              under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, which are
              administered by reputable financial institutions having capital of
              at least $100,000,000 and the portfolios of which are limited to
              Investments of the character described in the foregoing
              subdivisions (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f).


                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                     "Change of Control" means the occurrence of any of the
                      -----------------
              following events: (i) any Person or two or more Persons acting in
              concert (other than 399 Venture Partners, Inc., its affiliates or
              members of management) shall have acquired beneficial ownership,
              directly or indirectly, of, or shall have acquired by contract or
              otherwise, Voting Stock of the Borrower (or other securities
              convertible into such Voting Stock) representing 30% or more of
              the combined voting power of all Voting Stock of the Borrower, or
              (ii) during any period of up to 24 consecutive months, commencing
              after the Closing Date, individuals who at the beginning of such
              24 month period were directors of the Borrower (together with any
              new director whose election by the Borrower's Board of Directors
              or whose nomination for election by the Borrower's shareholders
              was approved by a vote of a majority of the directors then still
              in office who either were directors at the beginning of such
              period or whose election or nomination for election was previously
              so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the
              directors of the Borrower then in office. As used herein,
              "beneficial ownership" shall have the meaning provided in Rule 
              13d-3 of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
              Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

                     "Closing Date" means the date hereof.
                      ------------

                     "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
                      ----
              and any successor statute thereto, as interpreted by the rules and
              regulations issued thereunder, in each case as in effect from time
              to time. References to sections of the Code shall be construed
              also to refer to any successor sections.

                     "Commitment" means the Revolving Commitment and the LOC
                      ----------
              Commitment.

                     "Commitment Fee" shall have the meaning given such term in
                      --------------
              Section 3.5(a).

                     "Commitment Percentage" means the Revolving Commitment
                      ---------------------
              Percentage.

                     "Commitment Period" means the period from and including the
                      -----------------
              Closing Date to but not including the earlier of (i) the
              Termination Date, or (ii) the date on which the Revolving
              Commitments terminate in accordance with the provisions of this
              Credit Agreement.

                     "Company" means AmeriSource Health Corporation, a Delaware
                      -------
              corporation, as referenced in the opening paragraph, its
              successors and permitted assigns.

                     "Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR" means for any period for
                      -----------------------------
              the Consolidated Group, the sum of Consolidated EBITDA plus rent
                                                                     ----
              expense minus Capital Expenditures made or incurred, in each case
                      -----
              on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP applied
              on a consistent basis. Except as expressly provided otherwise, the
              applicable period shall be for the four consecutive quarters
              ending as of the date of determination.

                     "Consolidated EBITDA" means for any period for the
                      -------------------
              Consolidated Group, the sum of Consolidated Net Income plus
              Consolidated Interest Expense plus all provisions for any Federal,
                                            ----
              state or other domestic and foreign income taxes plus depreciation
                                                               ----
              and


                                       6
<PAGE>
 
              amortization plus extraordinary losses minus extraordinary gains,
                           ----                      -----
              in each case on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with
              GAAP applied on a consistent basis. Except as expressly provided
              otherwise, the applicable period shall be for the four consecutive
              quarters ending as of the date of determination.

                     "Consolidated Excess Cash Flow" means for any period for
                      -----------------------------
              the Consolidated Group, the sum of (i) Consolidated EBITDA minus
                                                                         -----
              (to the extent not already deducted in the calculation of
              Consolidated EBITDA) (ii) the total of (a) the cash portion of
              Consolidated Interest Expense, (b) cash income taxes paid, (c) the
              total amount of Capital Expenditures paid or incurred, (d)
              regularly scheduled payments of principal on Funded Debt and (e)
              Restricted Payments made, plus (iii) the Net Proceeds from Asset
                                        ----
              Dispositions.

                     "Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" means for any
                      ----------------------------------------
              period, the ratio of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR to Consolidated
              Fixed Charges.

                     "Consolidated Fixed Charges" means for any period for the
                      --------------------------
              Consolidated Group, the sum of the cash portion of Consolidated
              Interest Expense plus rent expense plus scheduled maturities of
                               ----              ----
              Funded Debt paid during such period plus any cash dividends paid
                                                  ----
              during such period by the Company to its shareholders, in each
              case on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP
              applied on a consistent basis. Except as expressly provided
              otherwise, the applicable period shall be for the four consecutive
              quarters ending as of the date of determination.

                     "Consolidated Funded Debt" means Funded Debt of the
                      ------------------------
              Consolidated Group determined on a consolidated basis in
              accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis. Except as
              expressly provided otherwise, Consolidated Funded Debt shall be,
              and mean, as of the last day of any fiscal quarter, the average of
              Consolidated Funded Debt on such day and on the last day of the
              three (3) consecutive fiscal quarters immediately preceding such
              day; provided that in the case of an Equity Transaction, such
                   --------
              transaction will be deemed to have occurred as of the first day of
              the four consecutive fiscal-quarter period ending as of such day.

                     "Consolidated Group" means the Company and its consolidated
                      ------------------
              subsidiaries, including the Borrower, as determined in accordance
              with GAAP.

                     "Consolidated Interest Expense" means for any period for
                      -----------------------------
              the Consolidated Group, all interest expense, including the
              amortization of debt discount and premium, the interest component
              under Capital Leases and the implied interest component under
              Securitization Transactions, in each case on a consolidated basis
              determined in accordance with GAAP applied on a consolidated
              basis. Except as expressly provided otherwise, the applicable
              period shall be for the four consecutive quarters ending as of the
              date of determination.

                     "Consolidated Leverage Ratio" means, as of the last day of
                      ---------------------------
              any fiscal quarter, the ratio of Consolidated Funded Debt on such
              day to Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive
              fiscal quarters ending as of such day.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
                     "Consolidated Net Income" means for any period, the net
                      -----------------------
              income of the Consolidated Group on a consolidated basis
              determined in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis.

                     "Consolidated Net Worth" means total stockholders' equity
                      ----------------------
              of the Consolidated Group, in each case on a consolidated basis as
              determined in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis.

                     "Contractual Obligation" means, as to any Person, any
                      ----------------------
              provision of any security issued by such Person or of any material
              agreement, instrument or undertaking to which such Person is a
              party or by which it or any of its property is bound.

                     "Credit Documents" means a collective reference to this
                      ----------------
              Credit Agreement, the Notes, the LOC Documents, the Security
              Agreement, the Pledge Agreement, each Joinder Agreement, the
              Administrative Agent's Fee Letter, and all other related
              agreements and documents issued or delivered hereunder or
              thereunder or pursuant hereto or thereto.

                     "Credit Party" means any of the Borrower and the
                      ------------
              Guarantors.

                     "Debt Transaction" means, with respect to any member of the
                      ----------------
              Consolidated Group, any sale, issuance or placement of Funded
              Debt, whether or not evidenced by promissory note or other written
              evidence of indebtedness.

                     "Default" means any event, act or condition which with
                      -------
              notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of
              Default.

                     "Defaulting Lender" means, at any time, any Lender that ,at
                      -----------------
              such time, (i) has failed to make an Extension of Credit required
              pursuant to the terms of this Credit Agreement, (ii) has failed to
              pay to the Administrative Agent or any Lender an amount owed by
              such Lender pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement or any
              other of the Credit Documents, or (iii) has been deemed insolvent
              or has become subject to a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding or
              to a receiver, trustee or similar proceeding.

                     "Dollars" and "$" means dollars in lawful currency of the
                      -------       -
              United States of America.

                     "Domestic Credit Party" means any Credit Party which is
                      ---------------------
              incorporated or organized under the laws of any State of the
              United States or the District of Columbia.

                     "Domestic Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary which is
                      -------------------
              incorporated or organized under the laws of any State of the
              United States or the District of Columbia.

                     "Eligible Inventory" means, as of the date of
                      ------------------
              determination, the gross dollar value (valued at the lower of cost
              (on a FIFO basis) or fair market value) of all inventory of the
              Credit Parties less appropriate reserves determined in accordance
                             ----
              with GAAP applied on a consistent basis, but excluding in any
                                                       --- ---------
              event, without duplication, (i) 

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
              inventory subject to a Lien other than a Permitted Lien, (ii)
              inventory which fails to meet standards for sale or use imposed by
              Governmental Authorities, (iii) inventory which is classified as
              "morgue inventory" or slow moving inventory, and (iv) inventory
              located outside the United States.

                     "Environmental Laws" means any and all lawful and
                      ------------------
              applicable Federal, state, local and foreign statutes, laws,
              regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees,
              permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or
              other governmental restrictions relating to the environment or to
              emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of
              pollutants, contaminants, chemicals, or industrial, toxic or
              hazardous substances or wastes into the environment including,
              without limitation, ambient air, surface water, ground water, or
              land, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing,
              distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport, or
              handling of pollutants, contaminants, chemicals, or industrial,
              toxic or hazardous substances or wastes.

                     "Equity Transaction" means, with respect to any member of
                      ------------------
              the Consolidated Group, any issuance of shares of its capital
              stock or other equity interest; provided that any Equity
                                              --------
              Transaction shall not include any such issuance (A) to a member of
              the Consolidated Group or (B) to an employee, officer or director
              or former employee, officer or director pursuant to a stock
              incentive plan, stock option plan or other equity-based
              compensation plan or arrangement.

                     "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
                      -----
              of 1974, as amended, and any successor statute thereto, as
              interpreted by the rules and regulations thereunder, all as the
              same may be in effect from time to time. References to sections of
              ERISA shall be construed also to refer to any successor sections.

                     "ERISA Affiliate" means an entity which is under common
                      ---------------
              control with any Credit Party within the meaning of Section
              4001(a)(14) of ERISA, or is a member of a group which includes the
              Borrower and which is treated as a single employer under Sections
              414(b) or (c) of the Code.

                     "ERISA Event" means (i) with respect to any Single Employer
                      -----------
              Plan or Multiple Employer Plan, the occurrence of a Reportable
              Event or the substantial cessation of operations by the Borrower
              (within the meaning of Section 4062(e) of ERISA); (ii) the
              withdrawal by the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any
              ERISA Affiliate from a Multiple Employer Plan during a plan year
              in which it was a substantial employer (as such term is defined in
              Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA), or the termination of a Multiple
              Employer Plan; (iii) the distribution of a notice of intent to
              terminate or the actual termination of a Single Employer or
              Multiple Employer Plan pursuant to Section 4041(a)(2) or 4041A of
              ERISA; (iv) the institution of proceedings to terminate or the
              actual termination of a Plan by the PBGC under Section 4042 of
              ERISA; (v) substantially all of the events have occurred that
              constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination
              of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Single
              Employer Plan; (vi) the complete or partial withdrawal of the
              Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate
              from a Multiemployer Plan that is reasonably expected to subject
              the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA
              Affiliate to 

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
              withdrawal liability; (vii) the conditions for imposition of a
              lien under Section 302(f) of ERISA exist with respect to any
              Single Employer or Multiple Employer Plan; or (vii) the adoption
              of an amendment to any Single Employer or Multiple Employer Plan
              requiring the provision of security to such Plan pursuant to
              Section 307 of ERISA.

                     "Eurodollar Loan" means any Loan bearing interest at a rate
                      ---------------
              determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate.

                     "Eurodollar Rate" means, for the Interest Period for each
                      ---------------
              Eurodollar Loan comprising part of the same borrowing (including
              conversions, extensions and renewals), a per annum interest rate
              determined pursuant to the following formula:

                     Eurodollar Rate  =        Interbank Offered Rate
                                          --------------------------------
                                          1 - Eurodollar Reserve Percentage


                     "Eurodollar Reserve Percentage" means for any day, that
                      -----------------------------
              percentage (expressed as a decimal) which is in effect from time
              to time under Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the
              Federal Reserve System (or any successor), as such regulation may
              be amended from time to time or any successor regulation, as the
              maximum reserve requirement (including, without limitation, any
              basic, supplemental, emergency, special, or marginal reserves)
              applicable with respect to Eurocurrency liabilities as that term
              is defined in Regulation D (or against any other category of
              liabilities that includes deposits by reference to which the
              interest rate of Eurodollar Loans is determined), whether or not
              Lender has any Eurocurrency liabilities subject to such reserve
              requirement at that time. Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to
              constitute Eurocurrency liabilities and as such shall be deemed
              subject to reserve requirements without benefits of credits for
              proration, exceptions or offsets that may be available from time
              to time to a Lender. The Eurodollar Rate shall be adjusted
              automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in the
              Eurodollar Reserve Percentage.

                     "Event of Default" means such term as defined in Section
                      ----------------
              9.1.

                     "Excluded Securitization Transaction" means the
                      -----------------------------------
              transactions contemplated by the accounts receivable financing
              facilities established pursuant to the Receivables Purchase
              Agreement, dated as of December 13, 1994, between the Borrower and
              ARC, the Subscription and Stockholder Agreement, dated as of
              December 13, 1994, between the Borrower and ARC, and the
              Amerisource Receivables Master Trust Pooling and Servicing
              Agreement, dated as of December 13, 1994, among ARC, the Borrower
              and Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company, together with all
              amendments, modifications and supplements that have been and may
              in the future be executed in connection therewith, and all related
              documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection
              therewith from time to time, together with all renewals and
              extensions of any of the foregoing.


                                      10
<PAGE>
 
                     "Existing Credit Facility" means the credit facility
                      ------------------------
              established in favor of the Borrower pursuant to that certain
              Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of December 13,
              1994, among the Borrower, certain financial institutions party
              thereto, General Electric Capital Corporation, as Agent and
              Managing Agent, Bankers Trust Company, as Issuing Lender and
              Managing Agent, and certain Co-Agents party thereto, as the same
              has been amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

                     "Extension of Credit" means, as to any Lender, the making
                      -------------------
              of, or participation in, a Loan by such Lender or the issuance or
              extension of, or participation in, a Letter of Credit.

                     "Fees" means all fees payable pursuant to Section 3.5.
                      ----

                     "Federal Funds Rate" means, for any day, the rate of
                      ------------------
              interest per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest
              whole multiple of 1/100 of 1%) equal to the weighted average of
              the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of
              the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers on
              such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on
              the Business Day next succeeding such day, provided that (A) if
                                                         --------
              such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such
              day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding
              Business Day and (B) if no such rate is so published on such next
              preceding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall
              be the average rate quoted to the Administrative Agent on such day
              on such transactions as determined by the Administrative Agent.

                     "Foreign Credit Party" means a Credit Party which is not a
                      --------------------
              Domestic Credit Party.

                     "Foreign Subsidiary" means a Subsidiary which is not a
                      ------------------
              Domestic Subsidiary.

                     "Funded Debt" means, with respect to any Person, without
                      -----------
              duplication, (i) all Indebtedness of such Person for borrowed
              money, (ii) all purchase money Indebtedness of such Person,
              including without limitation the principal portion of all
              obligations of such Person under Capital Leases, (iii) all
              Guaranty Obligations of such Person with respect to Funded
              Indebtedness of another Person, (iv) the maximum available amount
              of all standby letters of credit or acceptances issued or created
              for the account of such Person, (v) all Funded Debt of another
              Person which is secured by a Lien on any Property of such Person
              to secure such Funded Debt of such other Person, whether or not
              such Funded Debt has been assumed, provided that for purposes
                                                 --------
              hereof the amount of such Funded Debt shall be limited to the
              greater of (A) the amount of such Funded Debt as to which there is
              recourse to such Person and (B) the fair market value of the
              property which is subject to the Lien, (vi) the outstanding
              Attributed Principal Amount under any Securitization Transaction,
              and (vii) the principal balance outstanding under any synthetic
              lease, tax retention operating lease, off-balance sheet loan or
              similar off-balance sheet financing product to which such Person
              is a party, where such transaction is considered borrowed money
              indebtedness for tax purposes but is classified as an operating
              lease in accordance with GAAP. The Funded Debt of any Person shall
              include the Funded Debt of any partnership or joint venture in

                                      11
<PAGE>
 
              which such Person is a general partner or joint venturer, but only
              to the extent to which there is recourse to such Person for the
              payment of such Funded Debt.

                     "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in
                      ----
              the United States applied on a consistent basis and subject to the
              terms of Section 1.3 hereof.

                     "Governmental Authority" means any Federal, state, local or
                      ----------------------
              foreign court or governmental agency, authority, instrumentality
              or regulatory body.

                     "Guarantor" means the Company and each of those other
                      ---------
              Persons identified as a "Guarantor" on the signature pages hereto,
              and each Additional Credit Party which may hereafter execute a
              Joinder Agreement, together with their successors and permitted
              assigns.

                     "Guaranteed Obligations" means, as to each Guarantor,
                      ----------------------
              without duplication, (i) all obligations of the Borrower to the
              Lenders and the Administrative Agent , whenever arising, under
              this Credit Agreement , the Notes or the Credit Documents relating
              to the Obligations hereunder, and (ii) all liabilities and
              obligations, whenever arising, owing from the Borrower to any
              Lender, or any Affiliate of a Lender, arising under any Hedging
              Agreement relating to Loans or Obligations hereunder.

                     "Guaranty Obligations" means, with respect to any Person,
                      --------------------
              without duplication, any obligations of such Person (other than
              endorsements in the ordinary course of business of negotiable
              instruments for deposit or collection) guaranteeing or intended to
              guarantee any Indebtedness of any other Person in any manner,
              whether direct or indirect, and including without limitation any
              obligation, whether or not contingent, (i) to purchase any such
              Indebtedness or any Property constituting security therefor, (ii)
              to advance or provide funds or other support for the payment or
              purchase of any such Indebtedness or to maintain working capital,
              solvency or other balance sheet condition of such other Person
              (including without limitation keep well agreements, maintenance
              agreements, comfort letters or similar agreements or arrangements)
              for the benefit of any holder of Indebtedness of such other
              Person, (iii) to lease or purchase Property, securities or
              services primarily for the purpose of assuring the holder of such
              Indebtedness, or (iv) to otherwise assure or hold harmless the
              holder of such Indebtedness against loss in respect thereof. The
              amount of any Guaranty Obligation hereunder shall (subject to any
              limitations set forth therein) be deemed to be an amount equal to
              the outstanding principal amount (or maximum principal amount, if
              larger) of the Indebtedness in respect of which such Guaranty
              Obligation is made, or if lower, the maximum amount of the
              Guaranty Obligation.

                     "Hedging Agreements" means any interest rate protection
                      ------------------
              agreement or foreign currency exchange agreement between the
              Borrower and any Lender, or any Affiliate of a Lender.

                     "Indebtedness" of any Person means, without duplication,
                      ------------
              (i) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (ii) all
              obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes
              or similar instruments, or upon which interest payments are
              customarily made, (iii) all obligations of such Person under
              conditional sale or other title retention 

                                      12
<PAGE>
 
              agreements relating to Property purchased by such Person (other
              than customary reservations or retentions of title under
              agreements with suppliers entered into in the ordinary course of
              business), (iv) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed
              as the deferred purchase price of Property or services purchased
              by such Person (other than trade debt incurred in the ordinary
              course of business and due within twelve months of the incurrence
              thereof) which would appear as liabilities on a balance sheet of
              such Person, (v) all obligations of such Person under take-or-pay
              or similar arrangements or under commodities agreements, (vi) all
              Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such
              Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be
              secured by) any Lien on, or payable out of the proceeds of
              production from, Property owned or acquired by such Person,
              whether or not the obligations secured thereby have been assumed,
              provided that for purposes hereof the amount of such Indebtedness
              shall be limited to the greater of (A) the amount of such
              Indebtedness as to which there is recourse to such Person and (B)
              the fair market value of the property which is subject to the
              Lien, (vii) all Guaranty Obligations of such Person, (viii) the
              principal portion of all obligations of such Person under Capital
              Leases, (ix) all obligations of such Person in respect of interest
              rate protection agreements, foreign currency exchange agreements,
              commodity purchase or option agreements or other interest or
              exchange rate or commodity price hedging agreements (including,
              but not limited to, the Hedging Agreements), (x) the maximum
              amount of all standby letters of credit issued or bankers'
              acceptances facilities created for the account of such Person and,
              without duplication, all drafts drawn thereunder (to the extent
              unreimbursed), (xi) all preferred stock issued by such Person and
              required by the terms thereof to be redeemed, or for which
              mandatory sinking fund payments are due, by a fixed date, (xii)
              the outstanding Attributed Principal Amount under any
              Securitization Financing and (xiii) the principal balance
              outstanding under any synthetic lease, tax retention operating
              lease, off-balance sheet loan or similar off-balance sheet
              financing product to which such Person is a party, where such
              transaction is considered borrowed money indebtedness for tax
              purposes but is classified as an operating lease in accordance
              with GAAP. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the
              Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture in which such
              Person is a general partner or a joint venturer, but only to the
              extent to which there is recourse to such Person for payment of
              such Indebtedness.

                     "Interbank Offered Rate" means, for the Interest Period for
                      ----------------------
              each Eurodollar Loan comprising part of the same borrowing
              (including conversions, extensions and renewals), a per annum
              interest rate (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest whole
              multiple of 1/100 of 1%) equal to the rate of interest, determined
              by the Administrative Agent on the basis of the offered rates for
              deposits in dollars for a period of time corresponding to such
              Interest Period (and commencing on the first day of such Interest
              Period), appearing on Telerate Page 3750 (or, if, for any reason,
              Telerate Page 3750 is not available, the Reuters Screen LIBO Page)
              as of approximately 11:00 A.M. (London time) two (2) Business Days
              before the first day of such Interest Period. As used herein,
              "Telerate Page 3750" means the display designated as page 3750 by
              Dow Jones Telerate, Inc. (or such other page as may replace such
              page on that service for the purpose of displaying the British
              Bankers Association London interbank offered rates) and "Reuters
              Screen LIBO Page" means the display designated as page "LIBO" on
              the Reuters Monitor Money Rates Service (or such

                                      13
<PAGE>
 
              other page as may replace the LIBO page on that service for the
              purpose of displaying London interbank offered rates of major
              banks).

                     "Interest Payment Date" means (i) as to any Base Rate Loan,
                      ---------------------
              the first day of each January, April, July and October, the date
              of repayment of principal of such Loan and the Termination Date
              and (ii) as to any Eurodollar Loan, the last day of each Interest
              Period for such Loan, the date of repayment of principal of such
              Loan and on the Termination Date, and in addition where the
              applicable Interest Period is more than 3 months, then also on the
              date 3 months from the beginning of the Interest Period, and each
              3 months thereafter. If an Interest Payment Date falls on a date
              which is not a Business Day, such Interest Payment Date shall be
              deemed to be the next succeeding Business Day.

                     "Interest Period" means as to any Eurodollar Loan, a period
                      ---------------
              of one, two, three or six month's duration, as the Borrower may
              elect, commencing in each case, on the date of the borrowing
              (including conversions, extensions and renewals); provided,
                                                                --------
              however, (A) if any Interest Period would end on a day which is
              -------
              not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the
              next succeeding Business Day (except that in the case of
              Eurodollar Loans where the next succeeding Business Day falls in
              the next succeeding calendar month, then on the next preceding
              Business Day), (B) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the
              Termination Date, and (C) in the case of Eurodollar Loans, where
              an Interest Period begins on a day for which there is no
              numerically corresponding day in the calendar month in which the
              Interest Period is to end, such Interest Period shall end on the
              last day of such calendar month.

                     "Invested Amount" shall have the meaning given such term in
                      ---------------
              the definition of Attributed Principal Amount.

                     "Investment", in any Person, means any loan or advance to
                      ----------
              such Person, any purchase or other acquisition of any capital
              stock, warrants, rights, options, obligations or other securities
              of, or equity interest in, such Person, any capital contribution
              to such Person or any other investment in such Person, including,
              without limitation, any Guaranty Obligation incurred for the
              benefit of such Person.

                     "Issuing Lender" means any of NationsBank, Bankers Trust
                      --------------
              Company or CoreStates Bank, N.A., or any of their affiliates which
              are Lenders hereunder, as the Borrower may request.

                     "Issuing Lender Fees" shall have the meaning assigned to
                      -------------------
              such term in Section 3.5(b)(ii).

                     "Joinder Agreement" means a Joinder Agreement substantially
                      -----------------
              in the form of Schedule 7.11-1 hereto, executed and delivered by
                             ---------------
              an Additional Credit Party in accordance with the provisions of
              Section 7.11.

                     "Lenders" means each of the Persons identified as a
                      -------
              "Lender" on the signature pages hereto, and their successors and
              assigns.


                                      14
<PAGE>
 
        "Letter of Credit" means any letter of credit issued by the Issuing
         ----------------
Lender for the account of the Borrower in accordance with the terms of Section
2.2 and including any existing Letter of Credit set forth on Schedule 2.2(a),
                                                             ----------------
and amendments, extensions and renewals thereof.

        "Letter of Credit Fee" shall have the meaning given such term in 
         --------------------
Section 3.5(b)(i).

        "Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit
         ----
arrangement, security interest, encumbrance, lien (statutory or otherwise),
preference, priority or charge of any kind (including any agreement to give any
of the foregoing, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any
financing or similar statement or notice filed under the Uniform Commercial Code
as adopted and in effect in the relevant jurisdiction or other similar recording
or notice statute, and any lease in the nature thereof).

        "Loan" or "Loans" means the Revolving Loans.
         ----      -----

        "LOC Commitment" means the commitment of the Issuing Lender to issue,
         --------------
and to honor payment obligations under, Letters of Credit hereunder and with
respect to each Lender, the commitment of each Lender to purchase participation
interests in the Letters of Credit up to such Lender's LOC Committed Amount as
specified in Schedule 2.1(a), as such amount may be reduced from time to time in
             ---------------
accordance with the provisions hereof.

        "LOC Committed Amount" means, collectively, the aggregate amount of all
         --------------------
of the LOC Commitments of the Lenders to issue and participate in Letters of
Credit as referenced in Section 2.2(a) and, individually, the amount of each
Lender's LOC Commitment as specified in Schedule 2.1(a).
                                        ---------------

        "LOC Documents" means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, such Letter
         -------------
of Credit, any amendments thereto, any documents delivered in connection
therewith, any application therefor, and any agreements, instruments, guarantees
or other documents (whether general in application or applicable only to such
Letter of Credit) governing or providing for (i) the rights and obligations of
the parties concerned or at risk or (ii) any collateral security for such
obligations.

        "LOC Obligations" means, at any time, the sum of (i) the maximum amount
         ---------------
which is, or at any time thereafter may become, available to be drawn under
Letters of Credit then outstanding, assuming compliance with all requirements
for drawings referred to in such Letters of Credit plus (ii) the aggregate
                                                   ----
amount of all drawings under Letters of Credit honored by the Issuing Lender but
not theretofore reimbursed.

        "Material Adverse Effect" means a material adverse effect on (i) the
         -----------------------
financial condition, results of operations or prospects of the Consolidated
Group taken as a whole, (ii) the ability of the Credit Parties taken as a whole
to perform any material obligation under the Credit Documents to which it is a
party or (iii) the practical realization of the benefits of rights and remedies
of the Lenders under the Credit Documents, taken as a whole.

                                      15
<PAGE>
 
        "Materials of Environmental Concern" means any gasoline or petroleum
         ----------------------------------
(including crude oil or any fraction thereof) or petroleum products or any
hazardous or toxic substances, materials or wastes, defined or regulated as such
in or under any Environmental Laws, including, without limitation, asbestos,
polychlorinated biphenyls and urea-formaldehyde insulation.

        "Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc., or any successor or
         -------
assignee of the business of such company in the business of rating securities.

        "Multiemployer Plan" means a Plan which is a multiemployer plan as
         ------------------
defined in Sections 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

        "Multiple Employer Plan" means a Plan to which the Borrower, any
         ----------------------
Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate and at least one employer
other than the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate
are contributing sponsors.

        "NationsBank" means NationsBank, N.A. and its successors.
         -----------

        "Net Proceeds" means gross cash proceeds (including any cash received by
         ------------
way of deferred payment pursuant to a promissory note, receivable or otherwise,
but only as and when received) received in connection with an Asset Disposition,
Equity Transaction, Debt Transaction or Securitization Transaction (relating ,
in the case of a Securitization Transaction, to the Invested Amount thereof),
net of (i) actual transaction costs, including in the case of an Equity
Transaction, Debt Transaction or Securitization Transaction, underwriting
discounts and commissions and in the case of an Asset Disposition occurring in
connection with a claim under an insurance policy, costs incurred in connection
with adjustment and settlement of the claim, (ii) estimated taxes payable in
connection therewith, and (iii) in the case of an Asset Disposition, Debt
Transaction or Securitization Transaction, any amounts payable in respect of
Indebtedness, including without limitation principal, interest, premiums and
penalties, which is secured by, or otherwise related to, any property or asset
which is the subject thereof to the extent that such Indebtedness and any
payments in respect thereof are paid with a portion of the proceeds therefrom.

        "Non-Excluded Taxes" means such term as is defined in Section 3.10.
         ------------------

        "Note" or "Notes" means any Revolving Note.
         ----      -----

        "Notice of Borrowing" means a written notice of borrowing in
         -------------------
substantially the form of Schedule 2.1(b)(i), as required by Section 2.1(b)(i).
                          ------------------

        "Notice of Extension/Conversion" means the written notice of extension
         ------------------------------
or conversion in substantially the form of Schedule 3.2, as required by 
                                           ------------
Section 3.2.

