<PAGE>   1
                                                                

                        
          
                                                             EXHIBIT 10.6
                                 LINE OF CREDIT                  

                         CREDIT AND SECURITY AGREEMENT


         THIS LINE OF CREDIT CREDIT AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (as it may be 
modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, this "Agreement") is made
and entered into as of May 21, 1997 between CRESCENT REAL ESTATE EQUITIES
LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a Delaware limited partnership (the "Lender"), and
CRESCENT OPERATING, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower").

                                    RECITALS

         WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Lender extend a credit 
facility (the "Loan") in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $20,400,000
for the purpose of permitting the Borrower to make certain investments
identified herein;

         WHEREAS, the Lender is willing to extend the Loan for such purpose on 
the terms and conditions set forth herein;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the 
agreements, covenants and conditions contained herein, and for other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

                                  ARTICLE I
                                 DEFINITIONS


SECTION 1.1    Definitions,

     (a)       The following terms which are defined in the Uniform Commercial 
               Code in effect in the State of Texas on the date hereof are used
               herein as so defined: Accounts, Chattel Paper, Documents,
               Equipment, Farm Products, General Intangibles, Instruments,
               Inventory and Proceeds.

     (b)       The following terms, as used herein, have the following meanings:

     "Agreement" has the meaning set forth in the initial paragraph hereof.
     
     "Application for Advance" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a) 
hereof.




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<PAGE>   2

     "Bankruptcy Event of Default" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.

     "Borrower" means Crescent Operating, Inc., and its permitted successors and
assigns.

     "Business Day" means any day except a Saturday, Sunday, or other day on 
which commercial banks in Texas are authorized by law to close.

     "Cash Equivalents" means (a) securities with maturities of one year or less
from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed or insured by the
United States Government or any agency thereof, (b) certificates of deposit and
eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of
acquisition and overnight bank deposits of any commercial bank having capital
and surplus in excess of $500,000,000, (c) repurchase obligations of any
commercial bank or investment bank satisfying the requirements of clause (b) of
this definition, having a term of not more than 30 days with respect to
securities issued or fully guaranteed or insured by the United States
Government or any agency thereof, (d) commercial paper issued in the United
States which is rated at least A-2 by Standard and Poor's Services or P-2 by
Moody's Investors Service, (e) securities with maturities of one year or less
from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state,
commonwealth or territory of the United States, by any political subdivision or
taxing authority of any such state, commonwealth or territory or by any foreign
government, the securities of which state, commonwealth, territory, political
subdivision, taxing authority or foreign government are rated at least A by
Standard and Poor's Services or A by Moody's Investors Service, (f) securities
with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition backed by
standby letters of credit issued by any commercial bank satisfying the
requirements of clause (b) of this definition, or (g) shares of money market
mutual or similar funds which invest substantially exclusively in assets
satisfying the requirements of clauses (a) through (f) of this definition.

     "Closing Date" means the date this Agreement becomes effective in 
accordance with Section 3.1, and each other date on which an advance is
made by the Lender to the Borrower.

     "Code" means the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in 
the State of Texas.

     "Collateral" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.

     "Collateral Account" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.

     "Consolidated Net Income" or "Consolidated Net Loss" for any fiscal period,
means the amount which, in conformity with GAAP, would be set forth
opposite the caption "net income" (or any like caption), as the case may
be, on a consolidated statement of earnings of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, if any, for such fiscal period.




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     "Debt" of any Person means at any date, (i) all obligations of such Person 
which in accordance with GAAP would be classified on a balance sheet of such
Person as liabilities of such Person ("debt"), (ii) all debt of others secured
by a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such debt is assumed by
such Person, and (iii) all debt of others guaranteed by such Person.

     "Default" means any condition or event which constitutes an Event of 
Default or which with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would,
unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

     "Default Rate" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(b).

     "EBITDA" means for any fiscal period, the Consolidated Net Income or
Consolidated Net Loss, as the case may be, for such fiscal period, after
restoring thereto amounts deducted for (a) extraordinary losses (or deducting
therefrom any amounts included therein on account of extraordinary gains) and
special charges, (b) depreciation and amortization (including write-offs or
write-downs) and special charges, (c) the amount of interest expense of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries, if any, determined on a consolidated basis in
accordance with GAAP, for such period on the aggregate principal amount of
their consolidated indebtedness, (d) the amount of tax expense of the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries, if any, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance
with GAAP, for such period and (e) the aggregate amount of fixed and contingent
rentals payable by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, if any, determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, for such period with respect to
leases of real and personal property.

