EXHIBIT 10.55

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         AGREEMENT, dated January __, 1998 and effective as of December 15,
1997, by and between ___________ (the "Executive") and Levitz Furniture
Incorporated ("LFI"), a Delaware corporation, Levitz Furniture Corporation
("LFC"), a Florida corporation, Levitz Furniture Realty Corporation ("LFC
Realty"), a Florida corporation, Levitz Shopping Service, Inc. ("LSS"), a
Florida corporation, Levitz Furniture Company of the Midwest Inc. ("LFC
Midwest"), a Colorado corporation, Levitz Furniture of the Pacific, Inc. ("LFC
Pacific"), a California corporation, Levitz Furniture Company of Washington,
Inc. ("LFC Washington"), a Washington corporation, Levitz Furniture Company of
the Midwest Realty, Inc. ("LFC Midwest Realty"), a Colorado corporation, Levitz
Furniture Company of the Pacific Realty, Inc. ("LFC Pacific Realty"), a
California corporation, Levitz Furniture Company of Washington Realty, Inc.,
("LFC Washington Realty"), a Washington corporation, John M. Smyth Company ("JMS
Co."), an Illinois corporation, and John M. Smyth Realty Company ("JMS Realty"),
an Illinois corporation (together, the "Company").

         WHEREAS, Executive is currently a party to a separate agreement
concerning certain terms and conditions of employment or termination of
employment; and

         WHEREAS, in light of the commencement of the Chapter 11 Case (as
defined below) on September 5, 1997, the Company desires to amend such
agreements as set forth herein; and

         WHEREAS, the Company desires to continue to employ Executive and
Executive desires to continue to furnish services to the Company on the terms
and conditions hereinafter set forth; and

         WHEREAS, the parties desire to enter into this amended agreement (the
"Agreement") setting forth the terms and conditions of the continuing employment
relationship of Executive with the Company; and

         WHEREAS, this Agreement is authorized and entered into by the parties
pursuant to that certain Order Under 11 U.S.C. Section 105, 363 And 365
Authorizing Implementation of Employee Retention Program, entered on or about
December 15, 1997 by the Honorable Joseph J. Farnan, Jr. in the jointly
administered Chapter 11 cases styled IN RE LEVITZ FURNITURE INCORPORATED, ET
AL., Case No. 97-1842 (JJF) (Bankr. Dist. Delaware) (together, the "Chapter 11
Case").

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
agreements set forth below, the parties hereby agree as follows:

         1. EMPLOYMENT. The Company hereby agrees to continue to employ
Executive, and Executive hereby accepts such continued employment, on the terms
and conditions hereinafter set forth.

         2. TERM. The period of employment of Executive by the Company hereunder
(the "Employment Period") shall commence on December 15, 1997 (the "Effective
Date") and shall end on June 15, 1999, unless further extended as provided in
this Section 2 or sooner terminated in the event that Executive's employment is
terminated without breach of this Agreement as provided in Section 7. On June
15, 1999 the term of Executive's employment shall be automatically extended for
one (1) additional year unless, at least thirty (30) days prior to such 15th day
of June (the "Renewal Date"), the Company shall have delivered to Executive or
Executive shall have delivered to the Company written notice that the term of
Executive's employment hereunder will not be extended.

         3. POSITION AND DUTIES. During the Employment Period, Executive shall
serve as ____________ or, prior to a Change in Control, in such similar 



                                       1
<PAGE>

position as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company may determine. Executive
shall have such responsibilities and authority as may from time to time be
assigned to Executive by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, provided
that such responsibilities and authority are consistent with Executive's
position with the Company. Executive agrees to devote substantially all his
working time and use his best efforts in the performance of his duties for the
Company.

         4. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE. In connection with Executive's employment by
the Company, Executive shall be based at the offices of the Company in
_________, or such other location to which Executive has consented, except for
required travel on the Company's business to an extent substantially consistent
with normal business travel obligations.

         5. COMPENSATION AND RELATED MATTERS.

                  (a) BASE SALARY. As compensation for the performance by
Executive of his obligations hereunder, during the Employment Period, the
Company shall pay Executive an annual base salary at a rate no less than that in
effect on the Effective Date ("Base Salary"). Base Salary shall be paid in
approximately equal installments in accordance with the Company's customary
payroll practices. Base Salary may be increased from time to time in accordance
with the normal business practices of the Company and, if so increased, shall
not thereafter during the Employment Period be decreased.