        "Notice of Request for Letter of Credit" means a written notice of
         --------------------------------------
request for Letter of Credit in substantially the form of Schedule 2.2(b) as
                                                          ---------------
referenced in Section 2.2(b).

                                      16
<PAGE>
 
        "Obligations" means, collectively, the Revolving Loans and the LOC 
         -----------
Obligations.

        "Operating Lease" means, as applied to any Person, any lease (including,
         ---------------
without limitation, leases which may be terminated by the lessee at any time) of
any Property (whether real, personal or mixed) which is not a Capital Lease
other than any such lease in which that Person is the lessor.

        "Participation Interest" means the purchase by a Lender of a
         ----------------------
participation in Letters of Credit and LOC Obligations as provided in Section
2.2(c), and in Loans as provided in Section 3.13.

        "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established
         ----
pursuant to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA and any successor thereof.

        "Permitted Investments" means Investments which are either (i) cash and
         ---------------------
Cash Equivalents; (ii) accounts receivable created, acquired or made in the
ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with
customary trade terms; (iii) Investments consisting of stock, obligations,
securities or other property received in settlement of accounts receivable
(created in the ordinary course of business) from bankrupt, insolvent or
reorganized obligors; (iv) Investments existing as of the Closing Date and set
forth in Schedule 8.5, (v) Guaranty Obligations permitted by Section 8.1; (vi)
         ------------
acquisitions permitted by Section 8.4(d); (vii) transactions permitted by
Section 8.6, (viii) loans to employees, directors or officers in connection with
the award of convertible bonds or stock under a stock incentive plan, stock
option plan or other equity-based compensation plan or arrangement in the
aggregate not to exceed $7,500,000 (calculated on the exercise price for any
such shares) in the aggregate at any time outstanding; (ix) other advances or
loans to employees, directors, officers or agents not to exceed $2,500,000 in
the aggregate at any time outstanding; (x) advances or loans to customers or
suppliers that do not exceed $2,500,000 in the aggregate at any one time
outstanding, (xi) Investments by a member of the Consolidated Group or an
Affiliate of a member of the Consolidated Group in connection with a Permitted
Receivables Financing, (xii) Investments by members of the Consolidated Group
and their Subsidiaries and Affiliates existing on the Closing Date, (xiii)
advances for reimbursable expenses in the ordinary course of business to
employees of the Consolidated Group; (xiv) notes receivable for, or guaranties
in respect of, Inventory sold or services rendered in the ordinary course of
business in an aggregate amount not in excess of $45,000,000 at any time; (xv)
investments representing Indebtedness of any Person owing as a result of the
sale by a member of the Consolidated Group of property no longer useful in such
members core business; provided that the aggregate amount of such Indebtedness
                       --------
shall not exceed $10,000,000 at any time; (xvi) contingent liabilities
represented by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection or deposit
in the ordinary course of business; (xvii) amounts advanced for payment of sales
taxes in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,000,000 at any time; (xviii)
Investments in and to Wholly-Owned Domestic Credit Parties (as used herein,
being a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company); (xix) Investments in and to
Domestic Credit Parties which are Subsidiaries of the Company 

                                      17
<PAGE>
 
but are not Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of the Company to the extent provided in
Section 8.4(d)(B); and (xx) other loans, advances and investments of a nature
not contemplated in the foregoing subsections in an amount not to exceed
$5,000,000 at any time outstanding with increases by $2,500,000 on each
anniversary date of the Closing Date.

        "Permitted Liens" means:
         ---------------

              (i) Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent on behalf of the 
        Lenders;
        
              (ii) Liens (other than Liens created or imposed under ERISA) for
        taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies not yet due or
        Liens for taxes being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings
        for which adequate reserves determined in accordance with GAAP have been
        established (and as to which the Property subject to any such Lien is
        not yet subject to foreclosure, sale or loss on account thereof);

              (iii) statutory Liens of landlords and Liens of carriers,
        warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen and suppliers and other Liens
        imposed by law or pursuant to customary reservations or retentions of
        title arising in the ordinary course of business, provided that such
                                                          --------
        Liens secure only amounts not yet due and payable or, if due and
        payable, are unfiled and no other action has been taken to enforce the
        same or are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings for
        which adequate reserves determined in accordance with GAAP have been
        established (and as to which the Property subject to any such Lien is
        not yet subject to foreclosure, sale or loss on account thereof);

              (iv) Liens (other than Liens created or imposed under ERISA)
        incurred or deposits made by the the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in
        the ordinary course of business in connection with workers'
        compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security
        or similar legislation, or to secure the performance of tenders,
        statutory obligations, bids, leases, government contracts, performance
        and return-of-money bonds and other similar obligations (exclusive of
        obligations for the payment of borrowed money);

              (v) Liens in connection with attachments or judgments (including
        judgment or appeal bonds) provided that the judgments secured shall,
                                  --------
        within 30 days after the entry thereof, have been discharged or
        execution thereof stayed pending appeal, or shall have been discharged
        within 30 days after the expiration of any such stay or shall not exceed
        $2,500,000 in the aggregate (not including amounts covered by
        insurance);

              (vi) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions (including zoning
        restrictions), minor defects or irregularities in title and other
        similar charges or encumbrances not, in any material respect, impairing
        the use of the encumbered Property for its intended purposes;

                                      18
<PAGE>
 
              (vii) Liens securing purchase money and sale/leaseback
        Indebtedness (including Capital Leases) to the extent permitted under
        Section 8.1(c), provided that any such Lien attaches only to the
                        --------
        Property financed or leased and such Lien attaches thereto concurrently
        with or within 90 days after the acquisition thereof in connection with
        the purchase money transactions and within 30 days after the closing of
        any sale/leaseback transaction;

              (viii) leases or subleases granted to others not interfering in
        any material respect (as determined by the Required Lenders) with the
        business of the members of the Consolidated Group, taken as a whole;

              (ix) any interest of title of a lessor under, and Liens arising
        from UCC financing statements (or equivalent filings, registrations or
        agreements in foreign jurisdictions) relating to, leases permitted by
        this Credit Agreement;

              (x) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a
        matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the
        importation of goods;

              (xi) Liens created or deemed to exist in connection with a
        Permitted Receivables Financing (including any related filings of any
        financing statements), but only to the extent that any such Lien relates
        to the applicable receivables and related property actually sold,
        contributed or otherwise conveyed pursuant to such transaction;

              (xii) Liens deemed to exist in connection with Investments in
        repurchase agreements permitted under Section 8.5;

              (xiii) restrictions on assignability of lessee's interest in any
        lease where a member of the Consolidated Group is a lessee;

              (xiv) pledges of or liens on stock or securities of customers 
        held as a Permitted Investment;

              (xv) normal and customary rights of setoff upon deposits of cash
        in favor of banks or other depository institutions; and

              (xvi) Liens existing as of the Closing Date and set forth on
        Schedule 6.8; provided that (a) no such Lien shall at any time be
        ------------  --------
        extended to or cover any Property other than the Property subject
        thereto on the Closing Date and (b) the principal amount of the
        Indebtedness secured by such Liens shall not be extended, renewed,
        refunded or refinanced.

              (xvii) Liens on property existing at the time such property is
        acquired by a member of the Consolidated Group, which Liens are not
        created in contemplation of the acquisition and do not encumber property
        having a fair value in the aggregate for all such Liens in excess of
        $10,000,000.

                                      19
<PAGE>
 
        "Permitted Receivables Financing" means the Excluded Securitization
         -------------------------------
Transaction and any other Securitization Transaction; provided, that the
                                                      --------
structure of, documentation for and the terms (including the discount applicable
to the Receivables which are the subject of such financing and the termination
events) of any such transaction entered into after the Closing Date are
consistent (including, if applicable, after giving effect to any amendments,
modifications, supplements, renewals or extensions to the Existing
Securitization Transaction or any other Securitization Transaction) with those
prevailing in the market at the time of commitment thereto for similar
transactions and for similar originators, all as evidenced by a certificate to
such effect by the placement agent, originator, underwriter or purchaser (or
similar party) in such transaction.

        "Person" means any individual, partnership, joint venture, firm,
         ------
corporation, limited liability company, association, trust or other enterprise
(whether or not incorporated) or any Governmental Authority.

        "Plan" means any employee benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of
         ----
ERISA) which is covered by ERISA and with respect to which the Borrower, any
Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were
terminated at such time, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an
"employer" within the meaning of Section 3(5) of ERISA.

        "Pledge Agreement" means the Pledge Agreement dated as of the date
         ----------------
hereof entered into by the Credit Parties in favor of the Administrative Agent
for the benefit of the Lenders (and affiliates of Lenders as to certain
obligations under Hedge Agreements), as amended and modified.

        "Prime Rate" means the rate of interest per annum publicly announced
         ----------
from time to time by NationsBank as its prime rate in effect at its principal
office in Charlotte, North Carolina, with each change in the Prime Rate being
effective on the date such change is publicly announced as effective (it being
understood and agreed that the Prime Rate is a reference rate used by
NationsBank in determining interest rates on certain loans and is not intended
to be the lowest rate of interest charged on any extension of credit by
NationsBank to any debtor).

        "Pro Forma Basis" means, with respect to any transaction, that such
         ---------------
transaction shall be deemed to have occurred as of the first day of the four
fiscal-quarter period ending as of the most recent fiscal quarter end preceding
the date of such transaction with respect to which the Administrative Agent and
the Lenders have received the officer's certificate in accordance with the
provisions of Section 7.2(b). As used herein, "Transaction" means (i) any Equity
Transaction, (ii) the incurrence of Subordinated Debt in accordance with the
provisions of Section 8.1(g), (iii) any corporate merger or consolidation as
referred to in Section 8.4(b) and 8.4(d)), (iv) any sale or other disposition of
assets as referred to in Section 8.4(c), (v) any acquisition of capital stock or
securities or any purchase, lease or other acquisition of property as referred
to in Section 8.4(d) or (vi) the making of any Restricted Payment as referred to
in Section 8.10.

                                      20
<PAGE>
 
        "Property" means any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether
         --------
real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible.

        "Prospective Acquisition" means that prospective acquisition which is
         -----------------------
the subject of a non-binding letter of intent as of the Closing Date.

        "Receivables" means any right of payment from or on behalf of any
         -----------
obligor, whether constituting an account, chattel paper, instrument, general
intangible or otherwise, arising from the sale or financing by a member of the
Consolidated Group of merchandise or services, and monies due thereunder,
security in the merchandise and services financed thereby, records related
thereto, and the right to payment of any interest or finance charges and other
obligations with respect thereto, proceeds from claims on insurance policies
related thereto, any other proceeds related thereto, and any other related
rights.

        "Register" shall have the meaning given such term in Section 11.3(c).
         --------

        "Regulation G, T, U, or X" means Regulation G, T, U or X, respectively,
         ------------------------
of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as from time to time in
effect and any successor to all or a portion thereof.

        "Release" means any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting,
         -------
emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping or disposing into
the environment (including the abandonment or discarding of barrels, containers
and other closed receptacles containing any Materials of Environmental Concern).

        "Reportable Event" means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c)
         ----------------
of ERISA, other than those events as to which the notice requirement has been
waived by regulation.

        "Required Lenders" means, at any time, Lenders having more than fifty
         ----------------
percent (50%) of the Commitments, or if the Commitments have been terminated,
Lenders having more than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate principal amount
of the Obligations outstanding (taking into account in each case Participation
Interests or obligation to participate therein); provided that the Commitments
                                                 --------
of, and outstanding principal amount of Obligations (taking into account
Participation Interests therein) owing to, a Defaulting Lender shall be excluded
for purposes hereof in making a determination of Required Lenders.

        "Requirement of Law" means, as to any Person, the certificate of
         ------------------
incorporation and by-laws or other organizational or governing documents of such
Person, and any law, treaty, rule or regulation or determination of an
arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable
to or binding upon such Person or any of its material property is subject.

        "Responsible Officer" means the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller,
         -------------------
any Vice President and Treasurer.

                                      21
<PAGE>
 
        "Restricted Payment" means (i) any dividend or other distribution,
         ------------------
direct or indirect, on account of any shares of any class of stock now or
hereafter outstanding, except (A) a dividend payable solely in shares of that
class to the holders of that class and (B) dividends and other distributions
payable to a Credit Party, (ii) any redemption, retirement, sinking fund or
similar payment, purchase or other acquisition for value, direct or indirect, of
any shares of any class of stock now or hereafter outstanding, (iii) any payment
made to retire, or to obtain the surrender of, any outstanding warrants, options
or other rights to acquire shares of any class of stock now or hereafter
outstanding, and (iv) any voluntary or optional payments on Subordinated Debt.

        "Revolving Commitment" means, with respect to each Lender, the
         --------------------
commitment of such Lender to make Revolving Loans in an aggregate principal
amount at any time outstanding of up to such Lender's Commitment Percentage of
the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount as specified in Schedule 2.1(a), as
                                                         ---------------
such amount may be reduced from time to time in accordance with the provisions
hereof.

        "Revolving Commitment Percentage" means, for each Lender, a fraction
         -------------------------------
(expressed as a decimal) the numerator of which is the Revolving Commitment of
such Lender at such time and the denominator of which is the Aggregate Revolving
Committed Amount at such time. The initial Revolving Commitment Percentages are
set out on Schedule 2.1(a).
           ---------------

        "Revolving Committed Amount" means, collectively, the aggregate amount
         --------------------------
of all of the Revolving Commitments as referenced in Section 2.1(a) and,
individually, the amount of each Lender's Revolving Commitment as specified in
Schedule 2.1(a).
---------------

        "Revolving Loans" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
         ---------------
Section 2.1(a).

        "Revolving Note" or "Revolving Notes" means the promissory notes of the
         --------------      ---------------
Borrower in favor of each of the Lenders evidencing the Revolving Loans in
substantially the form attached as Schedule 2.1(e), individually or
                                   ----------------
collectively, as appropriate, as such promissory notes may be amended, modified,
supplemented, extended, renewed or replaced from time to time.

        "S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, a division of McGraw Hill,
         ---
Inc., or any successor or assignee of the business of such division in the
business of rating securities.

        "Security Agreement" means the Security Agreement dated as of the date
         ------------------
hereof entered into by the Credit Parties in favor of the Administrative Agent
for the benefit of the Lenders (and affiliates of Lenders as to certain
obligations under Hedge Agreements), as amended and modified.

                                      22
<PAGE>
 
        "Security Release Date" means
         ---------------------

              (i) as relates to inventory and the other security interests
        granted pursuant to the Security Agreement, the earlier of (A) the date
        on which the Borrower shall have achieved an investment grade rating
        from both S&P (which based upon the rating system as of the date hereof
        is at least BBB-) and Moody's (which based upon the rating system as of
        the date hereof is at least Baa3) on its long-term senior unsecured 
        (non-credit enhanced) debt; or (B) the date on which the Company shall
        have achieved, and maintained for three (3) consecutive fiscal quarters,
        a Consolidated Leverage Ratio less than or equal to 3.0:1.0; and

              (ii) as relates to stock and equity interests pledged pursuant to
        the Pledge Agreement, the date on which the Borrower shall have achieved
        an investment grade rating from both S&P (which based upon the rating
        system as of the date hereof is at least BBB-) and Moody's (which based
        upon the rating system as of the date hereof is at least Baa3) on its
        long-term senior unsecured (non-credit enhanced) debt.

        "Securitization Transaction" means any financing transaction or series
         --------------------------
of financing transactions, together with the issuance and purchase of securities
in connection therewith, that have been or may be entered into by a member of
the Consolidated Group pursuant to which such member of the Consolidated Group
may sell, convey or otherwise transfer to (i) a Subsidiary or affiliate, or (ii)
any other Person, or may grant a security interest in, any Receivables or
interests therein, whether or not secured by merchandise or services financed
thereby (whether such Receivables are then existing or arising in the future) of
such member of the Consolidated Group, and any assets related thereto, including
without limitation, all security interests in merchandise or services financed
thereby, the proceeds of such Receivables, and other assets which are
customarily sold or in respect of which security interests are customarily
granted in connection with securitization transactions involving such assets.

        "Single Employer Plan" means any Plan which is covered by Title IV of
         --------------------
ERISA, but which is not a Multiemployer Plan or a Multiple Employer Plan.

        "Subordinated Debt" means (i) 11 1/4% Senior Subordinated Debentures due
         -----------------
July 15, 2005 issued by the Company ($50,000 remains outstanding as of the
Closing Date) and (ii) any other Indebtedness of a member of the Consolidated
Group which by its terms is specifically subordinated in right of payment to the
prior payment of the obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other Credit
Documents (and consistent with the terms and conditions prevailing in the market
at such time) and, prior to the Security Release Date relating to inventory, on
terms and conditions satisfactory to the Required Lenders.

        "Subsidiary" means, as to any Person, (a) any corporation more than 50%
         ----------
of whose stock of any class or classes having by the terms thereof ordinary
voting power to elect a majority of the directors of such corporation
(irrespective of whether or not at the time, any class or classes of such
corporation shall have or might have voting power by 

                                      23
<PAGE>
 
        reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time owned by such
        Person directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries, and (b) any
        partnership, association, joint venture or other entity in which such
        Person directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries has more than 50% of
        the voting interests at any time. Unless otherwise identified,
        "Subsidiary" or "Subsidiaries" shall mean Subsidiaries of the Company.

              "Termination Date" means January 2, 2002, or if extended with the
               ----------------
        written consent of each of the Lenders, such later date as to which the
        Termination Date may be extended.

              "Voting Stock" means, with respect to any Person, capital stock
               ------------
        issued by such Person the holders of which are ordinarily, in the
        absence of contingencies, entitled to vote for the election of directors
        (or persons performing similar functions) of such Person, even though
        the right so to vote has been suspended by the happening of such a
        contingency.

              "Wholly-Owned" when used by reference to "Wholly-Owned Subsidiary"
               ------------
        or "Wholly-Owned Domestic Credit Party" or the like, means a Subsidiary
        or Domestic Credit Party one hundred percent (100%) of the Voting Stock
        or other equity interests of which are owned, directly or indirectly by
        such Person. Except as otherwise specifically identified, references to
        "Wholly-Owned Subsidiary" or "Wholly-Owned Domestic Credit Party" or the
        like shall mean Wholly-Owned by the Company.

        1.2   Computation of Time Periods.
              ---------------------------

              For purposes of computation of periods of time hereunder, the word
"from" means "from and including" and the words "to" and "until" each mean "to
but excluding."

        1.3   Accounting Terms.
              ----------------
 
              Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all accounting
terms used herein shall be interpreted, and all financial statements and
certificates and reports as to financial matters required to be delivered to the
Lenders hereunder shall be prepared, in accordance with GAAP applied on a
consistent basis. All calculations made for the purposes of determining
compliance with this Credit Agreement shall (except as otherwise expressly
provided herein) be made by application of GAAP applied on a basis consistent
with the most recent annual or quarterly financial statements delivered pursuant
to Section 7.1 hereof (or, prior to the delivery of the first financial
statements pursuant to Section 7.1 hereof, consistent with the annual audited
financial statements referenced in Section 6.1(i)); provided, however, if (a)
                                                    --------  -------
the Company shall object to determining such compliance on such basis at the
time of delivery of such financial statements due to any change in GAAP or the
rules promulgated with respect thereto or (b) the Administrative Agent or the
Required Lenders shall so object in writing within 30 days after delivery of
such financial statements, then such calculations shall be made on a basis
consistent with the most recent financial statements delivered by the Borrower
to the Lenders as to which no such objection shall have been made.

                                      24
<PAGE>
 
                                   SECTION 2

                               CREDIT FACILITIES
                               -----------------

        2.1  Revolving Loans.
             ---------------

        (a)  Revolving Commitment. During the Commitment Period, subject to the
             --------------------
terms and conditions hereof, each Lender severally agrees to make revolving
credit loans (the "Revolving Loans") to the Borrower from time to time in the
                   ---------------
amount of such Lender's Revolving Commitment Percentage of such Revolving Loans
for the purposes hereinafter set forth; provided that (i) with regard to the
                                        --------
Lenders collectively, the aggregate principal amount of Obligations outstanding
at any time shall not exceed the lesser of (A) FIVE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS
($500,000,000) (as referenced on Schedule 2.1(a), the "Revolving Committed
                                 ---------------       -------------------
Amount") or (B) until the Security Release Date relating to inventory (but not
------
thereafter), the Borrowing Base, and (ii) with regard to each Lender
individually, such Lender's Revolving Commitment Percentage of Obligations
outstanding at any time shall not exceed such Lender's Revolving Committed
Amount. Revolving Loans may consist of Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans, or a
combination thereof, as the Borrower may request, and may be repaid and
reborrowed in accordance with the provisions hereof.

        (b)  Revolving Loan Borrowings.
             -------------------------
             (i)   Notice of Borrowing. The Borrower shall request a Revolving
                   -------------------
        Loan borrowing by delivery of a Notice of Borrowing (or telephone notice
        promptly confirmed in writing) substantially in the form of Schedule
                                                                    --------
        2.1(b)(i) to the Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 Noon
        ---------
        (Charlotte, North Carolina time) on the date of the requested borrowing
        (which shall be a Business Day) in the case of Base Rate Loans, and on
        the third Business Day prior to the date of the requested borrowing in
        the case of Eurodollar Loans. Each such request for borrowing shall be
        irrevocable and shall specify (A) that a Revolving Loan is requested,
        (B) the date of the requested borrowing (which shall be a Business Day),
        (C) the aggregate principal amount to be borrowed, and (D) whether the
        borrowing shall be comprised of Base Rate Loans, Eurodollar Loans or a
        combination thereof, and if Eurodollar Loans are requested, the Interest
        Period(s) therefor. If the Borrower shall fail to specify in any such
        Notice of Borrowing (I) an applicable Interest Period in the case of a
        Eurodollar Loan, then such notice shall be deemed to be a request for an
        Interest Period of one month, or (II) the type of Revolving Loan
        requested, then such notice shall be deemed to be a request for a Base
        Rate Loan hereunder. The Administrative Agent shall give notice to each
        Lender promptly upon receipt of each Notice of Borrowing pursuant to
        this Section 2.1(b)(i), the contents thereof and each such Lender's
        share of any borrowing to be made pursuant thereto.

             (ii)  Minimum Amounts. Each Revolving Loan shall be in a minimum
                   ---------------
        aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000, in the case of Eurodollar
        Loans, or $500,000 (or the remaining Revolving Committed Amount, if
        less), in the case of Base Rate Loans.

             (iii) Advances. Each Lender will make its Revolving Commitment
                   --------
           Percentage of each Revolving Loan borrowing available to the
           Administrative Agent for

                                      25
<PAGE>
 
        the account of the Borrower as specified in Section 3.14(a), or in such
        other manner as the Administrative Agent may specify in writing, by 2:00
        P.M. (Charlotte, North Carolina time) on the date specified in the
        applicable Notice of Borrowing in Dollars and in funds immediately
        available to the Administrative Agent. Such borrowing will then be made
        available to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent by crediting the
        account of the Borrower on the books of such office with the aggregate
        of the amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by the Lenders
        and in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent.

        (c)  Repayment. The principal amount of all Revolving Loans shall be due
             ---------
and payable in full on the Termination Date.

        (d)  Interest.  Subject to the provisions of Section 3.1,
             --------

             (i)  Base Rate Loans. During such periods as Revolving Loans shall
                  ---------------
        be comprised in whole or in part of Base Rate Loans, such Base Rate
        Loans shall bear interest at a per annum rate equal to the Base Rate
        plus the Applicable Percentage;
        ----

             (ii) Eurodollar Loans. During such periods as Revolving Loans shall
                  ----------------
        be comprised in whole or in part of Eurodollar Loans, such Eurodollar
        Loans shall bear interest at a per annum rate equal to the applicable
        Eurodollar Rate plus the Applicable Percentage.
                        ----

        Interest on Revolving Loans shall be payable in arrears on each
        applicable Interest Payment Date (or at such other times as may be
        specified herein).

        (e)  Revolving Notes. The Revolving Loans shall be evidenced by a duly
             ---------------
executed Revolving Note in favor of each Lender.

        (f)  Maximum Number of Eurodollar Loans. The Borrower will be limited
             ----------------------------------
to a maximum number of six (6) Eurodollar Loans outstanding at any time. For
purposes hereof, Eurodollar Loans with separate or different Interest Periods
will be considered as separate Eurodollar Loans even if their Interest Periods
expire on the same date.

        2.2  Letter of Credit Subfacility.
             ----------------------------

        (a)  Issuance. During the Commitment Period, subject to the terms and
             --------
conditions hereof and of the LOC Documents, if any, and such other terms and
conditions which the Issuing Lender may reasonably require, the Issuing Lender
shall issue, and the Lenders shall participate in, the existing Letters of
Credit identified on Schedule 2.2(a) and such Letters of Credit as the Borrower
                     ---------------
may request for its own account or for the account of another Credit Party as
provided herein, in a form acceptable to the Issuing Lender, for the purposes
hereinafter set forth; provided that (i) the aggregate amount of LOC Obligations
                       --------
shall not exceed THIRTY MILLION DOLLARS ($30,000,000) at any time (the "LOC
                                                                        ---
Committed Amount"), (ii) with regard to the Lenders collectively, the aggregate
----------------
principal amount of Obligations outstanding at any time shall not exceed the
lesser of (A) the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount or (B) until the Security
Release Date relating to inventory (but not thereafter), the Borrowing Base, 

                                      26
<PAGE>
 
and (iii) with regard to each Lender individually, such Lender's Revolving
Commitment Percentage of Obligations outstanding at any time shall not exceed
such Lender's Revolving Committed Amount. Letters of Credit issued hereunder
shall not have an original expiry date more than one year from the date of
issuance or extension, nor an expiry date, whether as originally issued or by
extension, extending beyond the Termination Date. Each Letter of Credit shall
comply with the related LOC Documents. The issuance date of each Letter of
Credit shall be a Business Day.

        (b) Notice and Reports. The request for the issuance of a Letter of
            ------------------
Credit shall be submitted by the Borrower to the Issuing Lender at least three
(3) Business Days prior to the requested date of issuance (or such shorter
period as may be agreed by the Issuing Lender). A form of Notice of Request for
Letter of Credit is attached as Schedule 2.2(b). The Issuing Lender will provide
                                ---------------
to the Administrative Agent at least monthly, and more frequently upon request,
a detailed summary report on its Letters of Credit and the activity thereon, in
form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent. In addition, the
Issuing Lender will provide to the Administrative Agent for dissemination to the
Lenders at least quarterly, and more frequently upon request, a detailed summary
report on its Letters of Credit and the activity thereon, including, among other
things, the Credit Party for whose account the Letter of Credit is issued, the
beneficiary, the face amount, and the expiry date. The Issuing Lender will
provide copies of the Letters of Credit to the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders promptly upon request.

        (c) Participation. Each Lender, upon issuance of a Letter of Credit,
            -------------
shall be deemed to have purchased without recourse a participation from the
applicable Issuing Lender in such Letter of Credit and the obligations arising
thereunder, in each case in an amount equal to its pro rata share of the
obligations under such Letter of Credit (based on the respective Commitment
Percentages of the Lenders) and shall absolutely, unconditionally and
irrevocably assume, and be obligated to pay to the Issuing Lender therefor and
discharge when due, its pro rata share of the obligations arising under such
Letter of Credit. Without limiting the scope and nature of each Lender's
participation in any Letter of Credit, to the extent that the Issuing Lender has
not been reimbursed as required hereunder or under any such Letter of Credit,
each such Lender shall pay to the Issuing Lender its pro rata share of such
unreimbursed drawing in same day funds on the day of notification by the Issuing
Lender of an unreimbursed drawing pursuant to the provisions of subsection (d)
hereof. The obligation of each Lender to so reimburse the Issuing Lender shall
be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by the occurrence of a
Default, an Event of Default or any other occurrence or event. Any such
reimbursement shall not relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the
Borrower to reimburse the Issuing Lender under any Letter of Credit, together
with interest as hereinafter provided.