     "Event of Default" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.

     "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in effect from time 
to time.

     "Interest Rate" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a).

     "Internal Revenue Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as 
amended, or any successor statute.

     "Lender" means Crescent Real Estate Equities Limited Partnership, a 
Delaware limited partnership, and its successors and assigns.

     "Lien" means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, deed of trust, lien
pledge, charge, security interest, or encumbrance of any kind in respect of
such asset.

     "Loan" has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.



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     "Loan" Commitment" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

     "Loan" Documents" means this Agreement, the Note, the Pledge Agreement and
all other documents, agreements, and instruments referred to in or required to
be delivered or actually delivered in connection herewith or therewith, as any
of them may be modified, supplemented, or amended from time to time.

     "Material Debt" means Debt (other than the Note) of the Borrower, arising 
in one or more related or unrelated transactions, in an aggregate
principal amount exceeding $50,000.

   
     "Maturity Date" means the later to occur of (a) May 21, 2002 or (b) the 
fifth anniversary of the date of the last Application for Advance funded
by the Lender hereunder; provided, however, that in no event shall the Maturity
Date be later than June 22, 2007.
    

     "Note" means the promissory note of the Borrower payable to the order of 
the Lender under the terms of this Agreement, as the same may be modified,
supplemented, or amended from time to time, and any note or notes issued in
substitution or replacement therefor or in addition thereto, substantially in
the form of Exhibit B hereto, in the maximum principal amount from time to time
outstanding of up to Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000.00), evidencing the
obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loan, as modified, supplemented or
amended from time to time.

     "Person" means an individual, a corporation, a partnership, an association,
a trust or any other entity or organization, including a government or
political subdivision or any agency or instrumentality thereof.

     "Pledge Agreement" means the Pledge Agreement dated May 8, 1997 executed 
and delivered by the Borrower, as the same may be amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time.

     "Secured Obligations" means the collective reference to the unpaid
principal of and interest on the Note and all other obligations and liabilities
of the Borrower to the Lender whether direct or indirect, absolute or
contingent, due or to become due, or now existing or hereafter incurred, which
may arise under, out of, or in connection with, this Agreement, the Note, the
Pledge Agreement or any other document, made, delivered or given in connection
therewith, in each case whether on account of principal, interest reimbursement
obligations, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses or otherwise.

     "Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, 
association, partnership or other business entity of which such Person owns
directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries 50% or more of the
voting stock, partnership interests or other interests thereof or which is
controlled or capable of being controlled, directly or indirectly, by that
Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination
thereof.
     




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     "Term Loan Credit and Security Agreement" means the Credit and Security 
Agreement dated as of May 8, 1997 between the Borrower and the Lender, as such
agreement may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

     "Termination Date" shall mean the date 95 days from the date upon which the
"Loan" has been satisfied in full.

SECTION 1.2    Rules of Construction.

     (a)  Words of the masculine gender shall be deemed and construed to include
          correlative words of the feminine and neuter genders. Unless the
          context shall otherwise indicate, words importing the singular number
          shall include the plural and vice versa.

     (b)  Reference to a section number, such as this Section 1.2, shall mean 
          and include all provisions within that section of this Agreement,
          unless a particular subsection, paragraph or subparagraph is
          specified. 

     (c)  Unless otherwise specified herein, all accounting terms used herein 
          shall be interpreted, all accounting determinations hereunder shall
          be made, and all financial statements required to be delivered
          hereunder shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP as in effect from
          time to time, except as otherwise specified herein, applied on a
          basis consistent (except for changes concurred in by the Borrower's
          independent public accountants) with the most recent audited
          consolidated financial statements of the Borrower delivered to the
          Lender.

                                   ARTICLE II
                   COMMITMENT, ADVANCE PROCEDURE, AND NOTES


SECTION 2.1    Commitment and Advance Procedure.

     (a)  The Lender agrees, on and subject to the terms and conditions set 
          forth in this Agreement, to make advances to the Borrower during the
          term hereof ((each, an "Advance") each such Advance to be a minimum
          amount of $1,000,000.00), not more than once per month, up to an
          aggregate amount of Twenty Million Four Hundred Thousand Dollars 
          ($20,400,000.00) (the "Loan Commitment"), following the Lender's
          receipt of a written request from the Borrower made to the Lender in
          the form set forth in Exhibit A hereto (an "Application for Advance"),
          and delivered in accordance with this Section 2.1 and Section 8.1
          hereof.