                  (b) BONUSES. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be
eligible to receive such annual bonus (the "Annual Bonus") as may be provided
pursuant to the terms of the applicable incentive plans of the Company, as such
plans may from time to time be revised prior to a Change in Control of the
Company. The Annual Bonus shall be paid in accordance with the terms of such
plans.

                  (c) EXPENSES. The Company shall promptly reimburse Executive
for all reasonable business expenses incurred during the Employment Period by
Executive in performing services hereunder, including all expenses of travel and
living expenses while away from home on business or at the request of and in the
service of the Company, provided that such expenses are incurred and accounted
for in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the Company.

                  (d) OTHER BENEFITS. Executive shall be entitled to participate
in all of the employee benefit plans and arrangements in effect, and in which
Executive participates, on the Effective Date and shall be entitled to
participate in or receive benefits under any employee benefit plan or
arrangement made available by the Company in the future to its executives and
key management employees (including without limitation each incentive plan,
pension and retirement plan and arrangement, supplemental pension and retirement
plan and arrangement, stock option plan, life insurance and health-and-accident
plan and arrangement, medical insurance plan, disability plan, survivor income
plan, relocation plan and vacation plan), subject to and on a basis consistent
with the terms, conditions and overall administration of such plans and
arrangements. Nothing paid to Executive under any plan or arrangement presently
in effect or made available in the future shall be deemed to be in lieu of the
salary payable to Executive pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section 5.

                  (e) VACATION. Executive shall be entitled to the number of
vacation days in each calendar year, and to compensation in respect of earned
but unused vacation days, determined in accordance with the Company's vacation
plan. Executive shall also be entitled to all paid holidays given by the Company
to its executives.

                  (f) SERVICES FURNISHED. During the Employment Period, the
Company shall furnish Executive with office space, stenographic assistance and
such other facilities and services as shall be suitable to Executive's 


                                       2
<PAGE>

position and adequate for the performance of his duties as set forth in Section
3 hereof.

         6. OFFICES. Subject to Sections 3 and 4 hereof, Executive agrees to
serve without additional compensation, if elected or appointed thereto, as a
director of the Company, including LFI, LFC and any of its subsidiaries, and as
a member of any committees of the board of directors of any such corporations,
and in one or more executive positions of the Company, provided that Executive
is indemnified for serving in any and all such capacities on a basis no less
favorable than is currently provided to any other director of the Company, or
any such executive position, as the case may be.

         7. TERMINATION. Executive's employment hereunder may be terminated
without any breach of this Agreement only under the circumstances set forth in
the following subsections (a), (b), (c) and (d):

                  (a) DEATH. Executive's employment hereunder shall terminate
upon his death.

                  (b) DISABILITY. If, as a result of Executive's incapacity due
to physical or mental illness, Executive shall have been absent from the
full-time performance of his duties hereunder for 180 days during any 12-month
period, and within thirty (30) days after written Notice of Termination (as
defined in Section 8 hereof) is given shall not have returned to the performance
of his duties hereunder on a full-time basis, the Company may terminate
Executive's employment hereunder for "Disability." Should there be a dispute as
to whether Executive is disabled, the Executive shall be examined by a
Company-designated physician at the Company's expense. If Executive's physician
disagrees with the conclusion of the physician designated by the Company, then
the Company's physician and Executive's physician shall select a third physician
whose findings shall be conclusive.

                  (c) CAUSE. The Company may terminate Executive's employment
hereunder for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, the Company shall have
"Cause" to terminate Executive's employment hereunder upon the occurrence of any
of the following events:

                           (i) the commission by Executive of a felony that
                  brings material disrepute to the Company; or

                           (ii) the continuing failure by Executive to
                  substantially perform his duties hereunder (other than such
                  failure resulting from Executive's incapacity due to physical
                  or mental illness or subsequent to the issuance of a Notice of
                  Termination by Executive for Good Reason) after demand for
                  substantial performance is delivered by the Company in writing
                  that specifically identifies the manner in which the Company
                  believes Executive has not substantially performed his duties;
                  or

                           (iii) misconduct by Executive (including, but not
                  limited to, breach by Executive of the provisions of Section
                  11 hereof) that is demonstrably and materially injurious to
                  the Company or its subsidiaries, whether monetarily or
                  otherwise.