        (d) Reimbursement. In the event of any drawing under any Letter of
            -------------
Credit, the Issuing Lender will promptly notify the Borrower. Unless the
Borrower shall immediately notify the Issuing Lender that the Borrower intends
to otherwise reimburse the Issuing Lender for such drawing, the Borrower shall
be deemed to have requested that the Lenders make a Revolving Loan in the amount
of the drawing as provided in subsection (e) hereof on the related Letter of
Credit, the proceeds of which will be used to satisfy the related reimbursement
obligations. The Borrower promises to reimburse the 

                                      27
<PAGE>
 
Issuing Lender on the day of drawing under any Letter of Credit (either with the
proceeds of a Revolving Loan obtained hereunder or otherwise) in same day funds.
If the Borrower shall fail to reimburse the Issuing Lender as provided
hereinabove, the unreimbursed amount of such drawing shall bear interest at a
per annum rate equal to the Base Rate plus the sum of (i) the Applicable
Percentage and (ii) two percent (2%). The Borrower's reimbursement obligations
hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional under all circumstances
irrespective of any rights of setoff, counterclaim or defense to payment the
Borrower may claim or have against the Issuing Lender, the Administrative Agent,
the Lenders, the beneficiary of the Letter of Credit drawn upon or any other
Person, including without limitation any defense based on any failure of the
Borrower or any other Credit Party to receive consideration or the legality,
validity, regularity or unenforceability of the Letter of Credit. The Issuing
Lender will promptly notify the other Lenders of the amount of any unreimbursed
drawing and each Lender shall promptly pay to the Administrative Agent for the
account of the Issuing Lender in Dollars and in immediately available funds, the
amount of such Lender's pro rata share of such unreimbursed drawing. Such
payment shall be made on the day such notice is received by such Lender from the
Issuing Lender if such notice is received at or before 2:00 P.M. (Charlotte,
North Carolina time) otherwise such payment shall be made at or before 12:00
Noon (Charlotte, North Carolina time) on the Business Day next succeeding the
day such notice is received. If such Lender does not pay such amount to the
Issuing Lender in full upon such request, such Lender shall, on demand, pay to
the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Lender interest on the
unpaid amount during the period from the date of such drawing until such Lender
pays such amount to the Issuing Lender in full at a rate per annum equal to, if
paid within two (2) Business Days of the date that such Lender is required to
make payments of such amount pursuant to the preceding sentence, the Federal
Funds Rate and thereafter at a rate equal to the Base Rate. Each Lender's
obligation to make such payment to the Issuing Lender, and the right of the
Issuing Lender to receive the same, shall be absolute and unconditional, shall
not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever and without regard to the
termination of this Credit Agreement or the Commitments hereunder, the existence
of a Default or Event of Default or the acceleration of the obligations of the
Borrower hereunder and shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding
or reduction whatsoever. Simultaneously with the making of each such payment by
a Lender to the Issuing Lender, such Lender shall, automatically and without any
further action on the part of the Issuing Lender or such Lender, acquire a
participation in an amount equal to such payment (excluding the portion of such
payment constituting interest owing to the Issuing Lender) in the related
unreimbursed drawing portion of the LOC Obligation and in the interest thereon
and in the related LOC Documents, and shall have a claim against the Borrower
with respect thereto.

        (e) Repayment with Revolving Loans. On any day on which the Borrower
            ------------------------------
shall have requested, or been deemed to have requested, a Revolving Loan advance
to reimburse a drawing under a Letter of Credit, the Administrative Agent shall
give notice to the Lenders that a Revolving Loan has been requested or deemed
requested by the Borrower to be made in connection with a drawing under a Letter
of Credit, in which case a Revolving Loan advance comprised of Base Rate Loans
(or Eurodollar Loans to the extent the Borrower has complied with the procedures
of Section 2.1(b)(i) with respect thereto) shall be immediately made to the
Borrower by all Lenders (notwithstanding any termination of the Commitments
pursuant to 

                                      28
<PAGE>
 
Section 9.2) pro rata based on the respective Commitment Percentages of the
             --- ----
Lenders (determined before giving effect to any termination of the Commitments
pursuant to Section 9.2) and the proceeds thereof shall be paid directly to the
Issuing Lender for application to the respective LOC Obligations. Each such
Lender hereby irrevocably agrees to make its pro rata share of each such
Revolving Loan immediately upon any such request or deemed request in the
amount, in the manner and on the date specified in the preceding sentence
notwithstanding (i) the amount of such borrowing may not comply with the minimum
---------------
amount for advances of Revolving Loans otherwise required hereunder, (ii)
whether any conditions specified in Section 5.2 are then satisfied, (iii)
whether a Default or an Event of Default then exists, (iv) failure for any such
request or deemed request for Revolving Loan to be made by the time otherwise
required hereunder, (v) whether the date of such borrowing is a date on which
Revolving Loans are otherwise permitted to be made hereunder or (vi) any
termination of the Commitments relating thereto immediately prior to or
contemporaneously with such borrowing. In the event that any Revolving Loan
cannot for any reason be made on the date otherwise required above (including,
without limitation, as a result of the commencement of a proceeding under the
Bankruptcy Code with respect to the Borrower or any other Credit Party), then
each such Lender hereby agrees that it shall forthwith purchase (as of the date
such borrowing would otherwise have occurred, but adjusted for any payments
received from the Borrower on or after such date and prior to such purchase)
from the Issuing Lender such participation in the outstanding LOC Obligations as
shall be necessary to cause each such Lender to share in such LOC Obligations
ratably (based upon the respective Commitment Percentages of the Lenders
(determined before giving effect to any termination of the Commitments pursuant
to Section 9.2)), provided that in the event such payment is not made on the day
of drawing, such Lender shall pay in addition to the Issuing Lender interest on
the amount of its unfunded Participation Interest at a rate equal to, if paid
within two (2) Business Days of the date of drawing, the Federal Funds Rate, and
thereafter at the Base Rate.

        (f)  Designation of other Credit Parties as Account Parties.
             ------------------------------------------------------
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Credit Agreement,
including without limitation Section 2.2(a) hereof, a Letter of Credit issued
hereunder may contain a statement to the effect that such Letter of Credit is
issued for the account of a Credit Party, provided that notwithstanding such
statement, the Borrower shall be the actual account party for all purposes of
this Credit Agreement for such Letter of Credit and such statement shall not
affect the Borrower's reimbursement obligations hereunder with respect to such
Letter of Credit.

        (g)  Renewal, Extension. The renewal or extension of any Letter of
             ------------------
Credit shall, for purposes hereof, be treated in all respects the same as the
issuance of a new Letter of Credit hereunder (subject only to such additional
fees on account thereof, if any, as may be agreed upon by the Borrower and the
respective Issuing Lender).

        (h)  Uniform Customs and Practices. The Issuing Lender may have the
             -----------------------------
Letters of Credit be subject to The Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary
Credits, as published as of the date of issue by the International Chamber of
Commerce (the "UCP"), in which case the UCP may be incorporated therein and
deemed in all respects to be a part thereof.

                                      29
<PAGE>
 
        (i)   Indemnification; Nature of Issuing Lender's Duties.
              --------------------------------------------------

              (i) In addition to its other obligations under this Section 2.2,
        the Borrower hereby agrees to protect, indemnify, pay and save the
        Issuing Lender and the other Lenders to the extent of their
        Participation Interests in Letters of Credit harmless from and against
        any and all claims, demands, liabilities, damages, losses, costs,
        charges and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) that the
        Issuing Lender may incur or be subject to as a consequence, direct or
        indirect, of (A) the issuance of any Letter of Credit or (B) the failure
        of the Issuing Lender to honor a drawing under a Letter of Credit as a
        result of any act or omission, whether rightful or wrongful, of any
        present or future de jure or de facto government or governmental
        authority (all such acts or omissions, herein called "Government Acts").
                                                              ---------------

              (ii) As between the Borrower and the Issuing Lender, the Borrower
        shall assume all risks of the acts, omissions or misuse of any Letter of
        Credit by the beneficiary thereof. The Issuing Lender shall not be
        responsible: (A) for the form, validity, sufficiency, accuracy,
        genuineness or legal effect of any document submitted by any party in
        connection with the application for and issuance of any Letter of
        Credit, even if it should in fact prove to be in any or all respects
        invalid, insufficient, inaccurate, fraudulent or forged; (B) for the
        validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or
        purporting to transfer or assign any Letter of Credit or the rights or
        benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, that may
        prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason; (C) for errors,
        omissions, interruptions or delays in transmission or delivery of any
        messages, by mail, cable, telegraph, telex or otherwise, whether or not
        they be in cipher; (D) for any loss or delay in the transmission or
        otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under a
        Letter of Credit or of the proceeds thereof; and (E) for any
        consequences arising from causes beyond the control of the Issuing
        Lender, including, without limitation, any Government Acts. None of the
        above shall affect, impair, or prevent the vesting of the Issuing
        Lender's rights or powers hereunder.

              (iii) In furtherance and extension and not in limitation of the
        specific provisions hereinabove set forth, any action taken or omitted
        by the Issuing Lender, under or in connection with any Letter of Credit
        or the related certificates, if taken or omitted in good faith, shall
        not put such Issuing Lender under any resulting liability to the
        Borrower or any other Credit Party. It is the intention of the parties
        that this Credit Agreement shall be construed and applied to protect and
        indemnify the Issuing Lender against any and all risks involved in the
        issuance of the Letters of Credit, all of which risks are hereby assumed
        by the Borrower (on behalf of itself and each of the other Credit
        Parties), including, without limitation, any and all Government Acts.
        The Issuing Lender shall not, in any way, be liable for any failure by
        the Issuing Lender or anyone else to pay any drawing under any Letter of
        Credit as a result of any Government Acts or any other cause beyond the
        control of the Issuing Lender.

                                      30
<PAGE>
 
              (iv) Nothing in this subsection (i) is intended to limit the
        reimbursement obligations of the Borrower contained in subsection (d)
        above. The obligations of the Borrower under this subsection (i) shall
        survive the termination of this Credit Agreement. No act or omissions of
        any current or prior beneficiary of a Letter of Credit shall in any way
        affect or impair the rights of the Issuing Lender to enforce any right,
        power or benefit under this Credit Agreement.

              (v)  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
        subsection (i), the Borrower shall have no obligation to indemnify the
        Issuing Lender in respect of any liability incurred by the Issuing
        Lender (A) arising out of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of
        the Issuing Lender, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction,
        (B) caused by the Issuing Lender's failure to pay under any Letter of
        Credit after presentation to it of a request strictly complying with the
        terms and conditions of such Letter of Credit, as determined by a court
        of competent jurisdiction, unless such payment is prohibited by any law,
        regulation, court order or decree or (C) paying under a Letter of Credit
        where the documents on their face do not meet the requirements of such
        Letter of Credit.

        (j) Responsibility of Issuing Lender. It is expressly understood and
            --------------------------------
agreed that the obligations of the Issuing Lender hereunder to the Lenders are
only those expressly set forth in this Credit Agreement and that the Issuing
Lender shall be entitled to assume that the conditions precedent set forth in
Section 5.2 have been satisfied unless it shall have acquired actual knowledge
that any such condition precedent has not been satisfied; provided, however,
                                                          --------  -------
that nothing set forth in this Section 2.2 shall be deemed to prejudice the
right of any Lender to recover from the Issuing Lender any amounts made
available by such Lender to the Issuing Lender pursuant to this Section 2.2 in
the event that (a) the payment with respect to a Letter of Credit constituted
gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Issuing Lender, or (b)
the payment was made where the documents on their face did not meet the
requirements of such Letter of Credit.

        (k) Conflict with LOC Documents. In the event of any conflict between
            ---------------------------
this Credit Agreement and any LOC Document (including any letter of credit
application), this Credit Agreement shall control.

                                   SECTION 3

                OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO CREDIT FACILITIES
                ----------------------------------------------

        3.1 Default Rate.
            ------------

            Upon the occurrence, and during the continuance, of an Event of
Default, the principal of and, to the extent permitted by law, interest on the
Loans and any other amounts owing hereunder or under the other Credit Documents
shall bear interest, payable upon written demand by the Administrative Agent, at
a per annum rate 2% greater than the rate which would otherwise be applicable
(or if no rate is applicable, whether in respect of interest, fees or other
amounts, then 2% greater than the Base Rate).

                                      31
<PAGE>
 
        3.2  Extension and Conversion.
             ------------------------

             Subject to the terms of Section 5.2, the Borrower shall have the
option, on any Business Day, to extend existing Loans into a subsequent
permissible Interest Period or to convert Loans into Loans of another interest
rate type; provided, however, that (i) except as provided in Section 3.8,
           --------  -------
Eurodollar Loans may be converted into Base Rate Loans only on the last day of
the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) Eurodollar Loans may be extended,
and Base Rate Loans may be converted into Eurodollar Loans, only if no Default
or Event of Default is in existence on the date of extension or conversion,
(iii) Loans extended as, or converted into, Eurodollar Loans shall be subject to
the terms of the definition of "Interest Period" set forth in Section 1.1 and
                                -------- ------
shall be in such minimum amounts as provided in Section 2.1(b)(ii) , and (iv)
any request for extension or conversion of a Eurodollar Loan which shall fail to
specify an Interest Period shall be deemed to be a request for an Interest
Period of one month. Each such extension or conversion shall be effected by the
Borrower by giving a Notice of Extension/Conversion substantially in the form of
Schedule 3.2 (or telephone notice promptly confirmed in writing) to the
------------
Administrative Agent prior to 12:00 Noon (Charlotte, North Carolina time) on the
Business Day of, in the case of the conversion of a Eurodollar Loan into a Base
Rate Loan, and on the third Business Day prior to, in the case of the extension
of a Eurodollar Loan as, or conversion of a Base Rate Loan into, a Eurodollar
Loan, the date of the proposed extension or conversion, specifying the date of
the proposed extension or conversion, the Loans to be so extended or converted,
the types of Loans into which such Loans are to be converted and, if
appropriate, the applicable Interest Periods with respect thereto. Each request
for extension or conversion shall be irrevocable and shall constitute a
representation and warranty by the Borrower of the matters specified in
subsections (a) through (e) of Section 5.2. In the event the Borrower fails to
request extension or conversion of any Eurodollar Loan in accordance with this
Section, or any such conversion or extension is not permitted or required by
this Section, then such Eurodollar Loan shall be automatically converted into a
Base Rate Loan at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto. The
Administrative Agent shall give each Lender notice as promptly as practicable of
any such proposed extension or conversion affecting any Loan.

        3.3  Prepayments.
             -----------

             (a)  Voluntary Repayments. Revolving Loans may be repaid in whole
                  --------------------
or in part without premium or penalty; provided that (i) Eurodollar Loans may be
                                       --------
prepaid only upon three (3) Business Days' prior written notice to the
Administrative Agent and must be accompanied by payment of any amounts owing
under Section 3.11, and (ii) partial repayments shall be minimum principal
amounts of $1,000,000, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, and $500,000, in the
case of Base Rate Loans.

             (b)  Mandatory Prepayments.  The Borrower will make the following
                  ---------------------
 prepayments:

                     (i) Commitment Limitations. If at any time, (A) the
                         ----------------------
        aggregate principal amount of Obligations shall exceed the lesser of the
                                                                   ------
        Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount or, until the Security Release Date
        relating to inventory (but not thereafter), the Borrowing Base, or (B)
        the aggregate amount of LOC Obligations shall exceed the LOC Committed
        Amount, the Borrower shall immediately make payment on 

                                      32
<PAGE>
 
        the Revolving Loans and/or to a cash collateral account in respect of
        the LOC Obligations, in an amount sufficient to eliminate the
        difference.

                    (ii)  Asset Dispositions. The Borrower will make prepayment
                          ------------------
        on the Revolving Loans and/or to a cash collateral account in respect of
        LOC Obligations in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the
        Net Proceeds received from Asset Dispositions.

                    (iii) Debt, Equity and Securitization Transactions. The
                          --------------------------------------------
        Borrower will make prepayment on the Revolving Loans and/or to a cash
        collateral account in respect of LOC Obligations in an amount equal to
        one hundred percent (100%) of the Net Proceeds received from any Debt
        Transaction, Equity Transaction or Securitization Transaction (other
        than the Excluded Securitization Transaction).

              (c)  Application. Unless otherwise specified by the Borrower,
                   -----------
prepayments made hereunder shall be applied first to Base Rate Loans, then to
Eurodollar Loans in direct order of Interest Period maturities and then to a
cash collateral account to secure LOC Obligations. Amounts prepaid hereunder may
be reborrowed in accordance with the provisions hereof.

        3.4   Termination and Reduction of Commitments
              ----------------------------------------

              (a)  Voluntary Reductions. The Revolving Commitments may be
                   --------------------
terminated or permanently reduced in whole or in part upon three (3) Business
Days' prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, provided that (i) after
                                                        --------
giving effect to any voluntary reduction the aggregate amount of Obligations
shall not exceed the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount, as reduced, and (ii)
partial reductions shall be minimum principal amount of $5,000,000, and in
integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof.

              (b)  Mandatory Reduction. The Commitments hereunder shall
                   -------------------
terminate on the Termination Date.

        3.5   Fees.
              ----

              (a)  Commitment Fee. In consideration of the Revolving Commitments
                   --------------
hereunder, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the
ratable benefit of the Lenders a commitment fee (the "Commitment Fee") equal to
                                                      --------------
the Applicable Percentage per annum on the average daily unused amount of the
Revolving Committed Amount for the applicable period. The Commitment Fee shall
be payable quarterly in arrears on the 15th day following the last day of each
calendar quarter for the immediately preceding quarter (or portion thereof)
beginning with the first such date to occur after the Closing Date.

              (b)  Letter of Credit Fees.
                   ---------------------

                    (i)   Letter of Credit Fee. In consideration of the LOC
                          --------------------
        Commitment hereunder, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative
        Agent for the ratable benefit of the Lenders a fee (the "Letter of
                                                                 ---------
        Credit Fee") equal to the Applicable Percentage per annum on the average
        ----------
        daily maximum amount available to be drawn under outstanding 

                                      33
<PAGE>
 
        Letters of Credit from the date of issuance to the date of expiration.
        The Letter of Credit Fee shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the
        15th day following the last day of each calendar quarter for the
        immediately preceding quarter (or portion thereof) beginning with the
        first such date to occur after the Closing Date.

                  (ii)  Issuing Lender Fee. In addition to the Letter of Credit
                        ------------------
        Fee, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Issuing Lender for its own
        account without sharing by the other Lenders (A) fronting fees of one-
        eighth (%) per annum on the average daily maximum amount available to be
        drawn under outstanding Letters of Credit payable quarterly in arrears
        with the Letter of Credit Fee, and (B) customary charges of the Issuing
        Lender with respect to the issuance, amendment, and cancellation, and
        conversion of, and drawings under, such Letters of Credit as may be
        agreed upon by the Issuing Lender and the Borrower (collectively, the
        "Issuing Lender Fees").
         -------------------

              (c)  Administrative Fees. The Borrower agrees to pay to the
                   -------------------
Administrative Agent, for its own account, an annual administrative fee and such
other fees, if any, referred to in the Administrative Agent's Fee Letter
(collectively, the "Administrative Agent's Fees").
                    ---------------------------

        3.6   Capital Adequacy.
              ----------------

              If any Lender has determined, after the date hereof, that the
adoption or the becoming effective of, or any change in, or any change by any
Governmental Authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the
interpretation or administration thereof in the interpretation or administration
of, any applicable law, rule or regulation regarding capital adequacy, or
compliance by such Lender with any request or directive regarding capital
adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) of any such authority, central
bank or comparable agency, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of
return on such Lender's capital or assets as a consequence of its commitments or
obligations hereunder to a level below that which such Lender could have
achieved but for such adoption, effectiveness, change or compliance (taking into
consideration such Lender's policies with respect to capital adequacy), then,
upon notice from such Lender to the Borrower, the Borrower shall be obligated to
pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such
Lender on an after-tax basis for such reduction. Each determination by any such
Lender of amounts owing under this Section shall, absent manifest error, be
conclusive and binding on the parties hereto.

        3.7   Inability To Determine Interest Rate.
              ------------------------------------

        If prior to the first day of any Interest Period, the Administrative
Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be conclusive and binding
upon the Borrower absent manifest error) that, by reason of circumstances
affecting the relevant market, adequate and reasonable means do not exist for
ascertaining the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period, the Administrative
Agent shall give telecopy or telephonic notice thereof to the Borrower and the
Lenders as soon as practicable thereafter. If such notice is given (a) any
Eurodollar Loans requested to be made on the first day of such Interest Period
shall be made as Base Rate Loans and (b) any Loans that were to have been
converted on the first day of such Interest Period to or continued as Eurodollar
Loans shall be converted to or continued as Base Rate Loans. Until such notice
has been withdrawn by the Administrative Agent, no further Eurodollar Loans
shall be 

                                      34
<PAGE>
 
made or continued as such, nor shall the Borrower have the right to convert Base
Rate Loans to Eurodollar Loans.

           3.8       Illegality.
                     ----------
           Notwithstanding any other provision herein, if the adoption of or any
change in any Requirement of Law or in the interpretation or application thereof
occurring after the Closing Date shall make it unlawful for any Lender to make
or maintain Eurodollar Loans as contemplated by this Credit Agreement, (a) such
Lender shall promptly give written notice of such circumstances to the Borrower
and the Administrative Agent (which notice shall be withdrawn whenever such
circumstances no longer exist), (b) the commitment of such Lender hereunder to
make Eurodollar Loans, continue Eurodollar Loans as such and convert a Base Rate
Loan to Eurodollar Loans shall forthwith be canceled and, until such time as it
shall no longer be unlawful for such Lender to make or maintain Eurodollar
Loans, such Lender shall then have a commitment only to make a Base Rate Loan
when a Eurodollar Loan is requested and (c) such Lender's Loans then outstanding
as Eurodollar Loans, if any, shall be converted automatically to Base Rate Loans
on the respective last days of the then current Interest Periods with respect to
such Loans or within such earlier period as required by law. If any such
conversion of a Eurodollar Loan occurs on a day which is not the last day of the
then current Interest Period with respect thereto, the Borrower shall pay to
such Lender such amounts, if any, as may be required pursuant to Section 3.11.

           3.9       Requirements of Law.
                     -------------------

           If, after the date hereof, the adoption of or any change in any
Requirement of Law or in the interpretation or application thereof applicable to
any Lender, or compliance by any Lender with any request or directive (whether
or not having the force of law) from any central bank or other Governmental
Authority, in each case made subsequent to the Closing Date (or, if later, the
date on which such Lender becomes a Lender):

                               (a) shall subject such Lender to any tax of any
           kind whatsoever with respect to any Letter of Credit, any Eurodollar
           Loans made by it or its obligation to make Eurodollar Loans, or
           change the basis of taxation of payments to such Lender in respect
           thereof (except for (i) Non-Excluded Taxes covered by Section 3.10
           (including Non-Excluded Taxes imposed solely by reason of any failure
           of such Lender to comply with its obligations under Section 3.10(b))
           and (ii) changes in taxes measured by or imposed upon the overall net
           income, or franchise tax (imposed in lieu of such net income tax), of
           such Lender or its applicable lending office, branch, or any
           affiliate thereof));

                               (b) shall impose, modify or hold applicable any
           reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan or similar requirement
           against assets held by, deposits or other liabilities in or for the
           account of, advances, loans or other extensions of credit by, or any
           other acquisition of funds by, any office of such Lender which is not
           otherwise included in the determination of the Eurodollar Rate
           hereunder; or

                               (c) shall impose on such Lender any other
           condition (excluding any tax of any kind whatsoever); 

                                      35
<PAGE>
 
           and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to
           such Lender, by an amount which such Lender deems to be material, of
           making, converting into, continuing or maintaining Eurodollar Loans
           or issuing or participating in Letters of Credit or to reduce any
           amount receivable hereunder in respect thereof, then, in any such
           case, upon notice to the Borrower from such Lender, through the
           Administrative Agent, in accordance herewith, the Borrower shall be
           obligated to promptly pay such Lender, upon its demand, any
           additional amounts necessary to compensate such Lender on an after-
           tax basis for such increased cost or reduced amount receivable,
           provided that, in any such case, the Borrower may elect to convert
           --------
           the Eurodollar Loans made by such Lender hereunder to Base Rate Loans
           by giving the Administrative Agent at least one Business Day's notice
           of such election, in which case the Borrower shall promptly pay to
           such Lender, upon demand, without duplication, such amounts, if any,
           as may be required pursuant to Section 3.11. If any Lender becomes
           entitled to claim any additional amounts pursuant to this subsection,
           it shall provide prompt notice thereof to the Borrower, through the
           Administrative Agent, certifying (x) that one of the events described
           in this paragraph 3.9 has occurred and describing in reasonable
           detail the nature of such event, (y) as to the increased cost or
           reduced amount resulting from such event and (z) as to the additional
           amount demanded by such Lender and a reasonably detailed explanation
           of the calculation thereof. Such a certificate as to any additional
           amounts payable pursuant to this subsection submitted by such Lender,
           through the Administrative Agent, to the Borrower shall be conclusive
           and binding on the parties hereto in the absence of manifest error.
           This covenant shall survive the termination of this Credit Agreement
           and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

           3.10      Taxes.
                     -----

           (a)       Except as provided below in this subsection, all payments
           made by the Borrower or any Guarantor under this Credit Agreement and
           any Notes shall be made free and clear of, and without deduction or
           withholding for or on account of, any present or future income, stamp
           or other taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or
           withholdings, now or hereafter imposed, levied, collected, withheld
           or assessed by any court, or governmental body, agency or other
           official, excluding taxes measured by or imposed upon the overall net
           income of any Lender or its applicable lending office, or any branch
           or affiliate thereof, and all franchise taxes, branch taxes, taxes on
           doing business or taxes on the overall capital or net worth of any
           Lender or its applicable lending office, or any branch or affiliate
           thereof, in each case imposed in lieu of net income taxes, imposed:
           (i) by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such Lender,
           applicable lending office, branch or affiliate is organized or is
           located, or in which its principal executive office is located, or
           any nation within which such jurisdiction is located or any political
           subdivision thereof; or (ii) by reason of any connection between the
           jurisdiction imposing such tax and such Lender, applicable lending
           office, branch or affiliate other than a connection arising solely
           from such Lender having executed, delivered or performed its
           obligations, or received payment under or enforced, this Credit
           Agreement or any Notes. If any such non-excluded taxes, levies,
           imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or withholdings ("Non-
                                                                        ----
           Excluded Taxes") are required to be withheld from any amounts 
           --------------
           payable to the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder or under
           any Notes, (A) the amounts so payable to the Administrative Agent or
           such Lender shall be increased to the extent necessary to yield to
           the Administrative Agent or such Lender (after payment of all Non-
           Excluded Taxes) interest or any such other amounts payable hereunder
           at the rates or in the amounts specified in this Credit Agreement and
           any Notes, provided, however, that the Borrower shall be entitled to
                      --------  -------
           deduct and withhold any Non-Excluded

                                      36
<PAGE>
 
Taxes and shall not be required to increase any such amounts payable to any
Lender that is not organized under the laws of the United States of America or a
state thereof if such Lender fails to comply with the requirements of paragraph
(b) of this subsection whenever any Non-Excluded Taxes are payable by the
Borrower, and (B) as promptly as possible thereafter the Borrower shall send to
the Administrative Agent for its own account or for the account of such Lender,
as the case may be, a certified copy of an original official receipt received by
the Borrower showing payment thereof or other evidence of remittance of Non-
Excluded Taxes reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent. If the
Borrower fails to pay any Non-Excluded Taxes when due to the appropriate taxing
authority or fails to remit to the Administrative Agent the required receipts or
other required documentary evidence, the Borrower shall indemnify the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders for any incremental taxes, interest or
penalties that may become payable by the Administrative Agent or any Lender as a
result of any such failure. The agreements in this subsection shall survive the
termination of this Credit Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other
amounts payable hereunder.

           (b)       Each Lender that is not incorporated or organized under the
laws of the United States of America or a state thereof shall:

                     (X)(i) on or before the date it becomes a Lender, deliver
           to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (A) two (2) properly
           completed and duly executed copies of United States Internal Revenue
           Service Form 1001 or 4224, or successor applicable form, as the case
           may be, certifying that it is entitled to receive payments under this
           Credit Agreement and any Notes without deduction or withholding of
           any United States federal income taxes and (B) an Internal Revenue
           Service Form W-8 or W-9, or successor applicable form, as the case
           may be, certifying that it is entitled to an exemption from United
           States backup withholding tax;

                     (ii)   deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent
           two (2) further properly completed and duly executed copies of any
           such form or certification on or before the date that any such form
           or certification expires or becomes obsolete and after the occurrence
           of any event requiring a change in the most recent form previously
           delivered by it to the Borrower; and

                     (iii)  obtain such extensions of time for filing and
           complete such forms or certifications as may reasonably be requested
           by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent; or

                     (Y)    in the case of any such Lender that is not a "bank"
           within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue
           Code, (i) on or before the date it becomes a Lender, deliver to the
           Borrower (for the benefit of the Borrower and the Administrative
           Agent) (A) a statement under penalties of perjury that it (1) is not
           a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal
           Revenue Code, (2) is not a 10-percent shareholder within the meaning
           of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, and (3) is not a controlled
           foreign corporation receiving interest from a related person within
           the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (B) two (2)
           properly completed and duly executed copies of Internal Revenue
           Service Form W-8, or successor applicable form certifying to such
           Lender's legal entitlement at the date of such certificate to an
           exemption 

                                      37
<PAGE>
 
           from U.S. withholding tax under the provisions of Section 881(c) of
           the Internal Revenue Code with respect to payments to be made under
           this Credit Agreement and any Notes (ii) deliver to the Borrower and
           the Administrative Agent two (2) further properly completed and duly
           executed copies of such form on or before the date it expires or
           becomes obsolete and after the occurrence of any event requiring a
           change in the most recently provided form, (iii) if necessary, obtain
           any extensions of time reasonably requested by the Borrower or the
           Administrative Agent for filing and completing such forms, and (iv)
           agree, to the extent legally entitled to do so, upon reasonable
           request by the Borrower, to provide to the Borrower (for the benefit
           of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent) such other forms as may
           be reasonably required in order to establish the legal entitlement of
           such Lender to an exemption from withholding with respect to payments
           under this Credit Agreement and any Notes;

unless in any such case any change in treaty, law or regulation has occurred
after the date such Person becomes a Lender hereunder which renders all such
forms inapplicable or which would prevent such Lender from duly completing and
delivering any such form with respect to it and such Lender so advises the
Borrower and the Administrative Agent. Each Person that shall become a Lender or
a participant of a Lender pursuant to subsection 11.3 shall and each Lender
shall, upon a change in its applicable lending office, upon the effectiveness of
the related transfer, be required to provide all of the forms, certifications
and statements required pursuant to this subsection, provided that in the case
                                                     --------
of a participant of a Lender the obligations of such participant of a Lender
pursuant to this subsection (b) shall be determined as if the participant of a
Lender were a Lender except that such participant of a Lender shall furnish all
such required forms, certifications and statements to the Lender from which the
related participation shall have been purchased.