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     (b)  Within the limits of this Section 2.1, during the term hereof, the 
          Borrower may borrow, repay, and reborrow in accordance with the terms
          and conditions of this Agreement.

     (c)  For each Advance, the Borrower shall provide the Lender with an 
          Application for Advance, specifying (i) the amount of the Advance
          requested, and (ii) the requested date of such Advance (which shall
          be at least that number of Business Days after delivery of such
          Application for Advance as specified in (e) below). 

     (d)  Notwithstanding any provision hereof to the contrary, the Lender
          shall have no obligation at any time to make any Advances to the
          Borrower hereunder unless, on the date of the Lender's receipt of a
          properly completed and executed Application for Advance, the Borrower
          shall have certified to the Lender in writing that the Borrower is
          not in Default hereunder.

     (e)  The Lender shall have the obligation to make an advance in accordance
          with the provisions hereof, including the provisions of this Section
          2.1, within five (5) Business Days after its receipt of a properly
          completed and executed Application for Advance that, together with
          all other advances and Applications for Advance, requests advances
          totaling no more than the Loan Commitment.

   
     (f)  The Borrower shall have the right to make requests for Advances
          during the period beginning on the date hereof and continuing through
          June 15, 2002. The Lender shall have no obligation to fund any 
          Applications for Advance submitted after such date.

    
SECTION 2.2    The Note.

     (a)  The Loan will be evidenced by the Note.  Payments under the Note shall
          be applied first to any fees, costs or expenses due under the Note or
          hereunder, then to interest, and then to principal.

     (b)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, all outstanding
          principal and interest of the Loan and all other amounts payable
          hereunder, if not sooner paid, shall be due and payable on the
          Maturity Date.

SECTION 2.3    Interest Rate and Payments.

     (a)  Unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the
          Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof
          until paid in full, at a rate per annum equal to Twelve Percent (12%)
          (the "Interest Rate").

     (b)  Upon and after an Event of Default, the Loan shall accrue interest on
          the outstanding principal balance of the Loan and, to the extent
          permitted by applicable law, on the unpaid interest, at a rate per
          annum equal to the Interest 





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          Rate plus an additional 5.0% per annum (the "Default Rate"), provided
          that in no event shall the Default Rate exceed the maximum rate of
          interest permitted by applicable law.

     (c)  Interest shall be due during the term hereof on the first Business Day
          of each August, November, February and May, or such other date as the
          Borrower and the Lender may mutually agree in writing. 

     (d)  Notwithstanding Section 2.3(c), if the sum of (i) the amount of
          interest to be paid by the Borrower to the Lender pursuant to this
          Agreement and (ii) the amount of principal and interest to be paid by
          the Borrower to the Lender pursuant to the Term Loan Credit and
          Security Agreement, exceeds the amount of EBITDA of the Borrower for
          the immediately preceding calendar quarter (ending the last day of
          September, December, March, or June), the Borrower shall not be
          obligated to repay the amount of interest otherwise due pursuant to
          the terms hereof in excess of the amount of EBITDA of the Borrower
          for the immediately preceding calendar quarter.

     (e)  Accrued interest not paid when due shall be compounded quarterly and 
          added to the outstanding principal amount of the Loan.

     (f)  On the Maturity Date, the Borrower shall repay in full all accrued but
          unpaid interest and the entire unpaid principal amount of the Loan.

SECTION 2.4    General Provisions as to Payments.

     The Borrower shall make each payment of principal of, and interest on, the
Loan not later than 11:00 A.M. Fort Worth, Texas time on the date when due, to
the Lender at the Lender's office at 777 Main Street, Suite 2100, Fort Worth,
Texas 76102 in same day or other immediately available funds. Whenever any
payment of principal of, or interest on, any Loan shall be due on a day which
is not a Business Day, the date for payment thereof shall be extended to the
next succeeding Business Day. If the date for any payment of principal is
extended by operation of law or otherwise, interest thereon shall be payable
for such extended time. All such payments shall be made without setoff or
counterclaim and without reduction for, and free from, any and all present or
future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, fees, charges, deductions, withholdings,
restrictions or conditions of any nature imposed by any government or political
subdivision or taking authority thereof (but excluding any taxes imposed on or
measured by the overall net income of the Lender).




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SECTION 2.5    Computation of Interest.

     All interest shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and paid
for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day, but excluding
the last day).


SECTION 2.6    Use of Proceeds.