                  (d) GOOD REASON. Executive may terminate his employment during
the Employment Period hereunder for "Good Reason" after the occurrence, without
the written consent of Executive, of an event constituting a material breach of
this Agreement by the Company that has not been fully cured within ten (10) days
after written notice thereof has been given by Executive to the Company,
provided that, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, within 18
months after a Change in Control, any one of the following events shall be
deemed a material breach of this Agreement:

                                       3
<PAGE>

                           (i) the assignment to Executive of any duties
                  materially inconsistent with Executive's status as an
                  executive officer of the Company or a substantial adverse
                  alteration in the nature of Executive's responsibilities from
                  those in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control;

                           (ii) a reduction by the Company in Executive's Base
                  Salary as in effect immediately prior to the Change in
                  Control;

                           (iii) the relocation of Executive's principal place
                  of employment to a location more than forty (40) miles from
                  the place of such employment immediately prior to the Change
                  in Control;

                           (iv) the failure by the Company to pay to Executive
                  any portion of Executive's current compensation or to pay to
                  Executive any portion of an installment of deferred
                  compensation under any deferred compensation program of the
                  Company within fifteen (15) days of the date such compensation
                  is due;

                           (v) the failure by the Company to provide Executive
                  with compensation plans which, in the aggregate, provide
                  Executive with substantially comparable compensation
                  opportunities to those compensation opportunities for which
                  Executive was eligible immediately prior to the Change in
                  Control;

                           (vi) the failure by the Company to continue to
                  provide Executive with benefits substantially similar in the
                  aggregate to those enjoyed by Executive under the Company's
                  pension, life insurance, medical, health and accident, or
                  disability plans in which Executive was participating at the
                  time of the Change in Control, the taking of any action by the
                  Company which would directly or indirectly materially reduce
                  such benefits in the aggregate or deprive Executive of fringe
                  benefits substantially similar in the aggregate to those
                  enjoyed by Executive at the time of the Change in Control, or
                  the failure by the Company to provide Executive with the
                  number of paid vacation days to which Executive is entitled on
                  the basis of years of service with the Company in accordance
                  with the Company's normal vacation policy in effect at the
                  time of the Change in Control;

                           (vii) any purported termination of Executive's
                  employment which is not effected pursuant to a Notice of
                  Termination satisfying the requirements of Section 8(a) or
                  that does not comply with Section 7(c), if applicable (and for
                  purposes of this Agreement, no such purported termination
                  shall be effective); or

                           (viii) the failure of a successor to the Company to
                  expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement pursuant
                  to Section 13(a) hereof.

Executive's right to terminate his employment hereunder for Good Reason shall
not be affected by his incapacity due to physical or mental illness, provided
that this sentence shall not effect the Company's rights under this section 7.
Executive's continued employment shall not constitute consent to, or a waiver of
rights with respect to, any act or failure to act constituting Good Reason
hereunder.

                                       4
<PAGE>

                  (e) DEFINITION OF CHANGE IN CONTROL. For purposes of this
Agreement, a "Change in Control" of the Company shall mean the occurrence of any
one of the following events:

                           (i) any "person" (as such term is used in Sections
                  13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
                  amended (the "Exchange Act")), other than any trustee or other
                  fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of
                  LFC or LFI, or any corporation owned, directly or indirectly,
                  by the stockholders of LFC or LFI in substantially the same
                  proportions as their ownership of stock of LFC or LFI, as the
                  case may be (a "Person"), is or becomes the "beneficial owner"
                  (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or
                  indirectly, of securities of LFC or LFI representing 50% or
                  more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding
                  securities of LFC or LFI, as the case may be;

                           (ii) during any period of two consecutive years (not
                  including any period prior to the execution of this
                  Agreement), individuals who at the beginning of such period
                  constitute the board of LFC or the board of LFI, and any new
                  director (other than a director designated by a Person who has
                  entered into an agreement with LFC or LFI to effect a
                  transaction described in clause (i), (iii) or (iv) of this
                  paragraph) whose election by the Board or the board of LFI or
                  nomination for election by LFC's or LFI's stockholders, as the
                  case may be, was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds
                  (2/3) of the directors of the board of LFC or the board of
                  LFI, as the case may be, then still in office who either were
                  directors thereof at the beginning of the period or whose
                  election or nomination for election was previously so
                  approved, cease for any reason to constitute at least a
                  majority thereof; or

                           (iii) the shareholders of LFC or LFI approve a merger
                  or consolidation of LFC or LFI with any other corporation,
                  other than (A) a merger or consolidation which would result in
                  the voting securities of LFC or LFI outstanding immediately
                  prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining
                  outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of
                  the surviving entity) more than 50% of the combined voting
                  power of the voting securities of LFC or LFI, as the case may
                  be, or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after
                  such merger or consolidation or (B) a merger or acquisition
                  effected to implement a recapitalization of LFC or LFI (or
                  similar transaction) in which no Person acquires more than 50%
                  of the then outstanding securities of LFC or LFI, as the case
                  may be; or

                           (iv) the shareholders of LFC or LFI approve a plan of
                  complete liquidation of LFC or LFI or an agreement for the
                  sale or disposition by LFC or LFI of all or substantially all
                  of LFC's or LFI's assets.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, consummation of a Company reorganization plan (1)
that results in stock of any Company being held by its existing creditors and/or
equity holders and under which no single new equity holder (or its affiliates,
as defined in the Bankruptcy Code) holds more than 50% of the voting power of
such Company; or (2) that results in the conditions set forth in Section 7(e)
(ii) being met, shall not constitute a Change in Control under this Section.