           (c)       If any Lender shall become aware that it is entitled to
claim a refund or credit (such credit to include any increase in any foreign tax
credit) in respect of any Non-Excluded Taxes (including any penalties or
interest with respect thereto) as to which it has been indemnified by the
Borrower or with respect to which the Borrower has paid increased amounts
pursuant to this Section 3.10, it shall promptly notify the Borrower of the
availability of such refund or credit and shall, within 30 days after receipt of
a request by the Borrower, apply for such refund or credit. If any Lender
receives a refund or credit (such credit to include any increase in any foreign
tax credit) in respect of any Non-Excluded Taxes as to which it has been
indemnified by the Borrower or with respect to which the Borrower has paid
increased amounts under this Section 3.10, it shall promptly notify the Borrower
of such refund or credit and shall, within 30 days after receipt of such refund
or the benefit of such credit (such benefit to include any reduction of the
taxes for which the Lender would otherwise be liable due to any increase in any
foreign tax credit available to such Lender) repay the amount of such refund or
benefit of such credit to the Borrower (to the extent of amounts that have been
paid by the Borrower under this Section 3.10 with respect to Non-Excluded Taxes
giving rise to such refund or credit), plus any interest received with respect
thereto, net or all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of such Lender and without
interest (other than interest actually received from the relevant taxing
authority or other governmental authority with respect to such refund or
credit); provided, however, that the Borrower, upon the request of such Lender,
         --------  -------
agrees to return the amount of such refund or benefit of such credit (plus
interest) to such Lender in the event such Lender is required to repay the
amount of such refund or benefit of such credit to the relevant taxing authority
or other governmental authority.

                                      38
<PAGE>
 
           (d)       Each Lender represents that it is not participating in, and
will not participate in, a conduit financing arrangement within the meaning of
Treas. Reg. ss.1.881-3(a)(2)(iv) in connection with the Loans.

           3.11      Indemnity.
                     ---------

           The Borrower promises to indemnify each Lender and to hold each
Lender harmless from any loss or expense which such Lender may sustain or incur
(other than through such Lender's gross negligence or willful misconduct) as a
consequence of (a) default by the Borrower in making a borrowing of, conversion
into or continuation of Eurodollar Loans after the Borrower has given a notice
requesting the same in accordance with the provisions of this Credit Agreement,
(b) default by the Borrower in making any prepayment of a Eurodollar Loan after
the Borrower has given a notice thereof in accordance with the provisions of
this Credit Agreement or (c) the making of a prepayment of Eurodollar Loans on a
day which is not the last day of an Interest Period with respect thereto. With
respect to Eurodollar Loans, such indemnification may include an amount equal to
the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest which would have accrued on
the amount so prepaid, or not so borrowed, converted or continued, for the
period from the date of such prepayment or of such failure to borrow, convert or
continue to the last day of the applicable Interest Period (or, in the case of a
failure to borrow, convert or continue, the Interest Period that would have
commenced on the date of such failure) in each case at the applicable rate of
interest for such Eurodollar Loans provided for herein (excluding, however, the
Applicable Percentage included therein, if any) over (ii) the amount of interest
(as reasonably determined by such Lender) which would have accrued to such
Lender on such amount by placing such amount on deposit for a comparable period
with leading banks in the interbank Eurodollar market. The covenants of the
Borrower set forth in this Section 3.11 shall survive the termination of this
Credit Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable
hereunder.

           3.12      Pro Rata Treatment.
                     ------------------

           Except to the extent otherwise provided herein:

           (a)       Loans. Each Loan, each payment or prepayment of principal
                     -----
of any Loan or reimbursement obligations arising from drawings under Letters of
Credit, each payment of interest on the Loans or reimbursement obligations
arising from drawings under Letters of Credit, each payment of Commitment Fees,
each payment of the Letter of Credit Fee, each reduction of the Revolving
Committed Amount and each conversion or extension of any Loan, shall be
allocated pro rata among the Lenders in accordance with the respective principal
amounts of their outstanding Loans and Participation Interests.

           (b)       Advances. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been
                     --------
notified in writing by any Lender prior to a borrowing that such Lender will not
make the amount that would constitute its ratable share of such borrowing
available to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may assume that
such Lender is making such amount available to the Administrative Agent, and the
Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to
the Borrower a corresponding amount. If such amount is not made available to the
Administrative Agent by such Lender within the time period specified therefor
hereunder, such Lender shall pay 

                                      39
<PAGE>
 
to the Administrative Agent, on demand, such amount with interest thereon at a
rate equal to the Federal Funds Rate for the period until such Lender makes such
amount immediately available to the Administrative Agent. A certificate of the
Administrative Agent submitted to any Lender with respect to any amounts owing
under this subsection shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.

           3.13      Sharing of Payments.
                     -------------------

           The Lenders agree among themselves that, in the event that any Lender
shall obtain payment in respect of any Loan, LOC Obligations or any other
obligation owing to such Lender under this Credit Agreement through the exercise
of a right of setoff, banker's lien or counterclaim, or pursuant to a secured
claim under Section 506 of Title 11 of the United States Code or other security
or interest arising from, or in lieu of, such secured claim, received by such
Lender under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law or
otherwise, or by any other means, in excess of its pro rata share of such
payment as provided for in this Credit Agreement, such Lender shall promptly
purchase from the other Lenders a participation in such Loans, LOC Obligations
and other obligations in such amounts, and make such other adjustments from time
to time, as shall be equitable to the end that all Lenders share such payment in
accordance with their respective ratable shares as provided for in this Credit
Agreement. The Lenders further agree among themselves that if payment to a
Lender obtained by such Lender through the exercise of a right of setoff,
banker's lien, counterclaim or other event as aforesaid shall be rescinded or
must otherwise be restored, each Lender which shall have shared the benefit of
such payment shall, by repurchase of a participation theretofore sold, return
its share of that benefit (together with its share of any accrued interest
payable with respect thereto) to each Lender whose payment shall have been
rescinded or otherwise restored. The Borrower agrees that any Lender so
purchasing such a participation may, to the fullest extent permitted by law,
exercise all rights of payment, including setoff, banker's lien or counterclaim,
with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a holder of
such Loan, LOC Obligations or other obligation in the amount of such
participation. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Credit Agreement,
if any Lender or the Administrative Agent shall fail to remit to the
Administrative Agent or any other Lender an amount payable by such Lender or the
Administrative Agent to the Administrative Agent or such other Lender pursuant
to this Credit Agreement on the date when such amount is due, such payments
shall be made by the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be,
together with interest thereon for each date from the date such amount is due
until the date such amount is paid to the Administrative Agent or such other
Lender at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate. If under any
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, any Lender receives a
secured claim in lieu of a setoff to which this Section 3.13 applies, such
Lender shall, to the extent practicable, exercise its rights in respect of such
secured claim in a manner consistent with the rights of the Lenders under this
Section 3.13 to share in the benefits of any recovery on such secured claim.

           3.14      Payments, Computations, Etc.
                     ----------------------------

           (a)       Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, all
payments hereunder shall be made to the Administrative Agent in Dollars in
immediately available funds, without offset, deduction, counterclaim or
withholding of any kind, at the Administrative Agent's office specified in
Section 11.1 not later than 2:00 P.M. (Charlotte, North Carolina time) on the
date when due. 

                                      40
<PAGE>
 
Payments received after such time shall be deemed to have been received on the
next succeeding Business Day. The Borrower shall, at the time it makes any
payment under this Credit Agreement, specify to the Administrative Agent the
Loans, LOC Obligations, Fees, interest or other amounts payable by the Borrower
hereunder to which such payment is to be applied (and in the event that it fails
so to specify, or if such application would be inconsistent with the terms
hereof, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the Lenders in
such manner as the Administrative Agent may determine to be appropriate in
respect of obligations owing by the Borrower hereunder, subject to the terms of
Section 3.12(a)). The Administrative Agent will distribute such payments to such
Lenders, if any such payment is received prior to 12:00 Noon (Charlotte, North
Carolina time) on a Business Day in like funds as received prior to the end of
such Business Day and otherwise the Administrative Agent will distribute such
payment to such Lenders on the next succeeding Business Day. Whenever any
payment hereunder shall be stated to be due on a day which is not a Business
Day, the due date thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day
(subject to accrual of interest and Fees for the period of such extension),
except that in the case of Eurodollar Loans, if the extension would cause the
payment to be made in the next following calendar month, then such payment shall
instead be made on the next preceding Business Day. Except as expressly provided
otherwise herein, all computations of interest and fees shall be made on the
basis of actual number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days, except with
respect to computation of interest on Base Rate Loans which (unless the Base
Rate is determined by reference to the Federal Funds Rate) shall be calculated
based on a year of 365 or 366 days, as appropriate. Interest shall accrue from
and include the date of borrowing, but exclude the date of payment.

           (b) Allocation of Payments After Event of Default. Notwithstanding
               ---------------------------------------------
any other provisions of this Credit Agreement to the contrary, after the
occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, all amounts
collected or received by the Administrative Agent or any Lender on account of
the Obligations or any other amounts outstanding under any of the Credit
Documents shall be paid over or delivered as follows:

                     FIRST, to the payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket costs
           and expenses (including without limitation reasonable attorneys'
           fees) of the Administrative Agent in connection with enforcing the
           rights of the Lenders under the Credit Documents;

                     SECOND, to payment of any fees owed to the Administrative
           Agent;

                     THIRD, to the payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket costs
           and expenses (including without limitation, reasonable attorneys'
           fees) of each of the Lenders in connection with enforcing its rights
           under the Credit Documents or otherwise with respect to the
           Obligations owing to such Lender;

                     FOURTH, to the payment of all accrued interest and fees on
           or in respect of the Obligations;

                     FIFTH, to the payment of the outstanding principal amount
           of the Obligations (including the payment or cash collateralization
           of the outstanding LOC Obligations);

                                      41
<PAGE>
 
                     SIXTH, to all other Obligations and other obligations which
           shall have become due and payable under the Credit Documents or
           otherwise and not repaid pursuant to clauses "FIRST" through "FIFTH"
           above; and

                     SEVENTH, to the payment of the surplus, if any, to whoever
           may be lawfully entitled to receive such surplus.

In carrying out the foregoing, (i) amounts received shall be applied in the
numerical order provided until exhausted prior to application to the next
succeeding category; and (ii) each of the Lenders shall receive an amount equal
to its pro rata share (based on the proportion that the then outstanding
Obligations held by such Lender bears to the aggregate then outstanding
Obligations) of amounts available to be applied pursuant to clauses "THIRD",
"FOURTH", "FIFTH" and "SIXTH" above; and (iii) to the extent that any amounts
available for distribution pursuant to clause "FIFTH" above are attributable to
the issued but undrawn amount of outstanding Letters of Credit, such amounts
shall be held by the Administrative Agent in a cash collateral account and
applied (A) first, to reimburse the Issuing Lender for any drawings under such
Letters of Credit and (B) then, following the expiration of all Letters of
Credit, to all other obligations of the types described in clauses "FIFTH" and
"SIXTH" above in the manner provided in this Section 3.14(b).

           (c)       Treatment. The Lenders agree that in the exercise of rights
                     ---------
under Sections 3.6, 3.7, 3.8 and 3.9, they will accord the Borrower the
treatment generally accorded by the Lenders to similarly situated borrowers.

           3.15      Evidence of Debt.
                     ----------------

           (a)       Each Lender shall maintain an account or accounts
evidencing each Loan made by such Lender to the Borrower from time to time,
including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender
from time to time under this Credit Agreement. Each Lender will make reasonable
efforts to maintain the accuracy of its account or accounts and to promptly
update its account or accounts from time to time, as necessary.

           (b)       The Administrative Agent shall maintain the Register
pursuant to Section 11.3(c) hereof, and a subaccount for each Lender, in which
Register and subaccounts (taken together) shall be recorded (i) the amount, type
and Interest Period of each such Loan hereunder, (ii) the amount of any
principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable to each
Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative
Agent hereunder from or for the account of the Borrower and each Lender's share
thereof. The Administrative Agent will make reasonable efforts to maintain the
accuracy of the subaccounts referred to in the preceding sentence and to
promptly update such subaccounts from time to time, as necessary.

           (c)       The entries made in the accounts, Register and subaccounts
maintained pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section 3.15 (and, if consistent
with the entries of the Administrative Agent, subsection (a)) shall be prima
facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations of the Borrower
therein recorded; provided, however, that the failure of any Lender or the
                  --------  -------
Administrative Agent to maintain any such account, such Register or such
subaccount, as applicable, or any error 

                                      42
<PAGE>
 
therein, shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay
the Loans made by such Lender in accordance with the terms hereof.

           3.16      Release of Collateral.
                     ---------------------

           The security interests which have been granted in connection
herewith, consisting primarily of inventory pursuant to the terms of the
Security Agreement and pledged stock pursuant to the terms of the Pledge
Agreement, will, at the request and expense of the Borrower, be released by the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders on the respective Security Release Date.
The Administrative Agent is specifically authorized and directed by the Lenders
to take such action as is necessary or appropriate to give effect to such
release.

                                   SECTION 4
                                   GUARANTY
                                   --------

           4.1       The Guarantee.
                     -------------

           Each of the Guarantors hereby jointly and severally guarantees to
each Lender, to each Affiliate of a Lender that enters into a Hedging Agreement
and to the Administrative Agent as hereinafter provided the prompt payment of
the Guaranteed Obligations in full when due (whether at stated maturity, as a
mandatory prepayment, by acceleration, a mandatory cash collateralization or
otherwise) strictly in accordance with the terms thereof. The Guarantors hereby
further agree that if any of the Guaranteed Obligations are not paid in full
when due (whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by
acceleration, as mandatory cash collateralization or otherwise and after giving
effect to any grace periods), the Guarantors will, jointly and severally,
promptly pay the same, without any demand or notice whatsoever, and that in the
case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any of the Guaranteed
Obligations, the same will be promptly paid in full when due (whether at
extended maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration or otherwise and
after giving effect to any grace periods) in accordance with the terms of such
extension or renewal. This is a guaranty of payment and not of collection.

           Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein or in
any other of the Credit Documents or Hedging Agreements, to the extent the
obligations of a Guarantor shall be adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable
for any reason (including, without limitation, because of any applicable state
or federal law relating to fraudulent conveyances or transfers) then the
obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall be limited to the maximum amount
that is permissible under applicable law (whether federal or state and
including, without limitation, the Bankruptcy Code).

           4.2       Obligations Unconditional.
                     -------------------------

           The obligations of the Guarantors under Section 4.1 hereof are joint
and several, absolute and unconditional, irrespective of the value, genuineness,
validity, regularity or enforceability of any of the Credit Documents or Hedging
Agreements, or any other agreement or instrument referred to therein, or any
substitution, release or exchange of any other guarantee of or security for 

                                      43
<PAGE>
 
any of the Guaranteed Obligations, and, to the fullest extent permitted by
applicable law, irrespective of any other circumstance whatsoever which might
otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a surety or
guarantor, it being the intent of this Section 4.2 that the obligations of the
Guarantors hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all
circumstances. Each Guarantor agrees that such Guarantor shall have no right of
subrogation, indemnity, reimbursement or contribution against the Borrower or
any other Guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations for amounts paid under this
Guaranty until such time as the Lenders (and any Affiliates of Lenders entering
into Hedging Agreements) have been paid in full, all Commitments under the
Credit Agreement have been terminated and no Person or Governmental Authority
shall have any right to request any return or reimbursement of funds from the
Lenders in connection with monies received under the Credit Documents or Hedging
Agreements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is agreed that,
to the fullest extent permitted by law, the occurrence of any one or more of the
following shall not alter or impair the liability of any Guarantor hereunder
which shall remain absolute and unconditional as described above:

                     (i) at any time or from time to time, without notice to any
           Guarantor, the time for any performance of or compliance with any of
           the Guaranteed Obligations shall be extended, or such performance or
           compliance shall be waived;

                     (ii) any of the acts mentioned in any of the provisions of
           any of the Credit Documents, any Hedging Agreement or any other
           agreement or instrument referred to in the Credit Documents or
           Hedging Agreements shall be done or omitted;

                     (iii) the maturity of any of the Guaranteed Obligations
           shall be accelerated, or any of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be
           modified, supplemented or amended in any respect, or any right under
           any of the Credit Documents, any Hedging Agreement or any other
           agreement or instrument referred to in the Credit Documents or
           Hedging Agreements shall be waived or any other guarantee of any of
           the Guaranteed Obligations or any security therefor shall be released
           or exchanged in whole or in part or otherwise dealt with;

                     (iv) any Lien granted to, or in favor of, the
           Administrative Agent or any Lender or Lenders as security for any of
           the Guaranteed Obligations shall fail to attach or be perfected or
           shall be released or discharged in whole or in part; or

                     (v) any of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be determined
           to be void or voidable (including, without limitation, for the
           benefit of any creditor of any Guarantor) or shall be subordinated to
           the claims of any Person (including, without limitation, any creditor
           of any Guarantor).

With respect to its obligations hereunder, each Guarantor hereby expressly
waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, protest and all notices
whatsoever, and any requirement that the Administrative Agent or any Lender
exhaust any right, power or remedy or proceed against any Person under any of
the Credit Documents, any Hedging Agreement or any other agreement or instrument
referred to in the Credit Documents or Hedging Agreements, or against any other
Person under any other guarantee of, or security for, any of the Guaranteed
Obligations.

                                      44
<PAGE>
 
           4.3       Reinstatement.
                     -------------

           The obligations of the Guarantors under this Section 4 shall be
automatically reinstated if and to the extent that for any reason any payment by
or on behalf of any Person in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations is rescinded
or must be otherwise restored by any holder of any of the Guaranteed
Obligations, whether as a result of any proceedings in bankruptcy or
reorganization or otherwise, and each Guarantor agrees that it will indemnify
the Administrative Agent and each Lender on demand for all reasonable costs and
expenses (including, without limitation, fees and expenses of counsel) incurred
by the Administrative Agent or such Lender in connection with such rescission or
restoration, including any such costs and expenses incurred in defending against
any claim alleging that such payment constituted a preference, fraudulent
transfer or similar payment under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law.

           4.4       Certain Additional Waivers.
                     --------------------------

           Without limiting the generality of the provisions of this Section 4,
each Guarantor hereby specifically waives the benefits of N.C. Gen. Stat. ss.ss.
26-7 through 26-9, inclusive. Each Guarantor further agrees that such Guarantor
shall have no right of recourse to security for the Guaranteed Obligations,
except through the exercise of the rights of subrogation pursuant to Section
4.2.

           4.5       Remedies.
                     --------

           The Guarantors agree that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, as
between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders, on the other hand, the Guaranteed Obligations may be declared to be
forthwith due and payable as provided in Section 9.2 hereof (and shall be deemed
to have become automatically due and payable in the circumstances provided in
said Section 9.2) for purposes of Section 4.1 hereof notwithstanding any stay,
injunction or other prohibition preventing such declaration (or preventing the
Guaranteed Obligations from becoming automatically due and payable) as against
any other Person and that, in the event of such declaration (or the Guaranteed
Obligations being deemed to have become automatically due and payable), the
Guaranteed Obligations (whether or not due and payable by any other Person)
shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for purposes of said
Section 4.1.

           4.6       Rights of Contribution.
                     ----------------------

           The Guarantors hereby agree, as among themselves, that if any
Guarantor shall become an Excess Funding Guarantor (as defined below), each
other Guarantor shall, on demand of such Excess Funding Guarantor (but subject
to the succeeding provisions of this Section 4.6), pay to such Excess Funding
Guarantor an amount equal to such Guarantor's Pro Rata Share (as defined below
and determined, for this purpose, without reference to the properties, assets,
liabilities and debts of such Excess Funding Guarantor) of such Excess Payment
(as defined below). The payment obligation of any Guarantor to any Excess
Funding Guarantor under this Section 4.6 shall be subordinate and subject in
right of payment to the prior payment in full of the obligations of such
Guarantor under the other provisions of this Section 4, and such Excess Funding
Guarantor shall not exercise any right or remedy with respect to such excess
until payment and satisfaction in 

                                      45
<PAGE>
 
full of all of such obligations. For purposes hereof, (i) "Excess Funding
                                                           --------------
Guarantor" shall mean, in respect of any obligations arising under the other
---------
provisions of this Section 4 (hereafter, the "Guarantied Obligations"), a
                                              ----------------------
Guarantor that has paid an amount in excess of its Pro Rata Share of the
Guarantied Obligations; (ii) "Excess Payment" shall mean, in respect of any
                              --------------
Guarantied Obligations, the amount paid by an Excess Funding Guarantor in excess
of its Pro Rata Share of such Guarantied Obligations; and (iii) "Pro Rata
                                                                 --------
Share", for the purposes of this Section 4.6, shall mean, for any Guarantor, the
ratio (expressed as a percentage) of (a) the amount by which the aggregate
present fair saleable value of all of its assets and properties exceeds the
amount of all debts and liabilities of such Guarantor (including contingent,
subordinated, unmatured, and unliquidated liabilities, but excluding the
obligations of such Guarantor hereunder) to (b) the amount by which the
aggregate present fair saleable value of all assets and other properties of the
Borrower and all of the Guarantors exceeds the amount of all of the debts and
liabilities (including contingent, subordinated, unmatured, and unliquidated
liabilities, but excluding the obligations of the Borrower and the Guarantors
hereunder) of the Borrower and all of the Guarantors, all as of the Closing Date
(if any Guarantor becomes a party hereto subsequent to the Closing Date, then
for the purposes of this Section 4.6 such subsequent Guarantor shall be deemed
to have been a Guarantor as of the Closing Date and the information pertaining
to, and only pertaining to, such Guarantor as of the date such Guarantor became
a Guarantor shall be deemed true as of the Closing Date).

           4.7       Continuing Guarantee.
                     --------------------

           The guarantee in this Section 4 is a continuing guarantee, and shall
apply to all Guaranteed Obligations whenever arising.

                                   SECTION 5
                                  CONDITIONS
                                  ----------

           5.1       Conditions to Closing.
                     ---------------------

           This Credit Agreement shall become effective, and the initial
Extensions of Credit may be made, upon the satisfaction of the following
conditions precedent:

                     (a)  Execution of Credit Agreement and Credit Documents.
                          --------------------------------------------------
Receipt of (i) multiple counterparts of this Credit Agreement, (ii) a Revolving
Note for each Lender, (iii) multiple counterparts of the Pledge Agreement and
the Security Agreement and UCC financing statements relating thereto, if any, in
each case executed by a duly authorized officer of each party thereto and in
each case conforming to the requirements of this Credit Agreement.

                     (b)  Stock Certificates. Receipt of original stock
                          ------------------
certificates evidencing the ownership interests of the Credit Parties pledged
pursuant to the Pledge Agreement, together in each case with original undated
stock powers executed in blank (evidencing, among other things, 100% of the
voting stock of the Borrower).

                                      46
<PAGE>
 
                     (c)  Financial Information.  Receipt of financial
                          ---------------------
information regarding the Company and the Borrower and their subsidiaries, as
may be requested by, and in each case in form and substance satisfactory to the
Agents.

                     (d)  Environmental Reports.  Receipt of copies
                          ---------------------
environmental assessment reports and other environmental documentation, if any,
relating to properties owned or leased by members of the Consolidated Group
which reports and documentation shall be in form and substance satisfactory to
the Agents and the Required Lenders.

                     (e)  Absence of Legal Proceedings.  The absence of any
                          ----------------------------
action , suit, investigation or proceeding pending in any court or before any
arbitrator or governmental instrumentality which could reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect on the Consolidated Group taken as a whole.

                     (f)  Appraisals.  Receipt of copies of asset appraisal
                          ----------
reports, if any, relating to real and personal property of the members of the
Consolidated Group.

                     (g)  Credit Capacity.  Evidence that the Borrower will have
                          ---------------
availability of at least $100 million under the Credit Agreement after giving
effect to the initial Extensions of Credit on the Closing Date.

                     (h)  Legal Opinions.  Receipt of multiple counterparts of
                          --------------
opinions of counsel for the Credit Parties relating to the Credit Documents and
the transactions contemplated herein, in form and substance satisfactory to the
Agents and the Lenders.

                     (i)  Corporate Documents.  Receipt of the following (or
                          -------------------
their equivalent) for each of the Credit Parties:

                               (i)        Articles of Incorporation. Copies of
                                          -------------------------
           the certificate of incorporation or charter documents certified to be
           true and complete as of a recent date by the appropriate governmental
           authority of the state of its incorporation.

                               (ii)       Resolutions. Copies of resolutions of
                                          -----------
           the Board of Directors approving and adopting the respective Credit
           Documents, the transactions contemplated therein and authorizing
           execution and delivery thereof, certified by a secretary or assistant
           secretary as of the Closing Date to be true and correct and in force
           and effect as of such date.

                               (iii)      Bylaws.  Copies of the bylaws
                                          ------
           certified by a secretary or assistant secretary as of the Closing
           Date to be true and correct and in force and effect as of such date.

                               (iv)       Good Standing. Copies, where
                                          -------------
           applicable, of (A) certificates of good standing, existence or its
           equivalent certified as of a recent date by the appropriate
           governmental authorities of the state of incorporation and each other
           state in which the failure to so qualify and be in good standing
           would have a Material Adverse Effect and (B) a certificate indicating
           payment of all corporate franchise taxes certified as of a 

                                      47
<PAGE>
 
           recent date by the appropriate governmental taxing authorities in the
           state of incorporation.

                               (v)        Officer's Certificate. An officer's
                                          ---------------------
           certificate for each of the Credit Parties dated as of the Closing
           Date substantially in the form of Schedule 5.1(i)(v) with appropriate
           insertions and attachments.

                               (vi)       Solvency Certificate. An officer's
                                          --------------------
           certificate for each of the Borrower and the Company, both dated as
           of the Closing Date and substantially in the form of Schedule
                                                                --------
           5.1(i)(vi)(A) or Schedule 5.1(i)(vi)(B), as appropriate.
           -------------    ----------------------

                     (j)  Fees.  Receipt of all fees, if any, owing pursuant to
                          ----
the Administrative Agent's Fee Letter, Section 3.5 or otherwise.

                     (k)  Subsection 5.2 Conditions.  The conditions specified 
                          -------------------------
in Section 5.2 shall be satisfied.

                     (l)  Existing Credit Facility.  Evidence that the Existing
                          ------------------------
Credit Facility has been terminated and that all Liens on collateral subject
thereto have been released.

                     (m)  Additional Matters.  All other documents and legal
                          ------------------
matters in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Credit
Agreement shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Agents
and the Required Lenders.

           5.2       Conditions to All Extensions of Credit.
                     --------------------------------------

           The obligation of the Lenders to make any Extension of Credit
hereunder (including the initial Extension of Credit to be made hereunder) is
subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent on the date of
making such Extension of Credit:

                     (a)  Representations and Warranties. The representations
                          ------------------------------
and warranties made by the Credit Parties herein or in any other Credit
Documents or which are contained in any certificate furnished at any time under
or in connection herewith shall be true and correct in all material respects on
and as of the date of such Extension of Credit as if made on and as of such date
(except for those which expressly relate to an earlier date).

                     (b)  No Default or Event of Default.  No Default or Event
                          ------------------------------
of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on such date or after giving
effect to the Extension of Credit to be made on such date unless such Default or
Event of Default shall have been waived or cured in accordance with this Credit
Agreement.

                     (c)  No Material Adverse Effect.  No circumstances, events
                          --------------------------
or conditions shall have occurred since the date of the audited financial
statements referenced in Section 6.1 which would have a Material Adverse Effect.

                     (d)  Additional Conditions to Revolving Loans.  If a
                          ----------------------------------------
Revolving Loan is made pursuant to Section 2.1, all conditions set forth therein
shall have been satisfied.

                                      48
<PAGE>
 
                     (e)  Additional Conditions to Letters of Credit.  If such
                          ------------------------------------------
Extension of Credit is made pursuant to Section 2.2, all conditions set forth
therein shall have been satisfied.