   
     The proceeds of the Loan shall be used solely to enable the Borrower to
invest in (i) Moody-Day, Inc., Dallas Basketball Limited, Hicks Muse Tate & 
Furst Equity Fund II, LP, Charter Behavioral Health Systems, LLC (including 
the satisfaction of obligations to make ongoing investments in such entities),
and (ii) such other investments as the Lender may consent to in writing, which
consent may be withheld in the Lender's sole discretion.
    

SECTION 2.7    Evidence of Debt.

     (a)  The Lender shall record (i) the amount of each Advance made hereunder,
          (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to
          become due and payable from the Borrower to the Lender hereunder and
          (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Lender hereunder from the
          Borrower.

     (b)  The entries recorded by the Lender shall, to the extent permitted by 
          applicable law, be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts
          of the obligations of the Borrower therein recorded; provided,
          however, that the failure of the Lender to record or any error in any
          record shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower
          to repay (with applicable interest) the Loans made to such Borrower
          in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

                                  ARTICLE III
                            CONDITIONS TO BORROWING

SECTION 3.1    Conditions to Effectiveness and Further Borrowings.

     (a)  This Agreement shall become effective on the date that each of the 
          conditions set forth below shall have been satisfied (or waived in
          accordance with Section 8.3):

          (i)    The Lender shall have received this Agreement, duly executed
                 by the Borrower;

          (ii)   The Lender shall have received from the Borrower a certificate 
                 that each of the representations and warranties of the Borrower
                 contained in this Agreement is true, correct, and complete as
                 of the Closing Date;


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<PAGE>   9

          (iii)     The Lender shall have received a duly executed Note dated as
                    of the Closing Date; 

          (iv)      The Lender shall have received a duly executed Pledge 
                    Agreement dated as of the Closing Date and such other
                    documents relating to the Pledge Agreement as reasonably
                    required by the Lender;

          (v)       The Lender shall have received proper financing statements 
                    (Forms UCC-1 or the appropriate equivalent) necessary to
                    perfect the security interest in the Borrower's interest in
                    the Collateral (or such part thereof in which a security
                    interest can be perfected thereby);

          (vi)      The Lender shall have received the following: (A) the 
                    articles of incorporation of the Borrower as in effect on
                    the Closing Date, certified as of a recent date by the
                    Secretary of State of Delaware, (B) the bylaws of the
                    Borrower as in effect on the Closing Date, certified as of
                    a recent date by the Secretary of the Borrower, (C)
                    resolutions of the board of directors of the Borrower
                    authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this
                    Agreement, certified as of the Closing Date by its
                    corporate secretary, (D) certificates as to the incumbency
                    of the officers of the Borrower, certified by its corporate
                    secretary, and (E) certificates of good standing of the
                    Borrower issued as of a recent date by the Secretary of
                    State of Delaware; and

          (vii)     No event, which, after execution of this Agreement, would 
                    constitute an Event of Default hereunder shall have
                    occurred and be continuing.

     (b)  As of any other Closing Date, each of the conditions set forth below 
          shall have been satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 8.3):

          (i)       The Lender shall have received from the Borrower a
                    certificate that each of the representations and warranties
                    of the Borrower contained in this Agreement is true,
                    correct and complete as of the Closing Date;

          (ii)      The Lender shall have received a certificate in the form of
                    Exhibit C hereto enclosing the following: (A) a
                    representation that there has been no change in the
                    articles of incorporation of the Borrower since the Closing
                    Date, or if changes have occurred since the Closing Date,
                    the articles of incorporation of the Borrower as in effect,
                    certified as of a recent date by the Secretary of State of
                    Delaware, (B) a representation that there has been no
                    change in the bylaws of the Borrower since the Closing
                    Date, or if changes have occurred since the Closing Date,


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                    the bylaws of the Borrower as in effect, certified as of a
                    recent date by the Secretary of the Borrower, (C)
                    resolutions of the board of directors of the Borrower
                    authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the
                    Application for Advance, certified as of the Closing Date
                    by its corporate secretary, (D) certificates as to the
                    incumbency of the officers of the Borrower, certified by
                    its corporate secretary, and (E) certificates of good
                    standing of the Borrower issued as of a recent date by the
                    Secretary of State of Delaware; and

          (iii)     No event which constitutes an Event of Default hereunder 
                    shall have occurred and be continuing.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                               SECURITY INTEREST

SECTION 4.1    Grant of Security Interest.