                                       5
<PAGE>

         8.       TERMINATION PROCEDURE.

                  (a) NOTICE OF TERMINATION. Any termination of Executive's
employment by the Company or by Executive (other than termination pursuant to
Section 7(a) hereof) shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination to
the other party hereto in accordance with Section 14. For purposes of this
Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" shall mean a notice which shall indicate
the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon and shall set
forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a
basis for termination of Executive's employment under the provision so
indicated.

                  (b) DATE OF TERMINATION. "Date of Termination" shall mean (i)
if Executive's employment is terminated by his death, the date of his death,
(ii) if Executive's employment is terminated pursuant to Section 7(b) above,
thirty (30) days after Notice of Termination (provided that Executive shall not
have returned to the performance of his duties on a full-time basis during such
thirty (30) day period), (iii) if Executive's employment is terminated pursuant
to Section 7(c) above, the date specified in the Notice of Termination, (iv) if
this contract is not renewed by the Renewal Date, the date 30 days after the
Renewal Date, and (v) if Executive's employment is terminated for any other
reason, the date on which a Notice of Termination is given or any later date
(within 30 days) set forth in such Notice of Termination; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that, if within thirty (30) days after any Notice of Termination is given the
party receiving such Notice of Termination notifies the other party that a
dispute exists concerning the termination, the Date of Termination shall be the
date on which the dispute is finally determined, either by mutual written
agreement of the parties, by a binding and final arbitration award or by a final
judgment, order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction (the time for
appeal therefrom having expired and no appeal having been perfected) (a "Final
Order"); PROVIDED FURTHER, HOWEVER, that the Date of Termination shall be
extended by a notice of dispute only if such notice is given in good faith and
the party giving such notice pursues the resolution of such dispute with
reasonable diligence.

                  (c) COMPENSATION DURING DISPUTE. If a purported termination
occurs on or after a Change in Control and during the Employment Period, and
such termination is disputed in accordance with subsection (b) of this Section 8
hereof, the Company shall continue to pay Executive the full compensation in
effect when the notice giving rise to the dispute was given (including, but not
limited to, salary) and continue Executive as a participant in all compensation,
benefit and insurance plans in which Executive was participating when the notice
giving rise to the dispute was given, until the Date of Termination, determined
in accordance with subsection (b) of this Section 8. Amounts paid under this
Section 8(c) shall be offset against or reduce any other amounts due under this
Agreement. In addition, Executive shall repay any amounts paid under this
Section 8(c) if it is determined by a Final Order that such Employee was
properly terminated for Cause.

         9.       COMPENSATION UPON TERMINATION OR DURING DISABILITY.

                  (a) DISABILITY; DEATH. During any period that Executive fails
to perform his duties hereunder as a result of incapacity due to physical or
mental illness ("Disability Period"), Executive shall continue to receive his
full Base Salary at the rate in effect at the beginning of such period, less all
compensation payable to Executive under any Company-funded disability plan, if
any, as in effect during such period, until his employment is terminated
pursuant to Section 7(b). Subsequent to the termination of Executive's
employment pursuant to Section 7(b), or in the event Executive's employment is
terminated by reason of his death, the Company shall have no further obligations
to Executive under this Agreement and Executive's benefits shall be determined
under the Company's retirement, insurance and other compensation programs then
in effect in accordance with the terms of such programs.