           Each request for an Extension of Credit (including extensions and
conversions) and each acceptance by the Borrower of an Extension of Credit
(including extensions and conversions) shall be deemed to constitute a
representation and warranty by the Borrower as of the date of such Extension of
Credit that the applicable conditions in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c), and in (d)
or (e) of this subsection have been satisfied.

                                   SECTION 6
                        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                        ------------------------------

           To induce the Lenders to enter into this Credit Agreement and to make
Extensions of Credit herein provided for, each of the members of the
Consolidated Group parties hereto hereby represents and warrants to the
Administrative Agent and to each Lender that:

           6.1       Financial Condition.
                     -------------------

           Each of the financial statements described below (copies of which
have heretofore been provided to the Administrative Agent for distribution to
the Lenders), have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied
throughout the periods covered thereby, present fairly the financial condition
and results from operations of the entities and for the periods specified in
accordance with GAAP, subject in the case of interim company-prepared statements
to normal year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes:

                     (i)  an audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company
           and its consolidated subsidiaries dated as of September 30, 1995,
           together with related statements income and cash flows certified by
           Ernst & Young, LLP, certified public accountants; and

                     (ii) a company-prepared consolidated balance sheet of the
           Company and its consolidated subsidiaries dated as of September 30,
           1996, together with related consolidated statements of income and
           cash flows.

           6.2       No Changes or Restricted Payments.
                     ---------------------------------

           Since the date of the audited financial statements referenced in
Section 6.1(i), (a) there has been no circumstance, development or event
relating to or affecting the members of the Consolidated Group which has had or
would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (b) except
as permitted herein, no Restricted Payments have been made or declared by any
members of the Consolidated Group.

                                      49
<PAGE>
 
           6.3       Organization; Existence; Compliance with Law.
                     --------------------------------------------

           Each of the members of the Consolidated Group (a) is a corporation
duly organized, validly existing in good standing under the laws of the
jurisdiction of its organization, (b) has the corporate power and authority, and
the legal right to own and operate its property, to lease the property it
operates as lessee and to conduct the business in which it is currently engaged,
(c) is duly qualified as a foreign entity and in good standing under the laws of
each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of property or the
conduct of its business requires such qualification, other than in such
jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified and in good standing would
not, in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, and (d) is in compliance
with all Requirements of Law, except to the extent that the failure to comply
therewith would not, in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

           6.4       Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations.
                     ---------------------------------------------

           Each of the Credit Parties has the corporate power and authority, and
the legal right, to make, deliver and perform the Credit Documents to which it
is a party and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize the
execution, delivery and performance by it of the Credit Documents to which it is
a party. No consent or authorization of, filing with, notice to or other act by
or in respect of, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is required in
connection with the borrowings hereunder or with the execution, delivery or
performance of any Credit Documents by the Credit Parties (other than those
which have been obtained, such filings as are required by the Securities and
Exchange Commission and to fulfill other reporting requirements with
Governmental Authorities) or with the validity or enforceability of any Credit
Document against the Credit Parties (except such filings as are necessary in
connection with the perfection of the Liens created by such Credit Documents).
Each Credit Document to which it is a party constitutes a legal, valid and
binding obligation of such Credit Parties enforceable against such Credit
Parties in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforceability may
be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and by
general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in
equity or at law).

           6.5       No Legal Bar.
                     ------------

           The execution, delivery and performance of the Credit Documents, the
borrowings hereunder and the use of the Extensions of Credit will not violate
any Requirement of Law or any Contractual Obligation of any member of the
Consolidated Group (except those as to which waivers or consents have been
obtained), and will not result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any
Lien on any of their respective properties or revenues pursuant to any
Requirement of Law or Contractual Obligation other than the Liens arising under
or contemplated in connection with the Credit Documents, except such violations
as will not have a Material Adverse Effect. No member of the Consolidated Group
is in default under or with respect to any of its Contractual Obligations in any
respect which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                                      50
<PAGE>
 
           6.6       No Material Litigation.
                     ----------------------

           Except as disclosed on Schedule 6.6, no claim, litigation,
                                  ------------
investigation or proceeding of or before any arbitrator or Governmental
Authority is pending or, to the best knowledge of the Credit Parties, threatened
by or against, any members of the Consolidated Group or against any of their
respective properties or revenues which (a) relate to the Credit Documents or
any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, (b) is reasonably likely
to be adversely determined and would reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

           6.7       No Default.
                     ----------

           No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

           6.8       Ownership of Property; Liens.
                     ----------------------------

           Each of members of the Consolidated Group has good record and
marketable title in fee simple to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all its
material real property, and good title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all
its other material property, and none of such property is subject to any Lien,
except for Permitted Liens.

           6.9       Intellectual Property.
                     ---------------------

           Each of the members of the Consolidated Group owns, or has the legal
right to use, all United States trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, technology,
know-how and processes, if any, necessary for each of them to conduct its
business as currently conducted (the "Intellectual Property"), except for those
                                      ------------ --------
the failure to own or have such legal right to use would not be reasonably
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No claim has been asserted and is
pending by any Person challenging or questioning the use of any such
Intellectual Property or the validity or effectiveness of any such Intellectual
Property, nor does any Credit Party know of any such claim, and, to the
knowledge of each member of the Consolidated Group, the use of such Intellectual
Property by the members of the Consolidated Group does not infringe on the
rights of any Person, except for such claims and infringements that in the
aggregate, would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

           6.10      No Burdensome Restrictions.
                     --------------------------

           No Requirement of Law or Contractual Obligation binding upon any
member of the Consolidated Group would be reasonably expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

           6.11      Taxes.
                     -----

           Each of the members of the Consolidated Group has filed or caused to
be filed or obtained extensions for all United States federal income tax returns
and all other material tax returns which, to the best knowledge of the Credit
Parties, are required to be filed and has paid (a) all taxes shown to be due and
payable on said returns or (b) all taxes shown to be due and payable on any
assessments of which it has received notice made against it or any of its
property and all other taxes, fees or other charges imposed on it or any of its
property by any Governmental Authority 

                                      51
<PAGE>
 
(other than any (i) taxes, fees or other charges with respect to which the
failure to pay, in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect or
(ii) taxes, fees or other charges the amount or validity of which are currently
being contested and with respect to which reserves in conformity with GAAP have
been provided on the books of such Person), and, except as disclosed on Schedule
                                                                        --------
6.11, no tax Lien has been filed, and, to the best knowledge of the Credit
----
Parties, no claim is being asserted, with respect to any such tax, fee or other
charge.

           6.12      ERISA
                     -----

           Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect:

           (a)       During the five-year period prior to the date on which this
representation is made or deemed made: (i) no ERISA Event has occurred; (ii) no
"accumulated funding deficiency," as such term is defined in Section 302 of
ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, whether or not waived, has occurred with
respect to any Single Employer Plan; (iii) each Plan (other than a Multiemployer
Plan) has been maintained, operated, and funded in compliance with its own terms
and in material compliance with the provisions of ERISA, the Code, and any other
applicable federal or state laws; and (iv) no lien in favor of the PBGC or a
Single Employer Plan has arisen nor have all the conditions for imposing such a
lien occurred on account of any Single Employer Plan.

           (b)       The actuarial present value of all "benefit liabilities"
(as defined in Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA), whether or not vested, under each
Single Employer Plan, as of the last annual valuation date prior to the date on
which this representation is made or deemed made (determined, in each case, in
accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement 87, utilizing the
actuarial assumptions used in such Plan's most recent actuarial valuation
report), did not exceed as of such valuation date the fair market value of the
assets of such Plan.

           (c)       No member of the Consolidated Group nor any ERISA Affiliate
has incurred, any withdrawal liability under ERISA to any Multiemployer Plan or
Multiple Employer Plan. Except as set forth on Schedule 6.12 no member of the
                                               -------------
Consolidated Group nor any ERISA Affiliate will become subject to any withdrawal
liability under ERISA if any member of the Consolidated Group or any ERISA
Affiliate were to withdraw completely from all Multiemployer Plans and Multiple
Employer Plans as of the valuation date most closely preceding the date on which
this representation is made or deemed made. No member of the Consolidated Group
nor any ERISA Affiliate has received any notification that any Multiemployer
Plan is in reorganization (within the meaning of Section 4241 of ERISA), is
insolvent (within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA), or has been terminated
(within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.

           (d)       No prohibited transaction (within the meaning of Section
406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) or breach of fiduciary responsibility
has occurred with respect to a Plan which has subjected or may subject any
member of the Consolidated Group or any ERISA Affiliate to any liability under
Sections 406, 409, 502(i), or 502(l) of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, or
under any agreement or other instrument pursuant to which any member of the
Consolidated Group or any ERISA Affiliate has agreed or is required to indemnify
any person against any such liability.

                                      52
<PAGE>
 
           6.13      Governmental Regulations, Etc.
                     -----------------------------

                     (a) No part of the proceeds of the Loans will be used,
           directly or indirectly, for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any
           "margin stock" within the meaning of Regulation G or Regulation U, or
           for the purpose of purchasing or carrying or trading in any
           securities. If requested by any Lender or the Administrative Agent,
           the Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender
           a statement to the foregoing effect in conformity with the
           requirements of FR Form U-1 referred to in said Regulation U. No
           indebtedness being reduced or retired out of the proceeds of the
           Loans was or will be incurred for the purpose of purchasing or
           carrying any margin stock within the meaning of Regulation U or any
           "margin security" within the meaning of Regulation T. "Margin stock"
           within the meanings of Regulation U does not constitute more than 25%
           of the value of the consolidated assets of the Borrower and its
           Subsidiaries. None of the transactions contemplated by this Credit
           Agreement (including, without limitation, the direct or indirect use
           of the proceeds of the Loans) will violate or result in a violation
           of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange
           Act of 1934, as amended, or regulations issued pursuant thereto, or
           Regulation G, T, U or X.

                     (b) None of the members of the Consolidated Group is
           subject to regulation under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of
           1935, the Federal Power Act or the Investment Company Act of 1940,
           each as amended. In addition, none of the members of the Consolidated
           Group is (i) an "investment company" registered or required to be
           registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and
           is not controlled by such a company, or (ii) a "holding company", or
           a "subsidiary company" of a "holding company", or an "affiliate" of a
           "holding company" or of a "subsidiary" of a "holding company", within
           the meaning of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as
           amended.

                     (c) As of the date hereof, no director, executive officer
           or principal shareholder of any member of the Consolidated Group is a
           director, executive officer or principal shareholder of any Lender.
           For the purposes hereof the terms "director", "executive officer" and
           "principal shareholder" (when used with reference to any Lender) have
           the respective meanings assigned thereto in Regulation O issued by
           the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

                     (d) Each of the members of the Consolidated Group has
           obtained all material licenses, permits, franchises or other
           governmental authorizations necessary to the ownership of its
           respective Property and to the conduct of its business except where
           such failure would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

           6.14      Subsidiaries.
                     ------------

           Set forth on Schedule 6.14 are all the Subsidiaries of the Company at
                        -------------
the Closing Date, the jurisdiction of their incorporation and the direct or
indirect ownership interest of the Company therein.

                                      53
<PAGE>
 
           6.15      Purpose of Extensions of Credit.
                     -------------------------------

           The Extensions of Credit will be used to refinance existing Funded
Debt, and to finance working capital, acquisitions (to the extent permitted
herein) and other corporate purposes. The Letters of Credit shall be used only
for or in connection with appeal bonds, reimbursement obligations arising in
connection with surety and reclamation bonds, reinsurance, domestic or
international trade transactions and obligations not otherwise aforementioned
relating to transactions entered into by the applicable account party in the
ordinary course of business.

           6.16      Environmental Matters.
                     ---------------------

           Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect:

           (a)       Each of the facilities and properties owned, leased or
operated by the members of the Consolidated Group (the "Properties") and all
                                                        ----------
operations at the Properties are in compliance with all applicable Environmental
Laws, and there is no violation of any Environmental Law with respect to the
Properties or the businesses operated by the members of the Consolidated Group
(the "Businesses"), and there are no conditions relating to the Businesses or
      ----------
Properties that could reasonably be expected to give rise to liability under any
applicable Environmental Laws.

           (b)       None of the Properties contains any Materials of
Environmental Concern at, on or under the Properties in amounts or
concentrations that constitute a violation of, or could reasonably be expected
to give rise to liability under, Environmental Laws.

           (c)       None of the members of the Consolidated Group has received
any written or verbal notice of, or inquiry from any Governmental Authority
regarding, any as yet unresolved violation, alleged violation, non-compliance,
liability or potential liability regarding environmental matters or compliance
with Environmental Laws with regard to any of the Properties or the Businesses,
nor does any member of the Consolidated Group have knowledge that any such
notice will be received or is being threatened.

           (d)       Materials of Environmental Concern have not been
transported or disposed of from the Properties, or generated, treated, stored or
disposed of at, on or under any of the Properties or any other location, in each
case by or on behalf of any members of the Consolidated Group in violation of,
any applicable Environmental Law.

           (e)       No judicial proceeding or governmental or administrative
action is pending or, to the best knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened,
under any Environmental Law to which any member of the Consolidated Group is
named as a party, nor are there any consent decrees or other decrees, consent
orders, administrative orders or other orders, or other administrative or
judicial requirements outstanding under any Environmental Law with respect to
any member of the Consolidated Group, the Properties or the Businesses.

           (f)       There has been no release or, threat of release of
Materials of Environmental Concern at or from the Properties, or arising from or
related to the operations (including, without limitation, disposal) of any
member of the Consolidated Group in connection with the Properties 

                                      54
<PAGE>
 
or otherwise in connection with the Businesses, in violation of or in amounts or
in a manner that could reasonably be expected to give rise to liability under
Environmental Laws.

                                   SECTION 7
                             AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
                             ---------------------

           Each of the Credit Parties covenants and agrees that on the Closing
Date, and so long as this Credit Agreement is in effect and until the
Commitments have been terminated, no Obligations remain outstanding and all
amounts owing hereunder or in connection herewith have been paid in full, each
of the members of the Consolidated Group party hereto shall:

           7.1       Financial Statements.
                     --------------------

           Furnish, or cause to be furnished, to the Administrative Agent for
distribution to the Lenders:

                     (a) Audited Financial Statements. As soon as available, but
                         ----------------------------
           in any event within 95 days after the end of each fiscal year, an
           audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its
           subsidiaries as of the end of the fiscal year and the related
           consolidated statements of income, retained earnings, shareholders'
           equity and cash flows for the year, audited by Ernst & Young, LLP or
           any other of the "big six" accounting firms, or such other firm of
           independent certified public accountants of nationally recognized
           standing reasonably acceptable to the Required Lenders, setting forth
           in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous year,
           reported without a "going concern" or like qualification or
           exception, or qualification indicating that the scope of the audit
           was inadequate to permit such independent certified public
           accountants to certify such financial statements without such
           qualification.

                     (b)  Company-Prepared Financial Statements.  As soon as
                          -------------------------------------
           available, but in any event

                               (i)   within 50 days after the end of each of the
                     first three fiscal quarters, a company-prepared
                     consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its
                     subsidiaries as of the end of the quarter and related
                     company-prepared consolidated statements of income,
                     retained earnings, shareholders' equity and cash flows for
                     such quarterly period and for the fiscal year to date;

                               (ii)  within 65 days after the end of the fourth
                     fiscal quarter, a company-prepared consolidated balance
                     sheet of the Company and its subsidiaries as of the end of
                     the quarter and related company-prepared consolidated
                     statements of income, retained earnings, shareholders'
                     equity and cash flows for such quarterly period and for the
                     fiscal year to date;

                               (iii) within 45 days after the beginning of each
                     fiscal year, an annual business plan and budget for the
                     members of the Consolidated Group, 


                                      55
<PAGE>
 
                     containing, among other things, pro forma financial
                     statements for the next fiscal year,

           in each case setting forth in comparative form the consolidated
           figures for the corresponding period or periods of the preceding
           fiscal year or the portion of the fiscal year ending with such
           period, as applicable, in each case subject to normal recurring
           year-end audit adjustments.

All such financial statements to present fairly the financial condition and
results of operations for the Company and its subsidiaries in accordance with
GAAP (subject, in the case of interim statements, to normal recurring year-end
audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes) and to be prepared in reasonable
detail and ,in the case of the annual and quarterly financial statements
provided in accordance with subsections (a) and (b) above, in accordance with
GAAP applied consistently throughout the periods reflected therein) and further
accompanied by a description of, and an estimation of the effect on the
financial statements on account of, a change in the application of accounting
principles as provided in Section 1.3.

           7.2       Certificates; Other Information.
                     -------------------------------

           Furnish, or cause to be furnished, to the Administrative Agent for
distribution to the Lenders:

                     (a) Accountant's Certificate and Reports. Concurrently with
                         ------------------------------------
           the delivery of the financial statements referred to in subsection
           7.1(a) above, a certificate of the independent certified public
           accountants reporting on such financial statements stating that in
           making the examination necessary therefor no knowledge was obtained
           of any Default or Event of Default, except as specified in such
           certificate.

                     (b) Officer's Certificate. Concurrently with the delivery
                         ---------------------
           of the financial statements referred to in Sections 7.1(a) and 7.1(b)
           above, a certificate of a Responsible Officer stating that, to the
           best of such Responsible Officer's knowledge and belief, (i) the
           financial statements fairly present in all material respects the
           financial condition of the parties covered by such financial
           statements in accordance with GAAP, (ii) during such period the
           members of the Consolidated Group have observed or performed in all
           material respects the covenants and other agreements hereunder and
           under the other Credit Documents relating to them, and satisfied in
           all material respects the conditions, contained in this Credit
           Agreement to be observed, performed or satisfied by them, (iii) such
           Responsible Officer has obtained no knowledge of any Default or Event
           of Default except as specified in such certificate and (iv) such
           certificate shall include the calculations required to indicate
           compliance with Section 7.9. A form of Officer's Certificate is
           attached as Schedule 7.2(b).
                       ---------------

                     (c) Borrowing Base Certificates. As soon as available, and
                         ---------------------------
           in any event within 30 days after the end of each monthly accounting
           period, a statement of the Borrowing Base and its components as of
           the end of the immediately preceding monthly accounting period.

                                      56
<PAGE>
 
                     (d) Accountants' Reports. Promptly upon request, a copy of
                         --------------------
           any final (as distinguished from a preliminary or discussion draft)
           "management letter" or other similar report submitted by independent
           accountants or financial consultants to the members of the
           Consolidated Group in connection with any annual, interim or special
           audit.

                     (e) Public Information. Within thirty days after the same
                         ------------------
           are sent, copies of all reports (other than those otherwise provided
           pursuant to subsection 7.1) and other financial information which any
           member of the Consolidated Group sends to its public stockholders,
           and within thirty days after the same are filed, copies of all
           financial statements and non-confidential reports which any member of
           the Consolidated Group may make to, or file with, the Securities and
           Exchange Commission or any successor or analogous Governmental
           Authority.

                     (f) Other Information. Promptly, such additional financial
                         -----------------
           and other information as the Administrative Agent, at the request of
           any Lender, may from time to time reasonably request.

           7.3       Notices.
                     -------
 
           Give notice to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly
transmit such notice to each Lender) of:

                     (a) Defaults. As soon as practicable (and in any event
                         --------
           within five (5) Business Days) after any Credit Party knows or has
           reason to know thereof, the occurrence of any Default or Event of
           Default.

                     (b) Contractual Obligations. As soon as practicable, the
                         -----------------------
           initiation of any default or event of default under any Contractual
           Obligation of any member of the Consolidated Group which would
           reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                     (c) Legal Proceedings. As soon as practicable, any
                         -----------------
           litigation, or any investigation or proceeding (including without
           limitation, any environmental proceeding) known to any member of the
           Consolidated Group, or any material development in respect thereof,
           affecting any member of the Consolidated Group which is reasonably
           likely to be adversely determined and which would reasonably be
           expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                     (d) ERISA. As soon as practicable, after any Responsible
                         -----
           Officer of the Company knows or has reason to know of (i) any event
           or condition that constitutes an ERISA Event; (ii) with respect to
           any Multiemployer Plan, the receipt of notice as prescribed in ERISA
           or otherwise of any withdrawal liability assessed against any of
           their ERISA Affiliates, or of a determination that any Multiemployer
           Plan is in reorganization or insolvent (both within the meaning of
           Title IV of ERISA) that reasonably could be expected to have a
           Material Adverse Effect; (iii) the failure to make full payment on or
           before the due date (including extensions) thereof of all amounts
           
                                      57
<PAGE>
 
           which the members of the Consolidated Group or any ERISA Affiliate
           are required to contribute to each Plan pursuant to its terms and as
           required to meet the minimum funding standard set forth in ERISA and
           the Code that reasonably could be expected to have a Material Adverse
           Effect; or (iv) any change in the funding status of any Plan (other
           than a Multiemployer Plan) that reasonably could be expected to have
           a Material Adverse Effect; together with a description of any such
           event or condition or a copy of any such notice and a statement by
           the chief financial officer of the Company briefly setting forth the
           details regarding such event, condition, or notice, and the action,
           if any, which has been or is being taken or is proposed to be taken
           by the Credit Parties with respect thereto. Promptly upon request,
           the members of the Consolidated Group shall furnish the
           Administrative Agent and the Lenders with such additional information
           concerning any Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) as may be
           reasonably requested, including, but not limited to, copies of each
           annual report/return (Form 5500 series), as well as all schedules and
           attachments thereto required to be filed with the Department of Labor
           and/or the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to ERISA and the Code,
           respectively, for each "plan year" (within the meaning of Section
           3(39) of ERISA).

                     (e) Other. As soon as practicable, any other development or
                         -----
           event which a Responsible Officer determines could reasonably be
           expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Each notice pursuant to this subsection shall be accompanied by a statement of a
Responsible Officer setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein
and stating what action (if then known) the relevant Credit Parties propose to
take with respect thereto.

           7.4       Payment of Obligations.
                     ----------------------

           Pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy at or before maturity or before
they become delinquent, as the case may be, in accordance with prudent business
practice (subject, where applicable, to specified grace periods) all material
obligations (including without limitation all tax obligations and all
obligations under ERISA) of each member of the Consolidated Group of whatever
nature and any additional costs that are imposed as a result of any failure to
so pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy such obligations, except when the amount
or validity of such obligations and costs is currently being contested in good
faith by appropriate proceedings and reserves, if applicable, in conformity with
GAAP with respect thereto have been provided on the books of the Consolidated
Group, as the case may be.

           7.5       Conduct of Business and Maintenance of Existence.
                     ------------------------------------------------

           Continue to engage in business of the same general type as now
conducted by it on the date hereof and similar or related businesses with
respect to the distribution of pharmaceutical products and supplies, and
preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and
take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges, licenses and
franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business; comply
with all Contractual Obligations and Requirements of Law applicable to it except
to the extent that failure to comply therewith would not, in the aggregate, have
a Material Adverse Effect. The Company shall not 

                                      58
<PAGE>
 
engage in any activities other than holding the capital stock of the Borrower
and activities incidental thereto (including, but not limited to, capital
raising) or as otherwise required by law.

           7.6  Maintenance of Property; Insurance.
                ----------------------------------

           Keep all material property useful and necessary in its business in
reasonably good working order and condition (ordinary wear and tear excepted);
maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies casualty,
liability and such other insurance (which may include plans of self-insurance)
with such coverage and deductibles, and in such amounts as may be consistent
with prudent business practice and in any event consistent with normal industry
practice (except to any greater extent as may be required by the terms of any of
the other Credit Documents); and furnish to the Administrative Agent, upon
written request, full information as to the insurance carried.

           7.7  Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions.
                ------------------------------------------------------ 

           (a)  Keep proper books of records and account in which full, true and
correct entries in conformity with GAAP and all Requirements of Law shall be
made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its businesses and
activities; and permit, during regular business hours and upon reasonable notice
by the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent to visit and inspect any
of its properties and examine and make abstracts (including photocopies) from
any of its books and records (other than materials protected by the
attorney-client privilege and materials which the Credit Parties may not
disclose without violation of a confidentiality obligation binding upon them) at
any reasonable time, and to discuss the business, operations, properties and
financial and other condition of the members of the Consolidated Group with
officers and employees of the members of the Consolidated Group and with their
independent certified public accountants. The cost of the inspection referred to
in the preceding sentence shall be for the account of the Lenders unless an
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, in which case the reasonable
cost of such inspection shall be for the account of the Credit Parties.

           (b) In addition to the foregoing subsection (a), permit the
Administrative Agent to have agents or representatives to conduct a "field
audit" of its inventory, including inspection of the inventory and a right to
examine and make abstracts (including photocopies) from its books and records
relating to its inventory once in each fiscal year, and more frequently after
the occurrence of an Event of Default. The cost of such "field audits" will be
for the account of, and will be promptly paid by, the Borrower as, and to the
extent provided in Section 11.5, and, to the extent not borne by the Borrower,
for the account of the Lenders.

           7.8  Environmental Laws.
                ------------------

                (a) Comply in all material respects with, and take reasonable
           actions to ensure compliance in all material respects by all tenants
           and subtenants, if any, with, all applicable Environmental Laws and
           obtain and comply in all material respects with and maintain, and
           take reasonable actions to ensure that all tenants and subtenants
           obtain and comply in all material respects with and maintain, any and
           all licenses, approvals, notifications, registrations or permits
           required by applicable Environmental Laws except 

                                      59
<PAGE>
 
           to the extent that failure to do so would not reasonably be expected
           to have a Material Adverse Effect;

                (b) Conduct and complete all investigations, studies, sampling
           and testing, and all remedial, removal and other actions required
           under Environmental Laws and promptly comply in all material respects
           with all lawful orders and directives of all Governmental Authorities
           regarding Environmental Laws except to the extent that the same are
           being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and the
           failure to do or the pendency of such proceedings would not
           reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and

                (c) Defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent
           and the Lenders, and their respective employees, agents, officers and
           directors, from and against any and all claims, demands, penalties,
           fines, liabilities, settlements, damages, reasonable out-of-pocket
           costs and expenses of whatever kind or nature known or unknown,
           contingent or otherwise, arising out of, or in any way relating to
           the violation of, noncompliance with or liability under, any
           Environmental Law applicable to the operations of the members of the
           Consolidated Group or the Properties, or any orders, requirements or
           demands of Governmental Authorities related thereto, including,
           without limitation, reasonable attorney's and consultant's fees,
           investigation and laboratory fees, response costs, court costs and
           litigation expenses, except to the extent that any of the foregoing
           arise out of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the party
           seeking indemnification therefor. The agreements in this paragraph
           shall survive repayment of the Loans and all other amounts payable
           hereunder, and termination of the Commitments.

           7.9  Financial Covenants.
                -------------------

           (a) Consolidated Net Worth. There shall be maintained, as of the end
               ----------------------
of each fiscal quarter, Consolidated Net Worth equal to not less than the sum of
(i) <$60,000,000> plus (ii) on the last day of each fiscal quarter, beginning
                  ----
with the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 1996, an amount equal to fifty
percent (50%) of Consolidated Net Income for the fiscal quarter then ended (but
not less than zero) plus (iii) an amount equal to 100% of the Net Proceeds
                    ----
received in connection with any Equity Transaction occurring after the Closing
Date until such time as Consolidated Net Worth shall be at least -$0-, and
thereafter 75% of the Net Proceeds received in connection with any Equity
Transaction.

           (b) Consolidated Leverage Ratio. There shall be maintained, as of the
               ---------------------------
end of each fiscal quarter to occur during the periods shown, a Consolidated
Leverage Ratio of not greater than:

                                      60
<PAGE>
 
                     (i) prior to the Security Release Date relating to
                     inventory, as follows:

                         Closing Date until the earlier of (i) the date
                          of the first Equity Transaction to occur after
                          the Closing Date or (ii) June 30, 1997
                          (the "Adjustment Date")                       5.25:1.0
                                ---------------                               
                                                                              
                         Adjustment Date through September 30, 1997     4.75:1.0
                                                                              
                         October 1, 1997 through September 30, 1998     4.50:1.0
                                                                              
                         October 1, 1998 through September 30, 1999     4.25:1.0
                                                                              
                         October 1, 1999 through September 30, 2000     4.00:1.0
                                                                              
                         October 1, 2000 and thereafter                 3.75:1.0

                    (ii) from the Security Release Date relating to inventory
                    and thereafter, 3.50:1.0.

           (c)  Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. There shall be
                ----------------------------------------
maintained, as of the end of each fiscal quarter to occur during the periods
shown, a Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of at least:

                     Closing Date through September 30, 1997            1.75:1.0
                     October 1, 1997 through September 30, 1999         2.00:1.0
                     October 1, 1999 and thereafter                     2.25:1.0

           (d)  Capital Expenditures. Prior to the Security Release Date 
                --------------------
relating to inventory, the aggregate amount of Capital Expenditures for the
Company and its consolidated subsidiaries will not exceed in any fiscal year an
amount equal to $25,000,000 plus, for fiscal years occurring after the current
                            ----
fiscal year, the unused portions from prior fiscal years beginning with the
first fiscal year to occur after the Closing Date.

           7.10 Agency Fees.
                -----------

           Pay to the Administrative Agent the annual agency fee and comply with
the other agreements provided for in the Administrative Agent's Fee Letter.