     (a)  As security for the prompt payment, performance, and observance in 
          full of the Loan, the Borrower hereby pledges and assigns to the
          Lender, and grants to the Lender a continuing security interest in
          and lien on all of the following property now owned or at any time
          hereafter acquired by the Borrower or in which the Borrower now has
          or at any time in the future may acquire any right, title or interest
          (the "Collateral"):

          (i)       all Accounts;

          (ii)      all Chattel Paper;

          (iii)     all Documents;

          (iv)      all Equipment;

          (v)       all General Intangibles;

          (vi)      all Instruments;

          (vii)     all Inventory;

          (viii)    all books and recordings pertaining to the Collateral; and

          (ix)      to the extent not otherwise included, all Proceeds and
                    products of any of the foregoing, in any form (whether cash
                    or non-cash) and all collateral security and guarantees
                    given by any Person with respect to any of the foregoing.



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SECTION 4.2    Collateral Account

     (a)  Establishment of Collateral Account.  Upon the execution hereof, there
          shall be established and at all times thereafter there shall be
          maintained by the Borrower, a non-interest bearing cash collateral
          account with a financial institution approved by the Lender (the
          "Collateral Account") subject to the terms of this Agreement.

     (b)  Rights, Title and Interest of Collateral Account.  All right, title 
          and interest in and to the Collateral Account shall vest exclusively
          in the Lender. The Borrower shall have no rights with respect to the
          Collateral Account and the Lender shall have sole dominion and
          control over the Collateral Account and the monies deposited therein.
          Monies deposited in the Collateral Account shall constitute security
          for the Secured Obligations. The Borrower hereby pledges and assigns
          to the Lender and hereby grants to the Lender a security interest in,
          all right, title or interest (if any) which the Borrower now has or
          may hereafter have or purport or claim to have in or to the
          Collateral Account and all monies held therein, any investments made
          with such monies and any and all certificates or instruments from
          time to time representing or evidencing such investments (and all
          proceeds thereof).

     (c)  Maintaining the Collateral Account. Until the Termination Date of this
          Agreement:

          (i)       The Borrower will maintain the Collateral Account with a 
                    financial institution approved by the Lender.

          (ii)      All monies received by the Lender while a Default or an 
                    Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and any
                    monies received as a result of investments made as
                    contemplated by subsection 4.2(c)(iii) hereof, shall be
                    deposited in the Collateral Account. 

          (iii)     Pending the disbursement thereof pursuant to the terms of 
                    this Agreement, all monies in the Collateral Account shall
                    (to the extent it is practical to do so) be invested by the
                    Lender in Cash Equivalents. All such investments shall be
                    evidenced either (a) by negotiable certificates or
                    instruments which are held by or for the account of the
                    Lender or (b) by book entries maintained in a State in
                    which the Lender may be granted by book entries a security
                    interest in the securities relating 





                                     -11-
<PAGE>   12

                    thereto. In the absence of its gross negligence or willful
                    misconduct, the Lender shall not have any liability out of
                    or in connection with any investment made in accordance
                    with the provisions herein or for any loss or decline in
                    value of any investment or from any loss resulting directly
                    or indirectly from any investment made pursuant to and in
                    accordance with the provisions hereof.

SECTION 4.3    Remedies.

     (a)  Proceeds to be Turned Over To the Lender.  When a Default or an Event
          of Default has occurred and is continuing all Proceeds (as defined in
          the Code) received by the Borrower consisting of cash, checks and
          other near-cash items shall be held by the Borrower in trust for the
          Lender, segregated from other funds of the Borrower, and shall,
          forthwith upon receipt by the Borrower, be turned over to the Lender
          in the exact form received by the Borrower (duly indorsed by the
          Borrower to the Lender, if required) and held by the Lender in the
          Collateral Account. All Proceeds while held by the Lender in the
          Collateral Account (or by the Borrower in trust for the Lender) shall
          continue to be held as collateral security for all the Secured
          Obligations and shall not constitute payment thereof until applied as
          provided in subsection 4.3(b).

     (b)  Application of Proceeds.  At such intervals as may be agreed upon by 
          the Borrower and the Lender, or, if an Event of Default has occurred
          and is continuing at any time at the Lender's election, the Lender
          may apply all or any part of Proceeds held in any Collateral Account
          in payment of the Secured Obligations in such order as the Lender may
          elect, and any part of such funds which the Lender elects not so to
          apply and deems not required as collateral security for the Secured
          Obligations shall be paid over from time to time by the Lender to the
          Borrower or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the
          same. Any balance of such Proceeds remaining after the Secured
          Obligations shall have been paid in full and the Commitment shall
          have expired or otherwise been terminated shall be paid over to the
          Borrower or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the
          same.