                  (b) BY COMPANY WITHOUT CAUSE OR BY EXECUTIVE FOR GOOD REASON.
If during the Employment Period Executive's employment is terminated by the


                                       6
<PAGE>

Company other than for Cause or Disability or by Executive for Good Reason, or
if this contract is not renewed by the Renewal Date, then --

                           (i) in addition to any amounts due Executive pursuant
                  to Sections 5(a) or 5(b) hereof, the Company shall pay
                  Executive (or his legal representatives or estate) an amount,
                  in cash, equal to one and one-half (1-1/2) times his Base
                  Salary as in effect on the Date of Termination in equal
                  monthly installments over an eighteen (18) month period;
                  provided, however, that after nine (9) months after the Date
                  of Termination, Executive shall make reasonable efforts to
                  seek other employment; provided, further, however, that
                  Executive will not be required to accept a position of
                  substantially different character than the highest position
                  held by such Executive with the Company or a position that
                  would cause such Executive to violate Section 11(b) hereof,
                  nor will Executive be required to accept a position in a
                  location that is unreasonable given the personal circumstances
                  of the Executive. To the extent that the Executive shall
                  receive compensation and benefits from such other employment,
                  whether as an employee, consultant, independent contractor,
                  owner or otherwise, (together, "Other Employment") the
                  payments to be made and the benefits provided by the Company
                  under this Section 9(b) (i) for the period beginning nine (9)
                  months after termination of employment hereof shall be
                  correspondingly reduced. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if on
                  or after a Change in Control, a termination of the type
                  referred to in this section 9(b) occurs, or if this contract
                  is not renewed for an additional period of at least 18 months
                  at least 30 days prior to the expiration of the original or
                  extended term of this contract, as applicable, then the
                  Company shall pay to Executive a lump sum amount, in cash,
                  equal to one and one-half (1-1/2) times the sum of Base Salary
                  (at the rate in effect immediately prior to the occurrence of
                  the circumstance giving rise to the Notice of Termination) and
                  such amount shall not be reduced by any amounts Executive
                  shall receive from Other Employment; and provided further

                           (ii) the Company shall maintain in full force and
                  effect, for the continued benefit of Executive and his
                  dependents for the remainder of the Employment Period, all
                  employee welfare benefit plans and programs in which Executive
                  was entitled to participate immediately prior to the Date of
                  Termination, provided that Executive's continued participation
                  is possible under the general terms and provisions of such
                  plans and programs. In the event that Executive's
                  participation in any such plan or program is barred, the
                  Company shall arrange to provide Executive and his dependents
                  with benefits substantially similar to those which Executive
                  and his dependents would otherwise have been entitled to
                  receive under such plans and programs from which their
                  continued participation is barred. This paragraph is qualified
                  by Section 10.

                           (iii) in determining the retirement benefits to which
                  Executive is entitled under the Company's Supplemental
                  Executive Retirement Plan (the "SERP"), Executive shall be
                  deemed to have accumulated (after the Date of Termination)
                  thirty-six (36) additional months of service credit thereunder
                  at Executive's highest annual rate of compensation during the
                  twelve (12) months immediately preceding the Date of
                  Termination ("Additional Service Credit") and shall be deemed
                  to be thirty-six (36) months older than his age on the Date of
                  Termination ("Additional 


                                       7
<PAGE>

                  Age Credit"). If, after taking into account such Additional
                  Age Credit, Executive is not entitled to receive a benefit
                  under the SERP but is deemed to be at least 50 years of age,
                  Executive shall nevertheless be entitled to receive his
                  accrued benefit thereunder (as increased pursuant to this
                  Section 9(b) (iii)) ("Vested Benefit"). Executive shall be
                  entitled to commence receipt of his benefit under this
                  paragraph (iii) on the first day of the month following the
                  expiration of the Employment Period; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
                  if Executive elects to commence payments of such benefit prior
                  to his attainment of age 55, his annual benefit (as increased
                  hereunder) shall be reduced by 3% for each year that his
                  actual age is less than 55 years. Notwithstanding the
                  foregoing, if Executive's termination occurs on or after a
                  Change in Control, the Company shall pay Executive, in lieu of
                  the additional periodic payments described hereinabove, a lump
                  sum amount, in cash, equal to the actuarial equivalent of the
                  excess of (i) the retirement pension (determined as straight
                  lift annuity commencing at Normal Retirement Age) to which
                  Executive would be entitled under the terms of the SERP
                  (without regard to any amendment to the SERP made subsequent
                  to a Change in Control and on or prior to the Date of
                  Termination, which amendment adversely affects in any manner
                  the computation of retirement benefits thereunder), taking
                  into account Executive's Additional Service Credit, Additional
                  Age Credit and Vested Benefit, over (ii) the retirement
                  pension (determined as a straight lift annuity commencing at
                  Normal Retirement Age) to which Executive would be entitled
                  pursuant to the provisions of the SERP. For purposes of this
                  Section 9(b) (iii), "actuarial equivalent" shall be determined
                  using the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation rates for
                  immediate annuities for the month in which the Date of
                  Termination occurs.