           7.11 Additional Guaranties and Stock Pledges.
                ---------------------------------------

                (a) Domestic Subsidiaries. At any time any Person becomes a
                    ---------------------
           Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary (other than ARC or any other
           Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower through which a Permitted
           Receivables Financing is conducted), the Company will as soon as
           practicable (and in any event within five (5) days) notify the
           Administrative Agent thereof and cause such Domestic Subsidiary
           (other than ARC) to become a Guarantor hereunder by (i) execution of
           a Joinder Agreement, (ii) delivery of 

                                      61
<PAGE>
 
           supporting resolutions, incumbency certificates, corporate
           organizational documentation and opinions of counsel as the
           Administrative Agent may reasonably request, and (iii) delivery of
           stock certificates and a related pledge agreement or pledge joinder
           agreement evidencing the pledge of 100% of the Voting Stock of such
           Domestic Subsidiary owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company and
           of 100% of the Voting Stock of each of its Domestic Subsidiaries
           owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company and 65% of the Voting
           Stock of each of its Foreign Subsidiaries, together in each case with
           undated stock transfer powers executed in blank. The Company or the
           Borrower may cause other Domestic Subsidiaries which are not Wholly-
           Owned Subsidiaries to become Guarantors hereunder by execution of a
           Joinder Agreement and satisfaction of the other conditions for a
           Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary.

                (b) Foreign Subsidiaries. At any time any Person becomes a
                    --------------------
           Foreign Subsidiary, the Company will promptly notify the
           Administrative Agent thereof and cause delivery of supporting
           resolutions, incumbency certificates, corporate organizational
           documentation and opinions of counsel as the Administrative Agent may
           reasonably request.

           7.12 Ownership of Subsidiaries.
                -------------------------

           Except to the extent otherwise permitted in Section 8.4(b), 8.4(d)
and Section 8.7 and to the extent as would not cause a Change of Control, the
Company shall, directly or indirectly, own at all times 100% of the Voting Stock
of each of its Subsidiaries.

           7.13 Use of Proceeds.
                ---------------

           Extensions of Credit will be used solely for the purposes provided in
Section 6.15.

           7.14 Interest Rate Protection Agreements.
                -----------------------------------
           The Borrower shall, within 90 days of the Closing Date, have entered
into interest rate protection agreements protecting against fluctuations in
interest rates and as to which the material terms are reasonably satisfactory to
the Administrative Agent, which agreements shall provide for coverage in a
principal amount of at least $112,500,000 for a duration of at least two (2)
years.

                                   SECTION 8

                              NEGATIVE COVENANTS

           Each of the Credit Parties covenants and agrees that on the Closing
Date, and so long as this Credit Agreement is in effect and until the
Commitments have been terminated, no Obligations remain outstanding and all
amounts owing hereunder or in connection herewith, have been paid in full, no
member of the Consolidated Group shall:

                                      62
<PAGE>
 
           8.1  Indebtedness.
                ------------

           Contract, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness,
except:

                (a)  Indebtedness arising or existing under this Credit
           Agreement and the other Credit Documents;

                (b) Indebtedness set forth in Schedule 8.1, and renewals,
                                              ------------
           refinancings and extensions thereof on terms and conditions no less
           favorable than for such existing Indebtedness;

                (c) Capital Lease Obligations and Indebtedness incurred, in each
           case, to provide all or a portion of the purchase price or costs of
           construction of an asset or, in the case of a sale/leaseback
           transaction as described in Section 8.11, to finance the value of
           such asset owned by a member of the Consolidated Group, provided that
                                                                   --------
           (i) such Indebtedness when incurred shall not exceed the purchase
           price or cost of construction of such asset or, in the case of a
           sale/leaseback transaction, the fair market value of such asset, (ii)
           no such Indebtedness shall be refinanced for a principal amount in
           excess of the principal balance outstanding thereon at the time of
           such refinancing, and (iii) the total amount of all such Indebtedness
           shall not exceed $7,500,000 at any time outstanding;

                (d) Indebtedness and obligations in connection with Permitted
           Receivables Financings (including the Excluded Securitization
           Transaction); provided that (i) the total Attributed Principal Amount
                         --------
           for all such financings shall not exceed an amount equal to 85% of
           the book value of accounts receivable then outstanding, and (ii) the
           Net Proceeds therefrom shall be applied as provided in Section
           3.3(b);

                (e) Indebtedness and obligations owing under interest rate
           protection agreements relating to the Obligations hereunder and under
           interest rate, commodities and foreign currency exchange protection
           agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business to manage
           existing or anticipated risks and not for speculative purposes;

                (f) unsecured intercompany Indebtedness owing by a member of the
           Consolidated Group to another member of the Consolidated Group
           (subject, however, to the limitations of Section 8.5 in the case of
           the member of the Consolidated Group extending the intercompany loan,
           advance or credit);

                (g) Subordinated Debt of the Company or the Borrower to the
           extent that upon the incurrence thereof no Default or Event of
           Default shall exist immediately prior or after giving effect thereto
           on a Pro Forma Basis;

                (h) other unsecured Indebtedness of the Borrower of up to
           $5,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding; and

                (i) Guaranty Obligations of Indebtedness permitted under this
           Section 8.1.

                                      63
<PAGE>
 
           8.2  Liens.
                -----

           Contract, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien with
respect to any of their respective property or assets of any kind (whether real
or personal, tangible or intangible), whether now owned or hereafter acquired,
except for Permitted Liens.

           8.3  Nature of Business.
                ------------------

           Alter the character of their business in any material respect from
that conducted as of the Closing Date and similar or related businesses with
respect to the distribution of pharmaceutical products and supplies.

           8.4  Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Purchase of Assets, Capital 
                ----------------------------------------------------------
Expenditures, etc.
-----------------

           (a)  Dissolve, liquidate or wind up their affairs, except (i) in
connection with a disposition of assets permitted by the terms of subsection (c)
hereof and (ii) for the dissolution and liquidation of a wholly-owned Subsidiary
of a Credit Party where the parent company Credit Party receives the assets of
such Subsidiary;

           (b)  Enter into any transaction of merger or consolidation; provided,
                                                                       --------
however, that, so long as no Default or Event of Default would be directly or
-------
indirectly caused as a result thereof,

                (i)    a member of the Consolidated Group (other than the
           Company) may merge or consolidate with another member of the
           Consolidated Group, provided that (A) if the Borrower is a party
                               --------
           thereto, it shall be the surviving corporation, (B) if a Credit Party
           shall be a party thereto, it shall be the surviving corporation, and
           (C) the surviving corporation shall be a Domestic Credit Party or
           shall become a Domestic Credit Party pursuant to the terms of Section
           7.11 concurrently with consummation of the merger or consolidation;

                (ii)   a member of the Consolidated Group (other than the
           Company or the Borrower) may merge or consolidate with any Person
           that is not a Subsidiary, provided that the applicable conditions set
                                     --------
           forth in the foregoing subsection (i) of this Section 8.4(b), in
           Section 7.11 regarding joinder of certain Subsidiaries as Credit
           Parties, and in Section 8.4(d) regarding acquisitions, are complied
           with in connection with any such acquisition by merger.

           (c)  Sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any Property
(including without limitation pursuant to any sale/leaseback transaction) other
than (i) the sale of inventory in the ordinary course of business for fair
consideration, (ii) the sale or disposition of machinery and equipment no longer
used or useful in the conduct of such Person's business, (iii) a Permitted
Receivables Financing as provided for in Section 8.1(d), (iv) the sale, lease,
transfer or other disposition by a Credit Party to a Wholly-Owned Domestic
Credit Party, (v) other sales, leases, transfers and dispositions to
non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries or other Persons by way of investment to the
extent permitted by Section 8.5 and (vi) other sales of assets, provided that
                                                                --------
(A) after giving effect to such sale or other disposition, the aggregate book
value of assets sold or otherwise disposed of pursuant to this clause (vi) in
any given fiscal year does not exceed an 

                                      64
<PAGE>
 
amount equal to the greater of $15,000,000 or five percent (5%) of Consolidated
Net Worth, (B) after giving effect on a Pro Forma Basis to such sale or other
disposition, no Default or Event of Default would exist hereunder and (C) the
Net Proceeds of any such sale are applied in accordance with Section 3.3(b)(ii).

           (d)  Except as otherwise permitted by Section 8.4(b)(i), and except
for Investments in entities in which less than 50% is (or, as a result of the
transaction, will be) owned by a Credit Party where such Investments are
permitted by subclause (xx) of the definition of "Permitted Investments", (i)
acquire all or any portion of the capital stock or securities of any other
Person or (ii) purchase, lease or otherwise acquire (in a single transaction or
a series of related transactions) all or any substantial part of the Property of
any other Person, unless
                  ------

                (A) the aggregate cost of all such acquisitions referred to in
           subsection (d)(i) or (d)(ii) shall not exceed an amount equal to the
           sum of $150,000,000 plus an amount equal to 75% of cumulative
                               ----
           Consolidated Excess Cash Flow from the Closing Date plus the amount
                                                               ----
           of Net Proceeds from Equity Transactions received after the Closing
           Date; provided, however, that any acquisition in excess of
                 --------  -------
           $75,000,000 (other than the Prospective Acquisition) shall require
           the consent of the Required Lenders hereunder.

                (B) if such acquisition is of the capital stock or securities of
           a Person, such Person shall (after giving effect to such acquisition
           of capital stock or securities) be a Subsidiary of the purchaser and,
           if the Subsidiary is less than 100% owned by the Company, the sum of
           (i) the aggregate cost of all such acquisitions in non-wholly owned
           Subsidiaries and (ii) the aggregate amount of loans to or investments
           in non-wholly owned Subsidiaries shall not exceed $10,000,000 in any
           calendar year (plus the unused portion for the immediately preceding
                          ----
           calendar year without carry-over credit for any prior calendar
           years);

                (C) the Board of Directors of the company which is the subject
           of the acquisition shall have approved the acquisition;

                (D) no Default or Event of Default would exist after giving
           effect to any such acquisition on a Pro Forma Basis; and

                (E) the Administrative Agent shall have received an officer's
           certificate as to solvency from each of the Borrower and the Company,
           both dated as of the date of such acquisition, and substantially in
           the form of Schedule 5.1(i)(vi)(A) or Schedule 5.1(i)(vi)(B), as
                       ----------------------    ----------------------
           appropriate.

           (e)  Take or permit any action, or fail to take any action, the
effect of which would be to cause a Domestic Credit Party to lose its status as
such, other than as expressly permitted in this Section.

                                      65
<PAGE>
 
           8.5  Advances, Investments and Loans.
                -------------------------------

           Lend money or extend credit or make advances to any Person, or
purchase or acquire any stock, obligations or securities of, or any other
interest in, or make any capital contribution to, or otherwise make an
Investment in, any Person except for Permitted Investments.

           8.6  Transactions with Affiliates.
                ----------------------------

           Enter into or permit to exist any transaction or series of
transactions, whether or not in the ordinary course of business, with any
officer, director, shareholder or Affiliate (other than between Domestic Credit
Parties) other than (i) transactions permitted by Section 8.1, Section 8.4(b),
Section 8.5 or Section 8.10, (ii) customary fees and expenses paid to officers
and directors and (iii) where such transactions are on terms and conditions
substantially as favorable as would be obtainable in a comparable arm's-length
transaction with a Person other than an officer, director, shareholder or
Affiliate.

           8.7  Ownership of Equity Interests.
                -----------------------------

           Issue, sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of any partnership
interests, shares of capital stock or other equity or ownership interests
("Equity Interests") in any member of the Consolidated Group (other than the
  ----------------
Company), except (i) issuance, sale or transfer of Equity Interests to a Credit
Party by a Subsidiary of such Credit Party, (ii) in connection with a
transaction permitted by Section 8.4, and (iii) as needed to qualify directors
under applicable law.

           8.8  Fiscal Year.
                -----------

           Change its fiscal year from a September 30 fiscal year end.

           8.9  Prepayments of Indebtedness, etc.
                --------------------------------

           (a) After the issuance thereof, amend or modify (or permit the
amendment or modification of), the terms of any other Funded Debt with an
aggregate outstanding principal amount in excess of $2,000,000 in a manner
materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders (including specifically
shortening any maturity or average life to maturity or requiring any payment
sooner than previously scheduled or increasing the interest rate or fees
applicable thereto);

           (b) Make any prepayment, redemption, defeasance or acquisition for
value of (including without limitation, by way of depositing money or securities
with the trustee with respect thereto before due for the purpose of paying when
due), or refund, refinance or exchange of any Funded Debt in an aggregate amount
in excess of $2,000,000 (other than intercompany Indebtedness permitted
hereunder) other than regularly scheduled payments of principal and interest on
such Funded Debt, except to the extent permitted by Section 8.10.

                                      66
<PAGE>
 
           8.10 Restricted Payments.
                -------------------

           Make or permit any Restricted Payments unless and to the extent that
(i) no Default or Event of Default shall exist immediately prior or after giving
effect thereto on a Pro Forma Basis and (ii) such Restricted Payments in any
fiscal year shall not exceed an amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of
Consolidated Net Income for the immediately preceding fiscal year.

           8.11 Sale Leasebacks.
                ---------------

           Except as permitted pursuant to Section 8.1(c) hereof, directly or
indirectly, become or remain liable as lessee or as guarantor or other surety
with respect to any lease, whether an Operating Lease or a Capital Lease, of any
Property (whether real or personal or mixed), whether now owned or hereafter
acquired, (i) which such Person has sold or transferred or is to sell or
transfer to any other Person other than a Credit Party or (ii) which such Person
intends to use for substantially the same purpose as any other Property which
has been sold or is to be sold or transferred by such Person to any other Person
in connection with such lease.

           8.12 No Further Negative Pledges.
                ---------------------------

           Except with respect to (i) prohibitions against other encumbrances on
specific Property encumbered to secure payment of particular Indebtedness (which
Indebtedness relates solely to such specific Property, and improvements and
accretions thereto, and is otherwise permitted hereby), (ii) Permitted
Receivables Financings, and (iii) property to be sold in transactions permitted
under Section 8.4(c), no member of the Consolidated Group will enter into,
assume or become subject to any agreement prohibiting or otherwise restricting
the creation or assumption of any Lien upon its properties or assets, whether
now owned or hereafter acquired, or requiring the grant of any security for such
obligation if security is given for some other obligation.

                                   SECTION 9
                               EVENTS OF DEFAULT
                               -----------------

           9.1  Events of Default.
                -----------------

           An Event of Default shall exist upon the occurrence of any of the
following specified events (each an "Event of Default"):
                                     ----------------

           (a)  Payment.  Any Credit Party shall
                -------

                (i)    default in the payment when due of any principal of any
           of the Loans or of any reimbursement obligations arising from
           drawings under Letters of Credit, or

                (ii)   default, and such defaults shall continue for five (5)
           or more Business Days, in the payment when due of any interest on the
           Loans or on any reimbursement obligations arising from drawings under
           Letters of Credit, or of any Fees or other reasonable fees and
           amounts owing hereunder, under any of the other Credit Documents or
           in connection herewith or therewith; or
<PAGE>
 
           (b)  Representations. Any representation, warranty or statement made
                ---------------
or deemed to be made herein, in any of the other Credit Documents, or in any
statement or certificate delivered or required to be delivered pursuant hereto
or thereto shall prove untrue in any material respect on the date as of which it
was deemed to have been made; or

           (c)  Covenants.
                ---------

                (i)    Default in the due performance or observance of any term,
         covenant or agreement contained in Section 7.3(a), 7.9, 7.11, 7.13 or
         8.1 through 8.12 (except in the case of negative covenants contained in
         Sections 8.1 through 8.12, those Defaults which may occur or arise
         other than on account of or by affirmative or intentional act of the
         Borrower or event or condition which the Borrower shall with knowledge
         permit to exist, all of which shall be subject to the provisions of
         clause (ii) hereof), inclusive, or

                (ii)   Default in the due performance or observance by it of any
         term, covenant or agreement (other than those referred to in
         subsections (a), (b) or (c)(i) of this Section 9.1) contained in this
         Credit Agreement and such default shall continue unremedied for a
         period of at least 30 days after the earlier of a Responsible Officer
         of a Credit Party becoming aware of such default, or the giving of
         notice thereof by the Administrative Agent, or with respect to Section
         7.8, without a response or investigation being initiated within such
         time period; or

           (d)  Other Credit Documents. (i) Any Credit Party shall default in
                ----------------------
the due performance or observance of any material term, covenant or agreement in
any of the other Credit Documents (subject to applicable grace or cure periods,
if any), or (ii) except as to the Credit Party which is dissolved, released or
merged or consolidated out of existence as the result of or in connection with a
dissolution, merger or disposition permitted by Section 8.4(a), Section 8.4(b)
or Section 8.4(c), any Credit Document shall fail to be in full force and effect
or to give the Administrative Agent and/or the Lenders any material part of the
Liens, rights, powers and privileges purported to be created thereby; or

           (e)  Guaranties. Except as to the Credit Party which is dissolved,
                ----------
released or merged or consolidated out of existence as the result of or in
connection with a dissolution, merger or disposition permitted by Section
8.4(a), Section 8.4(b) or Section 8.4(c), the guaranty given by any Guarantor
hereunder or any material provision thereof shall cease to be in full force and
effect, or any Guarantor hereunder or any Person acting by or on behalf of such
Guarantor shall deny or disaffirm such Guarantor's obligations under such
guaranty, or any Guarantor shall default in the due performance or observance of
any term, covenant or agreement on its part to be performed or observed pursuant
to any guaranty; or

           (f)  Bankruptcy, etc. Any Bankruptcy Event shall occur with respect
                ---------------
to any member of the Consolidated Group; or
<PAGE>
 
           (g)  Defaults under Other Agreements.
                -------------------------------

                (i)    Any member of the Consolidated Group shall default in the
           performance or observance (beyond the applicable grace period with
           respect thereto, if any) of any material obligation or condition of
           any contract or lease material to the Consolidated Group, taken as a
           whole which is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect;
           or

                (ii)   With respect to any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness
         outstanding under this Credit Agreement) in excess of $10,000,000 in
         the aggregate for the Consolidated Group taken as a whole, (A) (1) any
         member of the Consolidated Group shall default in any payment (beyond
         the applicable grace period with respect thereto, if any) with respect
         to any such Indebtedness, or (2) the occurrence and continuance of a
         default in the observance or performance relating to such Indebtedness
         or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or
         relating thereto, or any other event or condition shall occur or
         condition exist, the effect of which is to cause any such Indebtedness
         to become due prior to its stated maturity; or (B) any such
         Indebtedness shall be declared due and payable, or required to be
         prepaid other than by a regularly scheduled required prepayment, prior
         to the stated maturity thereof; or

           (h)  Judgments. Any member of the Consolidated Group shall fail 
                ---------
within 30 days of the date due and payable to pay, bond or otherwise discharge
any judgment, settlement or order for the payment of money which judgment,
settlement or order, when aggregated with all other such judgments, settlements
or orders due and unpaid at such time, exceeds $5,000,000, and which is not
stayed on appeal (or for which no motion for stay is pending) or is not
otherwise being executed or is not covered by insurance (subject to applicable
deductibles); or

           (i)  ERISA. Any of the following events or conditions, if such event
                -----
or condition could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (1)
any "accumulated funding deficiency," as such term is defined in Section 302 of
ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, whether or not waived, shall exist with
respect to any Single Employer or Multiple Employer Plan, or any lien shall
arise on the assets of a member of the Consolidated Group or any ERISA Affiliate
in favor of the PBGC or a Plan; (2) an ERISA Event shall occur with respect to a
Single Employer Plan, which is, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative
Agent, likely to result in the termination of such Plan for purposes of Title IV
of ERISA; (3) an ERISA Event shall occur with respect to a Multiemployer Plan or
Multiple Employer Plan, which is, in the reasonable opinion of the
Administrative Agent, likely to result in (i) the termination of such Plan for
purposes of Title IV of ERISA, or (ii) a member of the Consolidated Group or any
ERISA Affiliate incurring any liability in connection with a withdrawal from,
reorganization of (within the meaning of Section 4241 of ERISA), or insolvency
of (within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA) such Plan; or (4) any
prohibited transaction (within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section
4975 of the Code) or breach of fiduciary responsibility shall occur which may
subject a member of the Consolidated Group or any ERISA Affiliate to any
liability under Sections 406, 409, 502(i), or 502(l) of ERISA or Section 4975 of
the Code, or under any agreement or other instrument pursuant to which a member
of the Consolidated Group or any ERISA Affiliate has agreed or is required to
indemnify any person against any such liability; or

           (j)  Ownership.  There shall occur a Change of Control.
                ---------

                                      69
<PAGE>
 
           9.2  Acceleration; Remedies.
                ----------------------

           Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, and at any time
thereafter during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Administrative
Agent shall, upon the request and direction of the Required Lenders, by written
notice to the Credit Parties take any of the following actions:

                (i)    Termination of Commitments. Declare the Commitments
                       --------------------------
         terminated whereupon the Commitments shall be immediately terminated.

                (ii)   Acceleration. Declare the unpaid principal of and any
                       ------------
         accrued interest in respect of all Loans, any reimbursement obligations
         arising from drawings under Letters of Credit and any and all other
         indebtedness or obligations of any and every kind owing by the Credit
         Parties to the Administrative Agent and/or any of the Lenders hereunder
         to be due whereupon the same shall be immediately due and payable
         without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all
         of which are hereby waived by each of the Credit Parties.

                (iii)  Cash Collateral. Direct the Borrower to pay (and the
                       ---------------
         Borrower agrees that upon receipt of such notice, or upon the
         occurrence of an Event of Default under Section 9.1(f), it will
         immediately pay) to the Administrative Agent additional cash, to be
         held by the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, in a
         cash collateral account as additional security for the LOC Obligations
         in respect of subsequent drawings under all then outstanding Letters of
         Credit in an amount equal to the maximum aggregate amount which may be
         drawn under all Letters of Credits then outstanding.

                (iv)   Enforcement of Rights. Enforce any and all rights and
                       ---------------------
         interests created and existing under the Credit Documents and all
         rights of set-off.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default specified in Section
9.1(f) shall occur, then the Commitments shall automatically terminate and all
Loans, all reimbursement obligations arising from drawings under Letters of
Credit, all accrued interest in respect thereof, all accrued and unpaid Fees and
other indebtedness or obligations owing to the Administrative Agent and/or any
of the Lenders hereunder automatically shall immediately become due and payable
without presentment, demand, protest or the giving of any notice or other action
by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, all of which are hereby waived by
the Credit Parties.

                                  SECTION 10
                               AGENCY PROVISIONS
                               -----------------

           10.1 Appointment.
                -----------

           Each Lender hereby designates and appoints NationsBank, N.A. as
administrative agent (in such capacity, the "Administrative Agent") of such
                                             --------------------
Lender to act as specified herein and the other 

                                      70
<PAGE>
 
Credit Documents, and each such Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative
Agent as the Administrative Agent for such Lender, to take such action on its
behalf under the provisions of this Credit Agreement and the other Credit
Documents and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly
delegated by the terms hereof and of the other Credit Documents, together with
such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Each Lenders further
directs and authorizes the Administrative Agent to execute releases (or similar
agreements) to give effect to the provisions of this Credit Agreement and the
other Credit Documents, including specifically without limitation the provisions
of Sections 3.16 and 8.4 hereof. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary
elsewhere herein and in the other Credit Documents, the Administrative Agent
shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth
herein and therein, or any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no
implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or
liabilities shall be read into this Credit Agreement or any of the other Credit
Documents, or shall otherwise exist against the Administrative Agent. The
provisions of this Section are solely for the benefit of the Administrative
Agent and the Lenders and none of the Credit Parties shall have any rights as a
third party beneficiary of the provisions hereof. In performing its functions
and duties under this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents, the
Administrative Agent shall act solely as Administrative Agent of the Lenders and
does not assume and shall not be deemed to have assumed any obligation or
relationship of agency or trust with or for any Credit Party or any of their
respective Affiliates.

           10.2 Delegation of Duties.
                --------------------

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

           10.3 Exculpatory Provisions.
                ----------------------

           The Administrative Agent and its officers, directors, employees,
agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates shall not be (i) liable for any action
lawfully taken or omitted to be taken by it or such Person under or in
connection herewith or in connection with any of the other Credit Documents
(except for its or such Person's own gross negligence or willful misconduct), or
(ii) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any recitals,
statements, representations or warranties made by any of the Credit Parties
contained herein or in any of the other Credit Documents or in any certificate,
report, document, financial statement or other written or oral statement
referred to or provided for in, or received by the Administrative Agent under or
in connection herewith or in connection with the other Credit Documents, or
enforceability or sufficiency therefor of any of the other Credit Documents, or
for any failure of any Credit Party to perform its obligations hereunder or
thereunder. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible to any Lender for
the effectiveness, genuineness, validity, enforceability, collectability or
sufficiency of this Credit Agreement, or any of the other Credit Documents or
for any representations, warranties, recitals or statements made herein or
therein or made by the Borrower or any Credit Party in any written or oral
statement or in any financial or other statements, instruments, reports,
certificates or any other documents in connection herewith or therewith
furnished or made by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders or by or on behalf
of the Credit Parties to the Administrative Agent or 

                                      71
<PAGE>
 
any Lender or be required to ascertain or inquire as to the performance or
observance of any of the terms, conditions, provisions, covenants or agreements
contained herein or therein or as to the use of the proceeds of the Loans or the
use of the Letters of Credit or of the existence or possible existence of any
Default or Event of Default or to inspect the properties, books or records of
the Credit Parties or any of their respective Affiliates.

           10.4 Reliance on Communications.
                --------------------------

           The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be
fully protected in relying, upon any note, writing, resolution, notice, consent,
certificate, affidavit, letter, cablegram, telegram, telecopy, telex or teletype
message, statement, order or other document or conversation believed by it to be
genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person
or Persons and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including, without
limitation, counsel to any of the Credit Parties, independent accountants and
other experts selected by the Administrative Agent with reasonable care). The
Administrative Agent may deem and treat the Lenders as the owner of their
respective interests hereunder for all purposes unless a written notice of
assignment, negotiation or transfer thereof shall have been filed with the
Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 11.3(b) hereof. The
Administrative Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any
action under this Credit Agreement or under any of the other Credit Documents
unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Required Lenders
as it deems appropriate or it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by
the Lenders against any and all liability and expense which may be incurred by
it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. The Administrative
Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from
acting, hereunder or under any of the other Credit Documents in accordance with
a request of the Required Lenders (or to the extent specifically provided in
Section 11.6, all the Lenders) and such request and any action taken or failure
to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all the Lenders (including their
successors and assigns).

           10.5 Notice of Default.
                -----------------

           The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or
notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default hereunder unless the
Administrative Agent has received notice from a Lender or a Credit Party
referring to the Credit Document, describing such Default or Event of Default
and stating that such notice is a "notice of default." In the event that the
Administrative Agent receives such a notice, the Administrative Agent shall give
prompt notice thereof to the Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall take such
action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be reasonably
directed by the Required Lenders.

           10.6 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.
                ------------------------------------------------------

           Each Lender expressly acknowledges that each of the Administrative
Agent and its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or
affiliates has not made any representations or warranties to it and that no act
by the Administrative Agent or any affiliate thereof hereinafter taken,
including any review of the affairs of any Credit Party or any of their
respective Affiliates, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or
warranty by the Administrative Agent to any Lender. Each Lender represents to
the Administrative Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon
the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and 

                                      72
<PAGE>
 
based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its
own appraisal of and investigation into the business, assets, operations,
property, financial and other conditions, prospects and creditworthiness of the
Borrower, the other Credit Parties or their respective Affiliates and made its
own decision to make its Loans hereunder and enter into this Credit Agreement.
Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and without reliance
upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents
and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its
own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action
under this Credit Agreement, and to make such investigation as it deems
necessary to inform itself as to the business, assets, operations, property,
financial and other conditions, prospects and creditworthiness of the Borrower,
the other Credit Parties and their respective Affiliates. Except for notices,
reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by
the Administrative Agent hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall not have any
duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other
information concerning the business, operations, assets, property, financial or
other conditions, prospects or creditworthiness of the Borrower, the other
Credit Parties or any of their respective Affiliates which may come into the
possession of the Administrative Agent or any of its officers, directors,
employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates.

           10.7 Indemnification.
                ---------------

           The Lenders agree to indemnify the Agents in their capacity as such
(to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower and without limiting the
obligation of the Borrower to do so), ratably according to their respective
Commitments (or if the Commitments have expired or been terminated, in
accordance with the respective principal amounts of outstanding Loans and
Participation Interests of the Lenders), from and against any and all
liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits,
costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind whatsoever which may at any time
(including without limitation at any time following the final payment of all of
the obligations of the Borrower hereunder and under the other Credit Documents)
be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Agents in their capacity as
such in any way relating to or arising out of this Credit Agreement or the other
Credit Documents or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or
therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken
or omitted by the Agents under or in connection with any of the foregoing;
provided that no Lender shall be liable for the payment of any portion of such
--------
liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits,
costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from the gross negligence or willful
misconduct of the Agents. If any indemnity furnished to the Agents for any
purpose shall, in the opinion of such Agent, be insufficient or become impaired,
the Agent may call for additional indemnity and cease, or not commence, to do
the acts indemnified against until such additional indemnity is furnished. The
agreements in this Section shall survive the repayment of the Loans, LOC
Obligations and other obligations under the Credit Documents and the termination
of the Commitments hereunder.