      (c) Code Remedies. If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing,
          the Lender may exercise, in addition to all other rights and remedies
          granted to it in this Agreement and in any other instrument or
          agreement securing, evidencing or relating to the Secured
          Obligations, all rights and remedies of a secured party under the
          Code. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Lender,
          without demand of performance or other demand, 





                                     -12-
<PAGE>   13

          presentment, protest, advertisement or notice of any kind (except any
          notice required by law referred to below) to or upon the Borrower or
          any other Person (all and each of which demands, defenses,
          advertisements and notices are hereby waived), may in such
          circumstances forthwith collect, receive, appropriate and realize
          upon the Collateral, or any part thereof, and/or may forthwith sell,
          lease, assign, give option or options to purchase, or otherwise
          dispose of and deliver the Collateral or any part thereof (or
          contract to do any of the foregoing), in one or more parcels at
          public or private sale or sales, at any exchange, broker's board or
          office of the Lender or elsewhere upon such terms and conditions as
          it may deem advisable and at such prices as it may deem best, for
          cash or on credit or for future delivery without assumption of any
          credit risk. The Lender shall have the right upon any such public
          sale or sales, and, to the extent permitted by law, upon any such
          private sale or sales, to purchase the whole or any part of the
          Collateral so sold, free of any right or equity of redemption in the
          Borrower, which right or equity is hereby waived or released. The
          Borrower further agrees, at the Lender's request, to assemble the
          Collateral and make it available to the Lender at places which the
          Lender shall reasonably select, whether at the Borrower's premises or
          elsewhere. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower
          waives all claims, damages and demands it may acquire against the
          Lender arising out of the exercise by them of any rights hereunder.
          If any notice of a proposed sale or other disposition of Collateral
          shall be required by law, such notice shall be deemed reasonable and
          proper if given at least 10 days before such sale or other
          disposition. 

     (d)  The exercise by the Lender of or failure or refusal to so exercise any
          right, remedy or power granted under this Agreement or available to
          the Lender at law or in equity or under statute shall in no manner
          affect the Borrower's liability to the Lender, and the Lender shall
          be under no obligation or duty to exercise any of the rights,
          remedies or powers conferred upon it hereby or by applicable law, and
          it shall incur no liability for any act or failure to act in
          connection with the collection of, or the preservation of any rights
          under, any of the Collateral.

SECTION 4.4    Lender Appointment as Attorney-in-Fact; Lender Performance of 
Borrower's Obligations.

     (a)  Powers.  The Borrower hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the
          Lender and any officer or agent thereof, with full power of
          substitution, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full
          irrevocable power and authority in the place and stead of the
          Borrower and in the name of the Borrower or in





                                     -13-
<PAGE>   14

          its own name, for the purpose of carrying out the terms of this
          Agreement, to take any and all appropriate action and to execute any
          and all documents and instruments which may be necessary or desirable
          to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, and, without limiting
          the generality of the foregoing, the Borrower hereby gives the Lender
          the power and right, on behalf of the Borrower, without notice to or
          assent by the Borrower, to do any or all of the following:

          (i)       at any time when an Event of Default has occurred and is 
                    continuing in the name of the Borrower or its own name, or
                    otherwise, take possession of and indorse and collect any
                    checks, drafts, notes, acceptances or other instruments for
                    the payment of moneys due with respect to any Collateral
                    and file any claim or take any other action or proceeding
                    in any court of law or equity or otherwise deemed
                    appropriate by the Lender for the purpose of collecting any
                    and all such moneys due with respect to any Collateral
                    whenever payable;

          (ii)      pay or discharge taxes and Liens levied or placed on or 
                    threatened against the Collateral, effect any repairs or
                    any insurance called for by the terms of this Agreement and
                    pay all or any part of the premiums therefor and the costs
                    thereof; 

          (iii)     execute, in connection with any sale provided for in 
                    subsection 4.3(c), any endorsements, assignments or other
                    instruments of conveyance or transfer with respect to the
                    Collateral; and