                           Notwithstanding the foregoing, by entering into the
                  Agreement, the Company is not assuming any Executive's SERP,
                  nor granting any rights to administrative priority to any
                  employee with respect to his or her SERP, which rights shall
                  be unaffected by the execution of such Agreement, and
                  Executive so acknowledges and agrees. Without limiting the
                  foregoing, the Company reserves the right to seek assumption
                  of the SERP, and/or administrative priority for or allowance
                  of the claims arising under the SERP. Similarly, Executive
                  reserves the right to move for assumption of the SERP, or seek
                  administrative priority and/or allowance of the claims arising
                  thereunder. In addition, the official Creditors' Committee
                  reserves the right to oppose assumption of the SERP, seek
                  rejection or termination of the SERP, and/or oppose the amount
                  of priority of any claims arising under the SERP.

                  (c) BY COMPANY FOR CAUSE OR BY EXECUTIVE OTHER THAN FOR GOOD
REASON. If Executive's employment shall be terminated by the Company for Cause
or by Executive other than for Good Reason, then the Company shall pay Executive
his Base Salary (at the rate in effect at the time Notice of Termination is
given) through the Date of Termination, and the Company shall have no additional
obligations to Executive under this Agreement except as set forth in subsection
(d) of this Section 9.

                  (d) COMPENSATION PLANS. Following any termination of
Executive's employment, the Company shall pay Executive all unpaid amounts, if
any, to any, to which Executive is entitled as of the Date of Termination under
any compensation plan or program of the Company, at the time such payments are
due.

                                       8
<PAGE>

                  (e)      CONTINGENT LIMITATION.

                           (i) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this
                  Agreement, in the event that any payment or benefit received
                  or to be received by Executive in connection with a Change in
                  Control or the termination of Executive's employment (whether
                  pursuant to the terms of this Agreement (the "Severance
                  Payments") or any other plan, arrangement or agreement with
                  the Company, any Person whose actions result in a Change in
                  Control or any Person affiliated with the Company or such
                  Person) (all such payments and benefits, including the
                  Severance Payments, being hereinafter called "Total Payments")
                  would be subject (in whole or part) to the excise tax ("Excise
                  Tax") imposed under section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code
                  of 1986, as amended (the "Code") as determined by the
                  Company's independent accountant, then the Severance Payments
                  shall be reduced to the extent necessary so that no portion of
                  the Total Payments is subject to the Excise Tax (after taking
                  into account any reduction in the Total Payments provided by
                  reason of section 280G of the Code in such other plan,
                  arrangement or agreement); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such
                  reduction shall be made only if (A) the net amount of such
                  Total Payments, as so reduced (and after deduction of the net
                  amount of federal, state and local income tax on such reduced
                  Total Payments), is greater than (B) the net amount of such
                  Total Payments, without reduction (but after deduction of the
                  net amount of federal, state and local income tax and Excise
                  Tax on such Total Payments).

                           (ii) For purposes of determining whether any of the
                  Total Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax and the
                  amount of such Excise Tax, (A) no portion of the Total
                  Payments the receipt or enjoyment of which Executive shall
                  have effectively waived in writing prior to the Date of
                  Termination shall be taken into account, (B) no portion of the
                  Total Payments shall be taken into account which in the
                  opinion of tax counsel selected by the Company does not
                  constitute a "parachute payment" within the meaning of section
                  280G(b) (2) of the Code (including by reason of section
                  280G(b) (4) (A) of the Code) and, in calculating the Excise
                  Tax, no portion of such Total Payments shall be taken into
                  account which constitutes reasonable compensation for services
                  actually rendered (within the meaning of section 280G(b) (4)
                  (B) of the Code) in excess of the Base Amount allocable to
                  such reasonable compensation, and (C) the value of any noncash
                  benefit or any deferred payment or benefit included in the
                  Total Payments shall be determined by the Company in
                  accordance with the principles of sections 280G(d) (3) and (4)
                  of the Code. For purposes of determining the amount of the
                  deductions for income tax described in clauses (A) and (B) of
                  paragraph (i) of this Section 9(e), Executive shall be deemed
                  to pay federal income taxes at the highest marginal rate of
                  federal income taxation in the calendar year in which occurs
                  the Date of Termination and state and local income taxes at
                  the highest marginal rate of taxation in the state and
                  locality of Executive's residence on the Date of Termination,
                  net of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes which
                  could be obtained from deduction of such state and local
                  taxes.