           10.8 Administrative Agent in its Individual Capacity.
                -----------------------------------------------

           The Administrative Agent and its affiliates may make loans to, accept
deposits from and generally engage in any kind of business with the Company, the
Borrower, its Subsidiaries or their respective Affiliates as though the
Administrative Agent were not the Administrative Agent hereunder. With respect
to the Loans made by and all obligations of the Borrower hereunder and 

                                      73
<PAGE>
 
under the other Credit Documents, the Administrative Agent shall have the same
rights and powers under this Credit Agreement as any Lender and may exercise the
same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and the terms "Lender" and
"Lenders" shall include the Administrative Agent in its individual capacity.

           10.9 Successor Administrative Agent.
                ------------------------------

           The Administrative Agent may, at any time, resign upon 20 days'
written notice to the Lenders, and may be removed, upon show of cause, by the
Required Lenders upon 30 days' written notice to the Administrative Agent. Upon
any such resignation or removal, the Required Lenders shall have the right to
appoint a successor Administrative Agent. If no successor Administrative Agent
shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders, and shall have accepted
such appointment, within 30 days after the notice of resignation or notice of
removal, as appropriate, then the retiring Administrative Agent shall select a
successor Administrative Agent provided such successor is a Lender hereunder or
a commercial bank organized or licensed under the laws of the United States of
America or of any State thereof and has a combined capital and surplus of at
least $400,000,000. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Administrative
Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor Administrative Agent shall
thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges
and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative
Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations as Administrative
Agent, as appropriate, under this Credit Agreement and the other Credit
Documents and the provisions of this Section 10.9 shall inure to its benefit as
to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Administrative
Agent under this Credit Agreement.

           10.10 Intercreditor Agreement.
                 -----------------------

           The terms of the Excluded Receivables Transaction require the
execution of an Intercreditor Agreement substantially in the form of Schedule
                                                                     --------
10.10 (the "Intercreditor Agreement") as a condition to the grant of a security
-----       ------------- ---------
interest by the Borrower in inventory and accounts. By execution hereof, each
Lender hereby acknowledges, and agrees to be bound by, the terms of the
Intercreditor Agreement (including specifically, without limitation, the
provisions of Sections 6, 7 and 10(b) thereof), and further authorizes and
directs the Agent to enter into the Intercreditor Agreement on its behalf.


                                  SECTION 11
                                 MISCELLANEOUS
                                 -------------

           11.1 Notices.
                -------

           Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all notices and other
communications shall have been duly given and shall be effective (i) when
delivered, (ii) when transmitted via telecopy (or other facsimile device) to the
number set out below, (iii) the day following the day on which the same has been
delivered prepaid to a reputable national overnight air courier service, or (iv)
the third Business Day following the day on which the same is sent by certified
or registered mail, postage prepaid, in each case to the respective parties at
the address, in the case of the Borrower, Guarantors and the Administrative
Agent, set forth below, and, in the case of the Lenders, set forth 

                                      74
<PAGE>
 
on Schedule 2.1(a), or at such other address as such party may specify by
   ---------------
written notice to the other parties hereto:

                if to the Borrower or the Guarantors:

                               AMERISOURCE CORPORATION
                               300 Chester Field Parkway
                               Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355
                               Attn: John A  Aberant
                               Telephone: (610) 296-4480
                               Telecopy:  (610) 993-9085

                if to the Administrative Agent:

                               NationsBank, N A 
                               101 N Tryon Street
                               Independence Center, 15th Floor
                               NC1-001-15-04
                               Charlotte, North Carolina 28255
                               Attn: Agency Services
                               Telephone: (704) 386-9371
                               Telecopy:  (704) 386-9923

                with a copy to:

                               NationsBank, N.A. 
                               NationsBank Healthcare Finance Group
                               6610 Rockledge Drive, First Floor
                               Bethesda, Maryland 20817-1876
                               Attn: Michael B. Andry, Vice President
                               Telephone: (301) 571-0710
                               Telecopy:  (301) 571-0719

           11.2 Right of Set-Off.
                ----------------

           In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under applicable
law or otherwise, and not by way of limitation of any such rights, upon the
occurrence of an Event of Default, each Lender is authorized at any time and
from time to time, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any
kind (all of which rights being hereby expressly waived), to set-off and to
appropriate and apply any and all deposits (general or special) and any other
indebtedness at any time held or owing by such Lender (including, without
limitation branches, agencies or Affiliates of such Lender wherever located) to
or for the credit or the account of any Credit Party against obligations and
liabilities of such Person to such Lender hereunder, under the Notes, the other
Credit Documents or otherwise, irrespective of whether such Lender shall have
made any demand hereunder and although such obligations, liabilities or claims,
or any of them, may be contingent or unmatured, and any such set-off shall be
deemed to have been made immediately upon the occurrence of an Event of Default
even though such charge is made or entered on the books of 

                                      75
<PAGE>
 
such Lender subsequent thereto. Any Person purchasing a participation in the
Loans and Commitments hereunder pursuant to Section 3.13 or Section 11.3(d) may
exercise all rights of set-off with respect to its participation interest as
fully as if such Person were a Lender hereunder.

           11.3 Benefit of Agreement.
                --------------------

                (a) Generally. This Credit Agreement shall be binding upon
                    ---------
           and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the respective
           successors and assigns of the parties hereto; provided that none of
                                                          -------
           the Credit Parties may assign or transfer any of its interests or
           obligations without prior written consent of the Lenders; provided
                                                                     --------
           further that the rights of each Lender to transfer, assign or grant
           -------
           participations in its rights and/or obligations hereunder shall be
           limited as set forth in this Section 11.3, provided however that
                                                      --------
           nothing herein shall prevent or prohibit any Lender from (i) pledging
           its Loans hereunder to a Federal Reserve Bank in support of
           borrowings made by such Lender from such Federal Reserve Bank, or
           (ii) granting assignments or selling participations in such Lender's
           Loans and/or Commitments hereunder to its parent company and/or to
           any Affiliate or Subsidiary of such Lender.

                (b) Assignments. Each Lender may assign all or a portion of
                    -----------
           its rights and obligations hereunder, pursuant to an assignment
           agreement substantially in the form of Schedule 11.3(b), to (i) any
                                                  ----------------
           Lender or any Affiliate or Subsidiary of a Lender, or (ii) any other
           commercial bank, financial institution or "accredited investor" (as
           defined in Regulation D of the Securities and Exchange Commission)
           reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent; provided that (i)
                                                              --------
           any such assignment (other than any assignment to an existing Lender)
           shall be in a minimum aggregate amount of $5,000,000 (or, if less,
           the remaining amount of the Commitment being assigned by such Lender)
           of the Commitments and in integral multiples of $1,000,000 above such
           amount and (ii) each such assignment shall be of a constant, not
           varying, percentage of all such Lender's rights and obligations under
           this Credit Agreement. Any assignment hereunder shall be effective
           upon delivery to the Administrative Agent of written notice of the
           assignment together with a transfer fee of $3,500 payable to the
           Administrative Agent for its own account from and after the later of
           (i) the effective date specified in the applicable assignment
           agreement and (ii) the date of recording of such assignment in the
           Register pursuant to the terms of subsection (c) below. The assigning
           Lender will give prompt notice to the Administrative Agent and the
           Borrower of any such assignment. Upon the effectiveness of any such
           assignment (and after notice to, and (to the extent required pursuant
           to the terms hereof), with the consent of, the Borrower and the
           Administrative Agent as provided herein), the assignee shall become a
           "Lender" for all purposes of this Credit Agreement and the other
           Credit Documents and, to the extent of such assignment, the assigning
           Lender shall be relieved of its obligations hereunder to the extent
           of the Loans and Commitment components being assigned. Along such
           lines the Borrower agrees that upon any such assignment and surrender
           of the appropriate Note or Notes, it will promptly provide to the
           assigning Lender and to the assignee separate promissory notes in the
           amount of their respective interests substantially in the form of the
           original Note (but with notation thereon that it is given in
           substitution for and replacement of the original Note or any
           replacement notes thereof). By executing and delivering an assignment
           agreement in accordance with this Section 11.3(b), the assigning
           Lender thereunder and the assignee thereunder shall be 

                                      76
<PAGE>
 
           deemed to confirm to and agree with each other and the other parties
           hereto as follows: (i) such assigning Lender warrants that it is the
           legal and beneficial owner of the interest being assigned thereby
           free and clear of any adverse claim; (ii) except as set forth in
           clause (i) above, such assigning Lender makes no representation or
           warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to any
           statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection
           with this Credit Agreement, any of the other Credit Documents or any
           other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto or thereto, or
           the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness,
           sufficiency or value of this Credit Agreement, any of the other
           Credit Documents or any other instrument or document furnished
           pursuant hereto or thereto or the financial condition of any Credit
           Party or any of their respective Affiliates or the performance or
           observance by any Credit Party of any of its obligations under this
           Credit Agreement, any of the other Credit Documents or any other
           instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto or thereto; (iii)
           such assignee represents and warrants that it is legally authorized
           to enter into such assignment agreement; (iv) such assignee confirms
           that it has received a copy of this Credit Agreement, the other
           Credit Documents and such other documents and information as it has
           deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to
           enter into such assignment agreement; (v) such assignee will
           independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent,
           such assigning Lender or any other Lender, and based on such
           documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time,
           continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking
           action under this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents;
           (vi) such assignee appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent
           to take such action on its behalf and to exercise such powers under
           this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document as are delegated
           to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together
           with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto; and (vii) such
           assignee agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms
           all the obligations which by the terms of this Credit Agreement and
           the other Credit Documents are required to be performed by it as a
           Lender.

                     (c) Maintenance of Register. The Administrative Agent shall
                         -----------------------
           maintain at one of its offices in Charlotte, North Carolina a copy of
           each Lender assignment agreement delivered to it in accordance with
           the terms of subsection (b) above and a register for the recordation
           of the identity of the principal amount, type and Interest Period of
           each Loan outstanding hereunder, the names, addresses and the
           Commitments of the Lenders pursuant to the terms hereof from time to
           time (the "Register"). The Administrative Agent will make reasonable
                      --------
           efforts to maintain the accuracy of the Register and to promptly
           update the Register from time to time, as necessary. The entries in
           the Register shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error and
           the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may treat each
           Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms
           hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Credit
           Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by the
           Borrower and each Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to
           time upon reasonable prior notice.

                     (d) Participations. Each Lender may sell, transfer, grant
                         --------------
           or assign participations in all or any part of such Lender's
           interests and obligations hereunder; provided that (i) such selling
                                                --------
           Lender shall remain a "Lender" for all purposes under this Credit
           Agreement (such selling Lender's obligations under the Credit
           Documents remaining unchanged) and the participant shall not
           constitute a 

                                      77
<PAGE>
 
           Lender hereunder, (ii) no such participant shall have, or be granted,
           rights to approve any amendment or waiver relating to this Credit
           Agreement or the other Credit Documents except to the extent any such
           amendment or waiver would (A) reduce the principal of or rate of
           interest on or Fees in respect of any Loans or any Letter of Credit
           in which the participant is participating, (B) postpone the date
           fixed for any payment of principal (including extension of the
           Termination Date or the date of any mandatory prepayment), interest
           or Fees in which the participant is participating, or (C) except as
           expressly provided in the Credit Documents, release all or
           substantially all of the collateral pledged to secure the Obligations
           hereunder or release all or substantially all of the Guarantors from
           the guaranty obligations hereunder, and (iii) sub-participations by
           the participant (except to an affiliate, parent company or affiliate
           of a parent company of the participant) shall be prohibited. In the
           case of any such participation, the participant shall not have any
           rights under this Credit Agreement or the other Credit Documents (the
           participant's rights against the selling Lender in respect of such
           participation to be those set forth in the participation agreement
           with such Lender creating such participation) and all amounts payable
           by the Borrower hereunder shall be determined as if such Lender had
           not sold such participation, provided, however, that such participant
                                        --------
           shall be entitled to receive the benefit of additional amounts under
           Sections 3.6, 3.9, 3.10 and 3.11 on the same basis as if it were a
           Lender.

           11.4 No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative.
                ------------------------------

           No failure or delay on the part of the Administrative Agent or any
Lender in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder or under any other
Credit Document and no course of dealing between the Administrative Agent or any
Lender and any of the Credit Parties shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor
shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder
or under any other Credit Document preclude any other or further exercise
thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege hereunder or
thereunder. The rights and remedies provided herein are cumulative and not
exclusive of any rights or remedies which the Administrative Agent or any Lender
would otherwise have. No notice to or demand on any Credit Party in any case
shall entitle the Borrower or any other Credit Party to any other or further
notice or demand in similar or other circumstances or constitute a waiver of the
rights of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders to any other or further action
in any circumstances without notice or demand.

           11.5 Payment of Expenses, etc.
                ------------------------

           The Borrower agrees to: (i) pay all reasonable out-of-pocket costs
and expenses (A) of the Administrative Agent in connection with the negotiation,
preparation, execution and delivery of this Credit Agreement and the other
Credit Documents and the documents and instruments referred to therein
(including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and expenses of Moore & Van
Allen, PLLC, special counsel to the Administrative Agent) and any amendment,
waiver or consent relating hereto and thereto including, but not limited to, any
such amendments, waivers or consents resulting from or related to any work-out,
renegotiation or restructure relating to the performance by the Credit Parties
under this Credit Agreement and (B) of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders
in connection with enforcement of or preservation of rights under the Credit
Documents and the documents and instruments referred to therein (including,
without 

                                      78
<PAGE>
 
limitation, in connection with any such enforcement, the reasonable fees
and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent and each of the
Lenders); (ii) pay all reasonable fees, costs and expenses (including reasonable
fees of employees of the Administrative Agent or its Affiliates) of "field
audits" of inventory conducted as provided in Section 7.7(b) limited prior to
the occurrence of an Event of Default to $25,000 in any fiscal year; (iii) pay
and hold each of the Lenders harmless from and against any and all present and
future stamp and other similar taxes with respect to the foregoing matters and
save each of the Lenders harmless from and against any and all liabilities with
respect to or resulting from any delay or omission (other than to the extent
attributable to such Lender) to pay such taxes; and (iv) indemnify each Lender,
its officers, directors, employees, representatives and Administrative Agents
from and hold each of them harmless against any and all losses, liabilities,
claims, damages or reasonable expenses incurred by any of them as a result of,
or arising out of, or in any way related to, or by reason of (A) any
investigation, litigation or other proceeding (whether or not any Lender is a
party thereto) related to the entering into and/or performance of any Credit
Document or the use of proceeds of any Loans (including other extensions of
credit) hereunder or the consummation of any other transactions contemplated in
any Credit Document, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and
disbursements of counsel incurred in connection with any such investigation,
litigation or other proceeding (other than investigations, litigation or other
proceedings relating solely to claims between or among the Lenders) or (B) the
presence or Release of any Materials of Environmental Concern at, under or from
any Property owned, operated or leased by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries, or the failure by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to
comply with any Environmental Law (but excluding, in the case of either of
clause (A) or (B) above, any such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or
expenses to the extent incurred by reason of gross negligence or willful
misconduct on the part of the Person to be indemnified).

           11.6      Amendments, Waivers and Consents.

           Neither this Credit Agreement nor any other Credit Document nor any
of the terms hereof or thereof may be amended, changed, waived, discharged or
terminated unless such amendment, change, waiver, discharge or termination is in
writing entered into by, or approved in writing by, the Required Lenders and the
Borrower, provided, however, that:

                     (a) no such amendment, change, waiver, discharge or
           termination shall, without the consent of each Lender directly
           affected thereby, (i) reduce the rate or extend the time of payment
           of interest (other than as a result of waiving the applicability of
           any post-default increase in interest rates) on any Loan or the
           Commitment Fee or the Letter of Credit Fee hereunder, (ii) extend (A)
           the Commitments of the Lenders, (B) the final maturity of any Loan,
           or any portion thereof, or (C) the time of payment of any
           reimbursement obligation, or any portion thereof, arising from
           drawings under Letters of Credit, or (iii) reduce the principal
           amount on any Loan;

                     (b) no such amendment, change, waiver, discharge or
           termination shall, without the consent of each Lender affected
           thereby, (i) increase the Commitments of the Lenders over the amount
           thereof in effect (it being understood and agreed that a waiver of
           any Default or Event of Default or of a mandatory reduction in the
           total commitments shall not constitute a change in the terms of any
           Commitment of any Lender), (ii) except as the result of or in
           connection with a release of collateral as provided in Section 3.16
           or with a 



                                      79
<PAGE>
 
           dissolution, merger or disposition permitted under Section 8.4,
           release all or substantially all of the collateral pledged to secure
           the Obligations hereunder or release all or substantially all of the
           Guarantors from the guaranty obligations hereunder, (iii) amend,
           modify or waive any provision of this Section 11.6 or Section 3.6,
           3.10, 3.11, 3.12, 3.13, 3.16, Section 4, 9.1(a), 11.3, 11.5 or 11.9,
           (iv) reduce any percentage specified in, or otherwise modify, the
           definition of "Required Lenders," or (v) consent to the assignment or
           transfer by the Borrower (or any Guarantor) of any of its rights and
           obligations under (or in respect of) the Credit Documents to which it
           is a party; and

                 (c) no provision of Section 2.2 may be amended without the
           consent of the Issuing Lender and no provision of Section 10 may be
           amended without the consent of the Administrative Agent.

           11.7  Counterparts.
                 ------------

           This Credit Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts,
each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all of
which shall constitute one and the same instrument. It shall not be necessary in
making proof of this Credit Agreement to produce or account for more than one
such counterpart.

           11.8  Headings.
                 --------

           The headings of the sections and subsections hereof are provided for
convenience only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or construction of
any provision of this Credit Agreement.

           11.9  Survival.
                 --------

           All indemnities set forth herein, including, without limitation, in
Section 2.2(i), 3.9, 3.11, 7.8(c), 10.7 or 11.5 shall survive the execution and
delivery of this Credit Agreement, the making of the Loans, the issuance of the
Letters of Credit, the repayment of the Loans, LOC Obligations and other
obligations under the Credit Documents and the termination of the Commitments
hereunder, and all representations and warranties made by the Credit Parties
herein shall survive delivery of the Notes and the making of the Loans
hereunder.

           11.10     Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Venue.
                     ------------------------------------------------

           (a) THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS AND THE
RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED
BY AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF
NORTH CAROLINA. Any legal action or proceeding with respect to this Credit
Agreement or any other Credit Document may be brought in the courts of the State
of North Carolina in Mecklenburg County, or of the United States for the Western
District of North Carolina, and, by execution and delivery of this Credit
Agreement, each of the Credit Parties hereby irrevocably accepts for itself and
in respect of its property, generally and unconditionally, the nonexclusive
jurisdiction of such courts. Each of the Credit Parties further irrevocably
consents to the service of process out of any of the 


                                      80
<PAGE>
 
aforementioned courts in any such action or proceeding by the mailing of copies
thereof by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to it at the address
set out for notices pursuant to Section 11.1, such service to become effective
three (3) days after such mailing. Nothing herein shall affect the right of the
Administrative Agent to serve process in any other manner permitted by law or to
commence legal proceedings or to otherwise proceed against any Credit Party in
any other jurisdiction.

           (b) Each of the Credit Parties hereby irrevocably waives any
objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any of
the aforesaid actions or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this
Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document brought in the courts referred to
in subsection (a) hereof and hereby further irrevocably waives and agrees not to
plead or claim in any such court that any such action or proceeding brought in
any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

           (c) TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, EACH OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT,
THE LENDERS, THE BORROWER AND THE CREDIT PARTIES HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL
RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF
OR RELATING TO THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT, ANY OF THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS OR THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

           11.11     Severability.
                     ------------

           If any provision of any of the Credit Documents is determined to be
illegal, invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be fully severable and
the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect and shall be
construed without giving effect to the illegal, invalid or unenforceable
provisions.

           11.12     Entirety.
                     --------

           This Credit Agreement together with the other Credit Documents
represent the entire agreement of the parties hereto and thereto, and supersede
all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, if any, including any
commitment letters or correspondence relating to the Credit Documents or the
transactions contemplated herein and therein.

           11.13     Binding Effect; Termination.
                     ---------------------------

           (a) This Credit Agreement shall become effective at such time on or
after the Closing Date when it shall have been executed by the Borrower, the
Guarantors and the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent shall have
received copies hereof (telefaxed or otherwise) which, when taken together, bear
the signatures of each Lender, and thereafter this Credit Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower, the Guarantors, the
Administrative Agent and each Lender and their respective successors and
assigns.

           (b) The term of this Credit Agreement shall be until no Loans, LOC
Obligations or any other amounts payable hereunder or under any of the other
Credit Documents shall remain outstanding and until all of the Commitments
hereunder shall have expired or been terminated.


                                      81
<PAGE>
 
           11.14     Confidentiality.
                     ---------------

           The Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree to keep confidential
(and to cause their respective affiliates, officers, directors, employees,
Administrative Agents and representatives to keep confidential) all information,
materials and documents furnished to the Administrative Agent or any such Lender
by or on behalf of any Credit Party (whether before or after the Closing Date)
which relates to the Company, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries (the
"Information"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrative Agent and each
Lender shall be permitted to disclose Information (i) to its affiliates,
officers, directors, employees, Administrative Agents and representatives in
connection with its participation in any of the transactions evidenced by this
Credit Agreement or any other Credit Documents or the administration of this
Credit Agreement or any other Credit Documents; (ii) to the extent required by
applicable laws and regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, or
requested by any Governmental Authority; (iii) to the extent such Information
(A) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Credit
Agreement or any agreement entered into pursuant to clause (iv) below, (B)
becomes available to the Administrative Agent or such Lender on a
non-confidential basis from a source other than a Credit Party or (C) was
available to the Administrative Agent or such Lender on a non-confidential basis
prior to its disclosure to the Administrative Agent or such Lender by a Credit
Party; (iv) to any assignee or participant (or prospective assignee or
participant) so long as such assignee or participant (or prospective assignee or
participant) first specifically agrees in a writing furnished to and for the
benefit of the Credit Parties to be bound by the terms of this Section 11.14; or
(v) to the extent that the Borrower shall have consented in writing to such
disclosure. Nothing set forth in this Section 11.14 shall obligate the
Administrative Agent or any Lender to return any materials furnished by the
Credit Parties.

           11.15     Source of Funds.
                     ---------------

           Each of the Lenders hereby represents and warrants to the Borrower
that at least one of the following statements is an accurate representation as
to the source of funds to be used by such Lender in connection with the
financing hereunder:

                     (a) no part of such funds constitutes assets allocated to
           any separate account maintained by such Lender in which any employee
           benefit plan (or its related trust) has any interest;

                     (b) to the extent that any part of such funds constitutes
           assets allocated to any separate account maintained by such Lender,
           such Lender has disclosed to the Borrower the name of each employee
           benefit plan whose assets in such account exceed 10% of the total
           assets of such account as of the date of such purchase (and, for
           purposes of this subsection (b), all employee benefit plans
           maintained by the same employer or employee organization are deemed
           to be a single plan);

                     (c) to the extent that any part of such funds constitutes
           assets of an insurance company's general account, such insurance
           company has complied with all of the requirements of the regulations
           issued under Section 401(c)(1)(A) of ERISA; or



                                      82
<PAGE>
 
                     (d)  such funds constitute assets of one or more specific
           benefit plans which such Lender has identified in writing to the
           Borrower.

As used in this Section 11.15, the terms "employee benefit plan" and "separate
account" shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in Section 3
of ERISA.

           11.16     Conflict.
                     --------

           To the extent that there is a conflict or inconsistency between any
provision hereof, on the one hand, and any provision of any Credit Document, on
the other hand, this Credit Agreement shall control.

                          [Signature Page to Follow]



                                      83
<PAGE>
 
           IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused a
counterpart of this Credit Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the
date first above written.

BORROWER:            AMERISOURCE CORPORATION,
--------             a Delaware corporation
                     

                     By:
                        ----------------------------
                     Name:
                     Title:


GUARANTORS:          AMERISOURCE HEALTH CORPORATION,
----------           a Delaware corporation
                     

                     By:
                        ----------------------------
                     Name:
                     Title:



                     AMERISOURCE HEALTH SERVICES CORP.,
                     a Delaware corporation

                     By:
                        ----------------------------
                     Name:
                     Title:



                     HEALTH SERVICES CAPITAL CORP.,
                     a Delaware corporation

                     By:
                        ----------------------------
                     Name:
                     Title:



                     HEALTH SERVICES PLUS, INC.,
                     a Delaware corporation

                     By:
                        ----------------------------
                     Name:
                     Title:
<PAGE>
 
LENDERS:             NATIONSBANK, N.A.,
-------              individually in its capacity as a Lender
                     and in its capacity as Administrative Agent
                     

                     By:
                        ----------------------------
                     Name:
                     Title:



                     BANKERS TRUST COMPANY

                     By:
                        ----------------------------
                     Name:
                     Title:



                     CORESTATES BANK, N.A.

                     By:
                        ----------------------------
                     Name:
                     Title:



                     ABN AMRO BANK N V 
                     New York Branch

                     By:
                        ----------------------------
                     Name:
                     Title:

                     By:
                        ----------------------------
                     Name:
                     Title:



                     BANK OF MONTREAL

                     By:
                        ----------------------------
                     Name:
                     Title:
<PAGE>
 
                     THE BANK OF NEW YORK

                     By:
                        ----------------------------
                     Name:
                     Title:



                     THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA

                     By:
                        ----------------------------
                     Name:
                     Title:



                     CIBC, INC.

                     By:
                        ----------------------------
                     Name:
                     Title:



                     CREDIT AGRICOLE

                     By:
                        ----------------------------
                     Name:
                     Title:



                     THE FUJI BANK, LIMITED

                     By:
                        ----------------------------
                     Name:
                     Title:



                     INDUSTRIAL BANK OF JAPAN TRUST COMPANY

                     By:
                        ----------------------------
                     Name:
                     Title:
<PAGE>
 
                     LTCB TRUST COMPANY

                     By:
                        ----------------------------
                     Name:
                     Title:



                     THE SANWA BANK, LIMITED

                     By:
                        ----------------------------
                     Name:
                     Title:




                     THE SUMITOMO BANK, LIMITED
                     New York Branch

                     By:
                        ----------------------------
                     Name:
                     Title:



                     TORONTO DOMINION BANK

                     By:
                        ----------------------------
                     Name:
                     Title:
<PAGE>
 
                                Schedule 2.1(a)
                                ---------------

                      Schedule of Lenders and Commitments

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                               Revolving
                                                    Revolving                  Commitment                          LOC
                 Lender                          Committed Amount              Percentage                   Committed Amount
                 ------                          ----------------              ----------                   ----------------
<S>                                               <C>                         <C>                             <C> 
NationsBank, N.A.                                 $53,333,333.33              10.66666666%                    $3,200,000.00
101 North Tryon Street
15th Floor, Agency Services
NC1-001-15-04
Charlotte, NC 28255
Tel:  (704) 386-9371
Fax: (704) 386-9923

Bankers Trust Company                              $53,333,333.33             10.66666666%                   $3,200,000.00
14 Wall Street, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10005
Tel: (212) 618-2615
Fax: (212) 618-2640

CoreStates Bank, N.A.                              $53,333,333.33             10.66666666%                   $3,200,000.00
FC 1-8-3-8
1345 Chestnut Street
PO Box 7618
Philadelphia, PA 19101-7618
Tel: (215) 973-2315
Fax: (215) 973-6745

ABN AMRO Bank N.V.                                 $35,000,000.00              7.00000000%                   $2,100,000.00
500 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Tel: (212) 832-7129
Fax: (212) 446-4297

Bank of Montreal                                   $35,000,000.00              7.00000000%                   $2,100,000.00
115 South LaSalle Street
12th Floor
Chicago, IL 60603
Tel: (312) 750-4368
Fax: (312) 750-4314

The Bank of New York                               $25,000,000.00              5.00000000%                   $1,500,000.00
One Wall Street
New York, NY 10286
Tel: (212) 635-6987
Fax:
</TABLE> 
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                 Revolving 
                                                    Revolving                    Commitment                        LOC
                 Lender                          Committed Amount                Percentage                 Committed Amount
                 ------                          ----------------                ----------                 ----------------
<S>                                               <C>                            <C>                        <C> 
The Bank of Nova Scotia                            $35,000,000.00                7.00000000%                 $2,100,000.00
New York Agency
One Liberty Plaza
New York, NY 10006
Tel: (212) 225-5017
Fax:

CIBC, Inc.                                          $35,000,000.00               7.00000000%                  $2,100,000.00
425 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Tel: (212) 856-3545
Fax: (212) 856-3991

Credit Agricole                                     $25,000,000.00               5.00000000%                  $1,500,000.00
520 Madison Avenue, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10022
Tel: (212) 418-7087
Fax: (212) 418-2228

The Fuji Bank, Limited                              $25,000,000.00               5.00000000%                  $1,500,000.00
New York Branch
Two World Trade Center
New York, NY 10048
Tel: (212) 898-2067
Fax: (212) 321-9407

Industrial Bank of Japan 
Trust Company
New York Branch                                     $35,000,000.00               7.00000000%                  $2,100,000.00
245 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10167-0037
Tel: (212) 309-6783
Fax: (212) 856-9450

LTCB Trust Company                                  $15,000,000.00               3.00000000%                    $900,000.00
165 Broadway
New York, NY 10006
Tel: (212) 335-4534
Fax: (212) 608-9349
</TABLE> 
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<S>                                                 <C>                          <C>                          <C> 
The Sanwa Bank Limited                              $25,000,000.00               5.00000000%                  $1,500,000.00
New York Branch
Park Avenue Plaza
55 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10055
Tel: (212) 339-6232
Fax: (212) 754-1304

The Sumitomo Bank, Limited                          $15,000,000.00               3.00000000%                    $900,000.00
New York Branch
277 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10172
Tel: (212) 224-4125
Fax:

Toronto Dominion Bank                               $35,000,000.00               7.00000000%                  $2,100,000.00
Suite 1700
909 Fannin
Houston, TX 77010
Tel: (713) 653-8242
</TABLE> 
<PAGE>
 
                              Schedule 2.1(b)(i)
                              ------------------
                          FORM OF NOTICE OF BORROWING

NationsBank, N.A.,
  as Administrative Agent for the Lenders
101 N. Tryon Street
Independence Center, 15th Floor
NC1-001-15-04
Charlotte, North Carolina  28255
Attention:  Agency Services

           Re:       Credit Agreement dated as of January 8, 1997 (as amended
                     and modified, the "Credit Agreement") among AmeriSource
                                        ----------------
                     Corporation, the Guarantors and Lenders identified therein
                     and NationsBank, N.A., as Administrative Agent. Terms used
                     but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings
                     provided in the Credit Agreement.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned, AMERISOURCE CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation, being the
Borrower under the above-referenced Credit Agreement hereby gives notice
pursuant to Section 2.1(b) of the Credit Agreement of a request for a Revolving
Loan as follows

(A)        Date of Borrowing
           (which is a Business Day)                _______________________

(B)        Principal Amount of
           Borrowing                                _______________________

(C)        Interest rate basis.                     _______________________

(D)        Interest Period and the
           last day thereof                         _______________________

In accordance with the requirements of Section 5.2 of the Credit Agreement, the
undersigned Borrower hereby certifies that:

                     (a) The representations and warranties contained in the
           Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents are true and correct
           in all material respects as of the date of this request, and will be
           true and correct after giving effect to the requested Extension of
           Credit (except for those which expressly relate to an earlier date).
<PAGE>
 
                     (b) No Default or Event of Default exists, or will exist
           after giving effect to the requested Extension of Credit.