          (iv)      at any time when an Event of Default has occurred and is 
                    continuing (1) direct any party liable for any payment
                    under any of the Collateral to make payment of any and all
                    moneys due or to become due thereunder directly to the
                    Lender or as the Lender shall direct; (2) ask or demand
                    for, collect, receive payment of and receipt for, any and
                    all moneys, claims and other amounts due or to become due
                    at any time in respect of or arising out of any Collateral;
                    (3) sign and indorse any invoices, freight or express
                    bills, bills of lading, storage or warehouse receipts,
                    drafts against debtors, assignments, verifications, notices
                    and other documents in connection with any of the
                    Collateral; (4) commence and prosecute any suits, actions
                    or proceedings at law or in equity in any court of
                    competent jurisdiction to collect the Collateral or any
                    thereof and to enforce any other right in respect of any
                    Collateral; (5) defend any suit, action or





                                     -14-
<PAGE>   15

                    proceeding brought against the Borrower with respect to any
                    Collateral (other than any such suit, action or proceeding
                    brought by the Lender); (6) settle, compromise or adjust
                    any such suit, action or proceeding (other than any such
                    suit, action or proceeding brought by the Lender) and, in
                    connection therewith, to give such discharges or releases
                    as the Lender may deem appropriate; (7) generally, sell,
                    transfer, pledge and make any agreement with respect to or
                    otherwise deal with any of the Collateral as fully and
                    completely as though the Lender were the absolute owner
                    thereof for all purposes, and do, at the Lender's option
                    and the Borrower's expense, at any time, or from time to
                    time, all acts and things which the Lender deems necessary
                    to protect, preserve or realize upon the Collateral and the
                    Lender's security interests therein and to effect the
                    intent of this Agreement, all as fully and effectively as
                    the Borrower might do.

      (b)  Ratification; Power Coupled With An Interest.  The Borrower hereby
          ratifies all that said attorneys shall lawfully do or cause to be
          done by virtue hereof in accordance with the terms of this Agreement,
          absent gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the
          Lender. All powers, authorizations and agencies contained in this
          Agreement are coupled with an interest and are irrevocable until this
          Agreement is terminated and the security interests created hereby are
          released.


SECTION 4.5    Performance by Lender of Borrower's Obligations.

     If the Borrower fails to perform or comply with any of its agreements 
contained in this Article IV, the Lender, at its option, but without any
obligation so to do, may perform or comply, or otherwise cause performance or
compliance, with such agreement.


SECTION 4.6    Borrower's Reimbursement Obligation.

     The expenses of the Lender incurred in connection with actions undertaken 
as provided in this Article IV, together with interest thereon at a rate equal
to the rate per annum at which interest would then be payable on past due Loans
under this Agreement, from the date of payment by the Lender to the date
reimbursed by the Borrower, shall be payable by the Borrower to the Lender on
demand.

SECTION 4.7    Duty of the Lender.

     The Lender's sole duty with respect to the custody, safekeeping and 
physical preservation of the Collateral in its possession, under Section 9-207
of the Code or otherwise, shall be to deal with it in the same manner as the
Lender deals with similar property for its own account. Neither the Lender, nor
any of its respective officers, directors, employees or agents shall be liable
for failure to demand, collect or realize upon any of the Collateral or for any





                                     -15-
<PAGE>   16

delay in doing so or shall be under any obligation to sell or otherwise dispose
of any Collateral upon the request of the Borrower or any other Person or to
take any other action whatsoever with regard to the Collateral or any part
thereof. The powers conferred on the Lender hereunder are solely to protect the
Lender's interests in the Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon the
Lender to exercise any such powers. The Lender shall be accountable only for
amounts that its actually receives as a result of the exercise of such powers,
and neither it nor any of its officers, directors, employees or agents shall be
responsible to the Borrower for any act or failure to act hereunder, except for
their own gross negligence or willful misconduct.


SECTION 4.8    Execution of Financing Statements.

     Pursuant to Section 9-402 of the Code, the Borrower authorizes the Lender 
to file financing statements with respect to the Collateral without the
signature of the Borrower in such form and in such filing offices as the Lender
reasonably determines appropriate to perfect the security interests of the
Lender under this Agreement. The Lender shall provide the Borrower with copies
of any such financing statements. A carbon, photographic or other reproduction
of this Agreement shall be sufficient as a financing statement for filing in
any jurisdiction.


SECTION 4.9    The Pledge Agreement.

     In addition to the security interest granted hereunder, the Borrower shall
grant to the Lender a security interest in the Pledged Partnership Interests
and the Pledged Stock (as those terms are defined in the Pledge Agreement)
pursuant to the Pledge Agreement.

   
SECTION 4.10     Pledged Notes.