                           (iii) Prior to the payment date set fourth in Section
                  9(f), the Company shall provide Executive with its calculation
                  of the amounts referred to in this Section 9(e) and such
                  supporting materials as are reasonably necessary 


                                       9
<PAGE>

                  for Executive to evaluate the Company's calculations. If
                  Executive objects to the Company's calculations, the Company
                  shall pay to Executive such portion of the Severance Payments
                  (up to 100% thereof) as Executive determines is necessary to
                  result in Executive's receiving the greater of clauses (A) and
                  (B) of paragraph (i) of this Section 9(e).

                  (f) TIME OF PAYMENTS. The lump sum payments provided for in
Section 9(b) shall be made not later than the fifth business day following the
Date of Termination, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the amount of such payments, and
the contingent limitation on such payments set forth in Section 9(e) cannot be
finally determined on or before such day, the Company shall pay Executive on
such day an estimate, as determined in good faith by the Company, of the minimum
amount of such payments and shall pay the remainder of such payments (together
with interest at the rate provided in Section 1274(b) (2) (B) of the Code) as
soon as the amount thereof can be determined but in no event later than the
thirtieth day after the Date of Termination. In the event that the amount of the
estimated payments exceeds the amount subsequently determined to have been due,
such excess shall constitute a loan by the Company to Executive, payable on the
fifth business day after demand by the Company (together with interest at the
rate provided in section 1274(b) (2) (B) of the Code).

         10. MITIGATION. Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount
of any payment provided for Executive by seeking other employment or otherwise,
nor shall the amount of any payment or benefit provided for Executive hereunder
be reduced by any compensation earned by Executive as the result of employment
by another employer, by retirement benefits, by offset against any amount
claimed to be owed by Executive to the Company, or otherwise except as is
hereinafter specifically provided in Section 9(b) (i) and this Section 10. To
the extent that Executive, during the relevant period described in Section 9(b)
(ii) hereof, shall receive from a subsequent employer benefits similar to those
to be provided under Section 9(b) (ii), the benefits to be provided under the
provisions of said Section 9(b) (ii) shall be correspondingly reduced. If the
Date of Termination shall occur prior to a Change in Control, the benefits to be
provided under Section 9(b) (i) hereof shall also be reduced to the extent of
any salary to which Executive becomes entitled from any subsequent employer for
the period beginning nine (9) months after the Date of Termination.

         11. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION; NONCOMPETITION REQUIREMENT.

                  (a) CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. Executive shall hold in a
fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company all trade secrets,
confidential information, and knowledge or data relating to the Company and its
businesses, which shall have been obtained by Executive during Executive's
employment by the Company and which shall not have been or now or hereafter have
become public knowledge (other than by acts by Executive or representatives of
Executive in violation of this Agreement). Executive shall not, without the
prior written consent of the Company or as may otherwise be required by law or
legal process, communicate or divulge any such trade secrets, information,
knowledge or data to anyone other than the Company and those designated by the
Company. Any termination of Executive's employment or of this Agreement shall
have no effect on the continuing operation of this Section 11(a).

                  (b) NONCOMPETITION REQUIREMENT. During any period that
Executive is performing services hereunder or Executive is entitled to payment
pursuant to Section 9(b) (i), and for a period of one (1) year following a
termination of Executive's employment by the Company for Cause or by Executive
other than for Good Reason, Executive agrees that, without the prior written
consent of the Company, he shall not, directly or indirectly, with or without
pay, either as an employee, employer, consultant, agent, principal, partner,
stockholder, corporate officer, director, manager, investor, lender, advisor,
owner, associate or in any other individual or representative capacity, engage


                                       10
<PAGE>

or participate in any business that is in competition in any manner whatsoever
("Competitive Business") with any of the Company's retail stores unless such
Competitive Business is located more than fifty (50) miles from the site, as of
the Date of Termination, of any such retail store of the Company; PROVIDED,
however, that the noncompetition requirement of this Section 11(b) shall be
limited to six months after the Date of Termination if Executive's employment is
terminated on or after a Change in Control.

                  (c) INJUNCTIVE RELIEF. In the event of a breach or threatened
breach of this Section 11, Executive agrees that the Company shall be entitled
to injunctive relief in a court of appropriate jurisdiction to remedy any such
breach or threatened breach, Executive acknowledging that damages would be
inadequate and insufficient.