                     (c) No circumstances, events or conditions have occurred
           since the date of the audited financial statements referenced in
           Section 6.1 of the Credit Agreement which would have a Material
           Adverse Effect.

                     (d) All conditions set forth in Section 2.1 as to the
           making of Revolving Loans have been satisfied.

                                         Very truly yours,

                                         AMERISOURCE CORPORATION

                                         By:
                                            -------------------------------
                                         Name:
                                         Title:
<PAGE>
 
                                Schedule 2.1(e)
                                ---------------

                            FORM OF REVOLVING NOTE

                                                               January 8, 1997

           FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned Borrower, hereby promises to pay
to the order of ________________________, and its successors and assigns, on or
before the Termination Date to the office of the Administrative Agent in
immediately available funds as provided in the Credit Agreement, the principal
amount of such Lender's Revolving Committed Amount or, if less, the aggregate
unpaid principal amount of all Revolving Loans made by such Lender to the
undersigned Borrower; together with interest thereon at the rates and as
provided in the Credit Agreement.

           This Note is one of the Revolving Notes referred to in the Credit
Agreement dated as of January 8, 1997 (as amended and modified, the "Credit
                                                                     ------
Agreement among AmeriSource Corporation, a Delaware corporation, AmeriSource
---------
Health Corporation, a Delaware corporation, the Guarantors and Lenders
identified therein and NationsBank, N.A., as Administrative Agent. Terms used
but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings provided in the Credit
Agreement.

           The holder may endorse and attach a schedule to reflect borrowings
evidenced by this Note and all payments and prepayments thereon; provided that
                                                                 --------
any failure to endorse such information shall not affect the obligation of the
undersigned Borrower to pay amounts evidenced hereby.

           Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, all amounts evidenced by
this Note may, or shall, become immediately due and payable as provided in the
Credit Agreement without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind, all
of which are waived by the undersigned Borrower. In the event payment of amounts
evidenced by this Note is not made at any stated or accelerated maturity, the
undersigned Borrower agrees to pay, in addition to principal and interest, all
costs of collection, including reasonable attorneys' fees.

           This Note and the Loans and amounts evidenced hereby may be
transferred only as provided in the Credit Agreement.

           This Note shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in
accordance with, the law of the State of North Carolina.

           IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Borrower has caused this Note to
be duly executed as of the date first above written.

                                        AMERISOURCE CORPORATION,
                                        a Delaware corporation

                                        By
                                          ----------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                        Title:
<PAGE>
 
                                Schedule 2.2(a)
                                ---------------

                          Existing Letters of Credit
<PAGE>
 
                                Schedule 2.2(b)
                                ---------------

                Form of Notice of Request for Letter of Credit

                                    [Date]

<TABLE> 
<S>                                                  <C> 
NationsBank, N.A.,                                   NationsBank, N.A.,
  as Issuing Agent under the                           as Administrative Agent under the
  Credit Agreement referred to below                   Credit Agreement referred to below
101 N. Tryon Street                                  101 N. Tryon Street
Independence Center, 15th Floor                      Independence Center, 15th Floor
NC1-001-15-04                                        NC1-001-15-04
Charlotte, North Carolina  28255                     Charlotte, North Carolina  28255
</TABLE> 

Attention:    Agency Services

        Re:   Credit Agreement dated as of January 8, 1997 (as amended and
              modified, the "Credit Agreement") among AmeriSource Corporation,
                             ----------------
              the Guarantors and Lenders identified therein and NationsBank,
              N.A., as Administrative Agent. Terms used but not otherwise
              defined herein shall have the meanings provided in the Credit
              Agreement.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

           Pursuant to subsection 2.2(b) of the Credit Agreement (as amended and
modified, the "Credit Agreement") dated as of January 8, 1997 among AMERISOURCE
               ----------------
CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation, the Guarantors identified therein, the
Lenders and NationsBank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, the Company hereby
requests that the following Letters of Credit be made on [date] as follows (the
"Proposed Extension"):
 ------------------

           (1)   Account Party:
                 
           (2)   For use by:
                 
           (3)   Beneficiary:
                 
           (4)   Face Amount of Letter of Credit:
                 
           (5)   Date of Issuance

           Delivery of Letter of Credit should be made as follows:
<PAGE>
 
           In accordance with the requirements of Section 5.2 of the Credit
Agreement, the undersigned Borrower hereby certifies that:

           (a) The representations and warranties contained in the Credit
Agreement and the other Credit Documents are true and correct in all material
respects as of the date of this request, and will be true and correct after
giving effect to the requested Extension of Credit (except for those which
expressly relate to an earlier date).

           (b) No Default or Event of Default exists, or will exist after giving
effect to the requested Extension of Credit.

           (c) No circumstances, events or conditions have occurred since the
date of the audited financial statements referenced in Section 6.1 of the Credit
Agreement which would have a Material Adverse Effect.

           (d) All conditions set forth in Section 2.2 as to the issuance of a
Letter of Credit have been satisfied.


                                        Very truly yours,

                                        AMERISOURCE CORPORATION

                                        By:
                                           --------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                        Title:
<PAGE>
 
                                 Schedule 3.2
                                 ------------
                    Form of Notice of Extension/Conversion

NationsBank, N.A.,
  as Administrative Agent for the Lenders
101 N. Tryon Street
Independence Center, 15th Floor
NC1-001-15-04
Charlotte, North Carolina  28255
Attention:  Agency Services

         Re:   Credit Agreement dated as of January 8, 1997 (as amended and
               modified, the "Credit Agreement") among AmeriSource Corporation,
                              ----------------
               the Guarantors and Lenders identified therein and NationsBank,
               N.A., as Administrative Agent. Terms used but not otherwise
               defined herein shall have the meanings provided in the Credit
               Agreement.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

           The undersigned, AMERISOURCE CORPORATION (the "Borrower"), refers to
                                                          --------
the Credit Agreement dated as of January 8, 1997 (as amended, modified, extended
or restated from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), among the Borrower, the
                                    ----------------
Lenders and NationsBank, N.A., as Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used
herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such
terms in the Credit Agreement. The Borrower hereby gives notice pursuant to
Section 3.2 of the Credit Agreement that it requests an extension or conversion
of a Revolving Loan outstanding under the Credit Agreement, and in connection
therewith sets forth below the terms on which such extension or conversion is
requested to be made:

(A)   Date of Extension or Conversion
      (which is the last day of the
      the applicable Interest Period)             _______________________

(B)   Principal Amount of
      Extension or Conversion                     _______________________

(C)   Interest rate basis.                        _______________________

(D)   Interest Period and the
      last day thereof                            _______________________

           In accordance with the requirements of Section 5.2 of the Credit
Agreement, the undersigned Borrower hereby certifies that:
<PAGE>
 
     (a) The representations and warranties contained in the Credit Agreement
and the other Credit Documents are true and correct in all material respects as
of the date of this request, and will be true and correct after giving effect to
the requested Extension of Credit (except for those which expressly relate to an
earlier date).

     (b) No Default or Event of Default exists, or will exist after giving
effect to the requested Extension of Credit.

     (c) No circumstances, events or conditions have occurred since the date of
the audited financial statements referenced in Section 6.1 of the Credit
Agreement which would have a Material Adverse Effect.

     (d) All conditions set forth in Section 2.2 as to the issuance of a Letter
of Credit have been satisfied


                                    Very truly yours,

                                    AMERISOURCE CORPORATION

                                    By:
                                       ---------------------------------
                                    Name:
                                    Title:
<PAGE>
 
                              Schedule 5.1(i)(v)
                              ------------------ 
                            Secretary's Certificate

           Pursuant to Section 5.1(i)(v) of the Credit Agreement (the "Credit
                                                                       ------
Agreement"), dated as of January 8, 1997, among AMERISOURCE CORPORATION, a
---------
Delaware corporation, the Guarantors and Lenders identified therein and
NationsBank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, the undersigned ____________________
Secretary of _________________________ (the "Corporation") hereby certifies as
follows:

           1. Attached hereto as Annex I is a true and complete copy of
resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation on
__________________, 1996. The attached resolutions have not been rescinded or
modified and remain in full force and effect. The attached resolutions are the
only corporate proceedings of the Corporation now in force relating to or
affecting the matters referenced to therein.

           2. Attached hereto as Annex II is a true and complete copy of the By-
laws of the Corporation as in effect on the date hereof.

           3. Attached hereto as Annex III is a true and complete copy of the
Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation and all amendments thereto as in
effect on the date hereof.

           4. The following persons are now duly elected and qualified officers
of the Corporation, holding the offices indicated, and the signature appearing
opposite his name below is his true and genuine signature, and such officer is
duly authorized to execute and deliver on behalf of the Corporation the Credit
Agreement, the Notes to be issued pursuant thereto and the other Credit
Documents and to act as a Responsible Officer on behalf of the Corporation under
the Credit Agreement:

Name                          Office                     Signature
----                          ------                     ---------

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

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his/her name and
affixed the corporate seal of the Corporation.

                             -------------------------------,
                             Secretary
                             (CORPORATE SEAL)

Date: __________________, 1997

           I, ___________________, ___________________ of
________________________, hereby certify that ______________________, whose
genuine signature appears above, is, and has been at all times since
________________________, a duly elected, qualified and acting _________________
of ____________________________________.

                                                                   of
                               -----------------------------------
                               -----------------------------------
                                                        , 1997
                               -------------------------
<PAGE>
 
                            Schedule 5.1(i)(vi)(A)
                            ----------------------  
                             Solvency Certificate

                                Solvency Certificate

           Pursuant to Section 5.1(i)(vi) of the Credit Agreement (the "Credit
                                                                        ------
Agreement;" terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings
---------
provided in the Credit Agreement), dated as of January 8, 1997, among
AMERISOURCE CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation, the Guarantors and Lenders
identified therein and NationsBank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, the
undersigned ____________________ of AMERISOURCE CORPORATION, a Delaware
corporation (the "Corporation"), hereby certifies:
                  -----------

           1. As of the date hereof, the Corporation and its Subsidiaries, on a
           consolidated basis, are able to pay their debts and other
           liabilities, contingent obligations and other commitments as they
           mature in the normal course of business.

           2. As of the date hereof, the Corporation and its Subsidiaries, on a
           consolidated basis, do not intend to, and do not believe that they
           will, incur debts or liabilities beyond their ability to pay as such
           debts and liabilities mature in their ordinary course.

           3. As of the date hereof, the Corporation and its Subsidiaries, on a
           consolidated basis, are not engaged in any business or transaction,
           and are not about to engage in any business or transaction, for which
           the Property of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries, on a
           consolidated basis, would constitute unreasonably small capital after
           giving due consideration to the prevailing practice in the industry
           in which Corporation and its Subsidiaries are engaged or are to
           engage.

           4. As of the date hereof, the present fair saleable value of the
           consolidated assets of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries is not
           less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable
           liability on the debts of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries, on a
           consolidated basis, as they become absolute and matured.

           This the 8th day of January, 1997.

                                       AMERISOURCE CORPORATION,
                                       a Delaware corporation
                     
                                       By:
                                          ------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:
<PAGE>
 
                            Schedule 5.1(i)(vi)(B)
                            ----------------------
                             Solvency Certificate

     Pursuant to Section 5.1(i)(vi) of the Credit Agreement (the "Credit
                                                                  ------ 
Agreement;" terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings
---------
provided in the Credit Agreement), dated as of January 8, 1997, among
AMERISOURCE CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation, the Guarantors and Lenders
identified therein and NationsBank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, the
undersigned ____________________ of AMERISOURCE HEALTH CORPORATION, a Delaware
corporation, hereby certifies:

           1. As of the date hereof, the Credit Parties, on a consolidated
           basis, are able to pay their debts and other liabilities, contingent
           obligations and other commitments as they mature in the normal course
           of business.

           2. As of the date hereof, the Credit Parties, on a consolidated
           basis, do not intend to, and do not believe that they will, incur
           debts or liabilities beyond their ability to pay as such debts and
           liabilities mature in their ordinary course.

           3. As of the date hereof, the Credit Parties, on a consolidated
           basis, are not engaged in any business or transaction, and are not
           about to engage in any business or transaction, for which the
           Property of the Credit Parties, on a consolidated basis, would
           constitute unreasonably small capital after giving due consideration
           to the prevailing practice in the industry in which Credit Parties
           are engaged or are to engage.

           4. As of the date hereof, the present fair saleable value of the
           consolidated assets of the Credit Parties is not less than the amount
           that will be required to pay the probable liability on the debts of
           the Credit Parties, on a consolidated basis, as they become absolute
           and matured.

           This the 8th day of January, 1997.

                                AMERISOURCE HEALTH CORPORATION,
                                a Delaware corporation
                     
                                By:
                                   ------------------------
                                Name:
                                Title:
<PAGE>
 
                                 Schedule 6.6
                                 ------------

                        Description of Legal Proceedings
<PAGE>
 
                                  Schedule 6.8
                                  ------------

                                      Liens
<PAGE>
 
                                  Schedule 6.11
                                  -------------
 
                                   Tax Claims
<PAGE>
 
                                  Schedule 6.14
                                  -------------

                                  Subsidiaries
<PAGE>
 
                                 Schedule 7.2(b)
                                 ---------------

                    Form of Officer's Compliance Certificate

           This Certificate is delivered in accordance with the provisions of
Section 7.2(b) of that Credit Agreement dated as of January 8, 1997 (as amended,
modified and supplemented, the "Credit Agreement") among AMERISOURCE
                                ----------------
CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation, the Guarantors and Lenders identified
therein, and NationsBank, N.A., as Administrative Agent. Terms used but not
otherwise defined herein shall have the same meanings provided in the Credit
Agreement.

           The undersigned, being a Responsible Officer of AMERISOURCE
CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation, hereby certifies, in my official capacity
and not in my individual capacity, that to the best of my knowledge and belief:

              (a) the financial statements accompanying this Certificate fairly
            present in all material respects the financial condition of the
            parties covered by such financial statements in accordance with
            GAAP;

              (b) during the period the members of the Consolidated Group
            have observed or performed in all material respects the covenants
            and other agreements, and satisfied in all material respects every
            material condition, contained in this Credit Agreement to be
            observed, performed or satisfied by them;

              (c) the undersigned has no actual knowledge of any Default or
            Event of Default; and

              (d) detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with the
            financial covenants set out in Section 7.9 of the Credit Agreement
            accompany this Certificate.

              This the ___________ day of ___________________, 199___.

                                          AMERISOURCE CORPORATION

                     
                                          By:___________________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title:
<PAGE>
 
                      Attachment to Officer's Certificate
                      -----------------------------------

                      Computation of Financial Covenants
<PAGE>
 
                                Schedule 7.11-1
                                ---------------
 
                           Form of Joinder Agreement

           THIS JOINDER AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), dated as of _____________,
                                        ---------
19__, is by and between _____________________, a ___________________ (the
"Applicant Guarantor"), and NATIONSBANK, N.A., in its capacity as Administrative
 -------------------
Agent under that certain Credit Agreement dated as of January 8, 1997 (as
amended and modified, the "Credit Agreement") by and among AMERISOURCE
                           ----------------
CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation, the Guarantors and Lenders identified
therein and NationsBank, N.A., as Administrative Agent. All of the defined terms
in the Credit Agreement are incorporated herein by reference.

           The Applicant Guarantor has indicated its desire to become a
Guarantor or is required by the terms of Section 7.11 of the Credit Agreement to
become, a Guarantor under the Credit Agreement.

           Accordingly, the Applicant Guarantor hereby agrees as follows with
the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders:

           1. The Applicant Guarantor hereby acknowledges, agrees and confirms
that, by its execution of this Agreement, the Applicant Guarantor will be deemed
to be a party to the Credit Agreement and a "Guarantor" for all purposes of the
Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents, and shall have all of the
obligations of a Guarantor thereunder as if it had executed the Credit Agreement
and the other Credit Documents. The Applicant Guarantor agrees to be bound by,
all of the terms, provisions and conditions applicable to a Guarantor contained
in the Credit Documents, including without limitation (i) all of the affirmative
and negative covenants set forth in Sections 7 and 8 of the Credit Agreement and
(ii) all of the undertakings and waivers set forth in Section 4 of the Credit
Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing terms of this
paragraph 1, the Applicant Guarantor hereby (A) jointly and severally together
with the other Guarantors, guarantees to each Lender, the Administrative Agent
and the Issuing Lender as provided in Section 4 of the Credit Agreement, the
prompt payment and performance of the Guaranteed Obligations in full when due
(whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration, as a
mandatory cash collateralization or otherwise) strictly in accordance with the
terms thereof. and (B) agrees that if any of the Guaranteed Obligations are not
paid or performed in full when due (whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory
prepayment, by acceleration, as a mandatory cash collateralization or
otherwise), the Applicant Guarantor will, jointly and severally together with
the other Guarantors, promptly pay and perform the same, without any demand or
notice whatsoever, and that in the case of any extension of time of payment or
renewal of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, the same will be promptly paid in
full when due (whether at extended maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by
acceleration, as a mandatory cash collateralization or otherwise) in accordance
with the terms of such extension or renewal.
<PAGE>
 
           2. The Applicant Guarantor acknowledges and confirms that it has
received a copy of the Credit Agreement and the Schedules and Exhibits thereto.
The information on the Schedules to the Credit Agreement, the Security Agreement
and the Pledge Agreement are amended to provide the information shown on the
attached Schedule A.
         ----------

           3. The Applicant Guarantor hereby waives acceptance by the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders of the guaranty by the Applicant Guarantor
under Section 4 of the Credit Agreement upon the execution of this Joinder
Agreement by the Applicant Guarantor.

           4. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each
of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall
constitute one contract.

           5. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and interpreted
in accordance with the laws of the State of North Carolina.

           IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Applicant Guarantor has caused this Joinder
Agreement to be duly executed by its authorized officers, and the Administrative
Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, has caused the same to be accepted by its
authorized officer, as of the day and year first above written.

                                     APPLICANT GUARANTOR


                                     By:
                                     Name:
                                     Title:

                                     Address for Notices:

                                     Attn:  
                                            -----------------------
                                     Telephone:
                                     Telecopy:

                                     Acknowledged and accepted:

                                     NATIONSBANK, N.A., as Administrative
                                          Agent

                                     By:
                                     Name:
                                     Title:
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 


                                                 Schedule A
                                                 ----------
                                                     to
                                              Joinder Agreement


                                      Schedule A to Security Agreement
                                      --------------------------------

                            Address for         Chief Executive         Locations of         Record
Applicant Guarantor           Notices               Office               Collateral           Owner
-------------------           -------               ------               ----------           -----
<S>                         <C>                 <C>                     <C>                  <C> 
</TABLE> 
<PAGE>
 
                                Schedule 7.11-2
                                ---------------

                            Pledge Joinder Agreement

           THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), dated as of ______________,
                                       ---------
19__, is by and between _________________, a _______________________ corporation
(the "Pledgor") and NATIONSBANK, N.A., in its capacity as Administrative Agent
      -------
under the Pledge Agreement to which the Pledgor is a party as referenced and
defined in that certain Credit Agreement dated as of January 8, 1997 (as amended
and modified, the "Credit Agreement") by and among AMERISOURCE CORPORATION, a
                   ----------------
Delaware corporation, the Guarantors and Lenders identified therein and
NationsBank, N.A., as Administrative Agent. All of the defined terms in the
Pledge Agreement are incorporated herein by reference.

           The Pledgor is required to pledge certain additional interests under
the Pledge Agreement pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement and the other
Credit Documents.

           Accordingly, the Pledgor hereby agrees as follows with the Agent
under the Pledge Agreement as follows:

           1. The Pledgor hereby pledges, and grants a security interest in, the
Pledged Securities identified on Schedule A attached and all of the Pledged
                                 ----------
Collateral relating thereto, to the Paying Agent pursuant to the terms of the
Pledge Agreement. The information on the Schedules to the Pledge Agreement are
amended to provide the information shown on the attached Schedule A.
                                                         ----------

           2. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each
of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall
constitute one contract.

           3. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and interpreted
in accordance with the laws of the State of North Carolina.

           IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Pledgor has caused this Joinder Agreement to
be duly executed by its authorized officer, and the Agent has caused the same to
be accepted by its authorized officer, as of the day and year first above
written.

PLEDGOR:                             
-------                              --------------------------------

                                     By:
                                        -----------------------------
                                     Name:
                                          ---------------------------
                                     Title:
                                           --------------------------
                                     Acknowledged and accepted:

                                     NATIONSBANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent
                                     By:
                                        -----------------------------
                                     Name:
                                          ---------------------------
                                     Title:
                                           --------------------------


<PAGE>
 
                                  Schedule A
                                  ----------   
                                      to
                               Joinder Agreement

                       Schedule 2(a) to Pledge Agreement
                       ---------------------------------   
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

Description of Pledged Shares


                                 No. of      Certificate
  Pledgor         Issuer         Shares          No.          Percentage
  -------         ------         ------          ---          ----------
<S>             <C>            <C>         <C>              <C> 

</TABLE> 
<PAGE>
 
                                 Schedule 8.1
                                 ------------

                                 INDEBTEDNESS
<PAGE>
 
                                 Schedule 8.5
                                 ------------

                             Existing Investments
<PAGE>
 
                               Schedule 11.3(b)
                               ----------------

                       Form of Assignment and Acceptance

           THIS ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE dated as of _________________________,
199___ is entered into between THE LENDER IDENTIFIED ON THE SIGNATURE PAGES AS
THE "ASSIGNOR" (the "Assignor") and THE PARTIES IDENTIFIED ON THE SIGNATURE
                     --------
PAGES AS "ASSIGNEES" ("Assignee").
                       --------

           Reference is made to that Credit Agreement dated as of January 8,
1997 (as amended and modified, the "Credit Agreement") among AMERISOURCE
                                    ----------------
CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), the Guarantors and Lenders
                                          --------
identified therein and NationsBank, N.A., as Administrative Agent. Terms defined
in the Credit Agreement are used herein with the same meanings.

           1.  The Assignor hereby sells and assigns, without recourse, to the
Assignees, and the Assignees hereby purchase and assume, without recourse, from
the Assignor, effective as of the Effective Date shown below, those rights and
interests of the Assignor under the Credit Agreement identified below (the
"Assigned Interests"), including the Obligations and Commitments relating
 ------------------
thereto, together with unpaid interest and fees relating thereto accruing from
the Effective Date. The Assignor represents and warrants that it owns the
interests assigned hereby free and clear of liens, encumbrances or other claims.
Each of the Assignees represents that it is an Eligible Assignee within the
meaning of the term in the Credit Agreement. The Assignor and each of the
Assignees hereby makes and agrees to be bound by all the representations,
warranties and agreements set forth in Section 11.3 of the Credit Agreement, a
copy of which has been received by each such party. From and after the Effective
Date (i) each Assignee, if it is not already a Lender under the Credit
Agreement, shall be a party to and be bound by the provisions of the Credit
Agreement and, to the extent of the interests assigned by this Assignment and
Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender thereunder and (ii) each
Assignor shall, to the extent of the interests assigned by this Assignment and
Acceptance, relinquish its rights and be released from its obligations under the
Credit Agreement (other than the rights of indemnification referenced in Section
11.9 of the Credit Agreement).

           2.  This Assignment and Acceptance shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of North Carolina.

           3.  Terms of Assignment

           (a) Date of Assignment:                  ___________________, 199__

           (b) Legal Name of Assignor:              SEE SIGNATURE PAGE
<PAGE>
 
           (c) Legal Name of Assignee:              SEE SIGNATURE PAGE

           (d) Effective Date of Assignment:        ___________________, 199__

See Schedule I attached for a description of the Loans and Obligations and
    ----------
Commitments (and the percentage interests therein and relating thereto) which
are the subject of this Assignment and Acceptance.

           4. The fee payable to the Paying Agent in connection with this
Assignment is enclosed.

           IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused the execution of
this instrument by their duly authorized officers as of the date first above
written.

ASSIGNOR:                            ASSIGNEE:
--------                             --------

By____________________________       By____________________________
Name:                                Name:
Title:                               Title:

ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND CONSENT
--------------------------

NATIONSBANK, N A                     AMERISOURCE CORPORATION
as Administrative Agent

By___________________________        By____________________________
Name:                                Name:
Title:                               Title:
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 


                                                            SCHEDULE I
                                                            ----------
                                                   TO ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE

                                                      AMERISOURCE CORPORATION

                                     REVOLVING LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT PRIOR TO ASSIGNMENT

                        Revolving             Revolving               Revolving                 LOC                    LOC
                        Committed             Commitment                Loans                Committed             Obligations
                         Amount               Percentage             Outstanding               Amount              Outstanding
                         ------               ----------             -----------               ------              -----------
<S>            <C>                        <C>                    <C>                     <C>                    <C> 
ASSIGNOR
--------

ASSIGNEES
---------

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

                  $                                              $                       $                      $


                            REVOLVING LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT INTERESTS SUBJECT OF THIS ASSIGNMENT

                        Revolving             Revolving               Revolving                 LOC                    LOC       
                        Committed             Commitment               Loans                 Committed             Obligations   
                         Amount               Percentage             Outstanding               Amount              Outstanding   
                         ------               ----------             -----------               ------              -----------
<S>               <C>                     <C>                    <C>                     <C>                    <C> 
ASSIGNOR                                                                                                                         
--------                        
                  --------------------    --------------------   --------------------    --------------------   -------------------
                  $                                              $                       $                      $                   

                     
</TABLE> 
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                                                                    

                                                            SCHEDULE I
                                                            ----------
                                                   TO ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE
                                                      AMERISOURCE CORPORATION
                                                                                                                                    

                                      REVOLVING LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT AFTER ASSIGNMENT
                                                                                                                                    

                        Revolving             Revolving               Revolving                 LOC                    LOC          
                        Committed             Commitment               Loans                 Committed             Obligations      
                         Amount               Percentage             Outstanding               Amount              Outstanding      
                         ------               ----------             -----------               ------              -----------
<S>               <C>                     <C>                    <C>                     <C>                    <C> 

ASSIGNOR                                                                                                                            
--------

ASSIGNEES                                                                                                                           
--------- 
                  --------------------    --------------------   --------------------    --------------------   --------------------

                  $                                              $                       $                      $                   

</TABLE>