         12. INDEMNIFICATION; LEGAL FEES. The Company shall indemnify Executive
to the full extent permitted by law and the by-laws of the Company for all
expenses, costs, liabilities and legal fees which Executive may incur in the
discharge of his duties hereunder, including any legal fees and expenses
incurred by Executive in contesting or disputing any termination of the
Executive's employment or in seeking to obtain or enforce any right or benefit
provided by this Agreement or in connection with any tax audit or proceeding to
the extent attributable to the application of Section 4999 of the Code to any
payment or benefit provided hereunder) other than for any such expenses, costs,
liabilities or legal fees incurred as a result of Executive's bad faith or gross
negligence. In the event that it is determined by a Final Order that Executive's
contest or dispute of his termination was frivolous, Executive shall repay all
legal fees previously paid by the Company to Executive's counsel for work done
to contest or dispute such termination. Payments due to Executive under this
section shall be made at the later of the time specified in Section 9(f), or
within five (5) days after Executive's request for payment accompanied with such
evidence of fees and expenses incurred as the Company reasonably may require.
Any termination of Executive's employment or of this Agreement shall have no
effect on the continuing operation of this Section 12.

         13. SUCCESSORS; BINDING AGREEMENT.

                  (a) COMPANY'S SUCCESSORS. The Company will require any
successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or
otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the
Company to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same
manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it
if no such succession had taken place. Failure of the Company to obtain such
assumption and agreement prior to the effectiveness of any such succession shall
be a breach of this Agreement and shall entitle Executive to compensation from
the Company in the same amount and on the same terms as he would be entitled to
hereunder if he terminated his employment for Good Reason, except that for
purposes of implementing the foregoing, the date on which any such succession
becomes effective shall be deemed the Date of Termination. As used in this
Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company as herein before defined and any
successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which executes and delivers
the agreement provided for in this Section 13 or which otherwise becomes bound
by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement by operation of law.

                  (b) EXECUTIVE'S SUCCESSORS. This Agreement and all rights of
Executive hereunder shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by
Executive's personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators,
successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. If Executive should die
while any amounts would still be payable to him hereunder if he had continued to
live, all such amounts unless otherwise provided herein shall be paid in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement to Executive's devisee, legatee, or
other designee or, if there be no such designee, to Executive's estate.

                                       11
<PAGE>

         14. NOTICE. For the purposes of this Agreement, notices, demands and
all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and
shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or (unless otherwise
specified) mailed by United States certified or registered mail, return receipt
requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

         If to Executive:





         If to the Company:

         Levitz Furniture Corporation
         6111 Broken Sound Parkway, N.W.
         Boca Raton, Florida  33487-2799
         Attention:  General Counsel

or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the others in
writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall
be effective only upon receipt.

         15. MISCELLANEOUS. No provision of this Agreement may be modified,
waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to
in writing signed by Executive and such officer of the Company, as may be
specifically designated by the Board or its compensation committee. No waiver by
either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or
compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by
such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or
conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. No agreements or
representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the
subject matter hereof have been made by either party which are not set forth
expressly in this Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding on all successors
to the Company. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of
this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Florida without
regard to its conflicts of law principles. All references to sections of the
Exchange Act or the Code shall be deemed also to refer to any successor
provisions to such sections. Any payments provided for hereunder shall be paid
net of any applicable withholding required under federal, state or local law.
The obligations of the parties under Section 9 shall survive the expiration of
the term of this Agreement. The compensation and benefits payable to Executive
under this Agreement shall be in lieu of any other severance benefits to which
Executive may otherwise be entitled upon his termination of employment under any
severance plan, program, policy or arrangement of the Company.

         16. VALIDITY. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or
provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of
any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and
effect.

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

         18. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement of
the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and
supersedes all prior agreements, promises, covenants, arrangements,
communications, representations or warranties, whether oral or written, by any
officer, employee or representative of any party hereto; and any prior agreement
of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein is
hereby terminated and cancelled.

                                       12
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the
date first above written.

                           LEVITZ FURNITURE INCORPORATED

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

                           LEVITZ FURNITURE CORPORATION

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

                           LEVITZ FURNITURE REALTY CORPORATION

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

                           LEVITZ SHOPPING SERVICES, INC.

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

                           LEVITZ FURNITURE COMPANY OF
                           THE MIDWEST, INC.

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

                           LEVITZ FURNITURE COMPANY OF
                           THE PACIFIC, INC.

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

                           LEVITZ FURNITURE COMPANY OF
                           WASHINGTON, INC.

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



                                       13
<PAGE>

                           LEVITZ FURNITURE COMPANY OF THE
                           MIDWEST REALTY, INC.

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

                           LEVITZ FURNITURE OF THE PACIFIC
                           REALTY, INC.

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

                          LEVITZ FURNITURE OF WASHINGTON
                          REALTY, INC.

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

                           JOHN M. SMYTH COMPANY

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

                           JOHN M. SMYTH REALTY COMPANY

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



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

                                       14