         With respect to any promissory notes now or hereinafter owned by or
owing to the Borrower, including, without limitation, the promissory note from
Charter Behavioral Health Systems, LLC, such notes shall be promptly endorsed
in blank and delivered to the Lender.
    

SECTION 4.11     Release of Collateral.

         In the event that the Borrower desires to have any Collateral released
in connection with the sale, assignment, transfer or other conveyance of such
Collateral (including the release of any promissory note in connection with the
repayment thereof), the Borrower shall obtain the prior written consent of the
Lender to the release of such Collateral and the repayment of the portion of
the Loan which is allocable to such Collateral, which consent (of both the
release and the amount to be repaid) may be withheld in the Lender's sole and
absolute discretion. Any request by the Borrower for release of Collateral
shall be in writing and shall state that portion of the Loan which is allocable
to such Collateral. Provided that the Lender consents to any such release, the
Lender agrees to release such Collateral promptly following receipt by the
Lender of the allocable portion of the Loan attributable to such Collateral.

                                  ARTICLE V
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES


     The Borrower represents and warrants that:

SECTION 5.1    Existence and Power.

     The Borrower is a corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, and has all corporate power
and authority, and all material governmental licenses, authorizations,
consents, and approvals required to carry on its business as now conducted.



                                     -16-
<PAGE>   17

SECTION 5.2    Corporate and Government Authorization; No Contravention.

     The execution, delivery, and performance by the Borrower of this Agreement,
the Pledge Agreement and the Note are within the scope of the Borrower's power
and authority, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of
the Borrower, require no action by or in respect of, or filing with any
governmental body, agency, or official and do not contravene, or constitute a
default under, the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws of the Borrower or
under any provision of applicable law or regulation to which the Borrower is
subject, or of any judgment, injunction, order, or decree, binding upon the
Borrower, except for such contraventions as will not, singly or in the
aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Borrower to
perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Pledge Agreement or the Note.


SECTION 5.3    Binding Effect.

     This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid, binding, and enforceable 
agreement of the Borrower, except as (i) the enforceability thereof may be
limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors' rights
generally and (ii) rights of acceleration and the availability of equitable
remedies may be limited by equitable principles of general applicability.


SECTION 5.4    Litigation.

     There is no action, suit or proceeding pending against, or to the knowledge
of the Borrower, threatened against or affecting the Borrower before any court
or arbitrator or any governmental body, agency or official which could
materially adversely affect the business, financial position, results of
operations, or prospects of the Borrower or which could materially adversely
affect the ability of the Borrower to perform its obligations under this
Agreement, the Pledge Agreement or the Note or which in any manner draws into
question the validity of this Agreement, the Pledge Agreement or the Note.

SECTION 5.5    Taxes.

     The Borrower has filed all material tax returns and reports required by law
to have been filed and has paid all taxes and governmental charges thereby
shown to be due and payable.

SECTION 5.6    Debt.

     Except as set forth in the financial statements delivered to the Lender
pursuant to Section 5.10, the Borrower has and will have no Debt outstanding on
a Closing Date other than (i) the Debt outstanding hereunder, (ii) Debt that
has previously been disclosed to the Lender in writing, and (iii) Debt that
will not, in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the business,
operations, or prospects of the Borrower.




                                     -17-
<PAGE>   18

SECTION 5.7    Title to Assets.

     (a)  The Borrower has legal title to or a legal and valid leasehold 
          interest in all property and assets owned by it on the date hereof,
          and will have legal title to all property and assets acquired by it
          at any time subsequent to the date hereof, free and clear of all
          Liens, except Liens in favor of the Lender.

     (b)  Except for the security interest granted to the Lender pursuant to 
          this Agreement, the Borrower owns each item of the Collateral free
          and clear of any and all Liens or claims of others. No financing
          statement or other public notice with respect to all or any part of
          the Collateral is on file or of record in any public office, except
          such as have been filed in favor of the Lender pursuant to this
          Agreement or the Pledge Agreement.

SECTION 5.8    Perfected First Priority Liens.

     The security interests granted pursuant to this Agreement (a) constitute 
perfected security interests in the Collateral in favor of the Lender, as
collateral security for the Secured Obligations and (b) are prior to all other
Liens on the Collateral in existence on the date hereof.


SECTION 5.9    Inventory and Equipment.

     The Inventory and the Equipment are kept at the locations listed on
Schedule 1.

SECTION 5.10   Chief Executive Office.

   
     The Borrower's chief executive office is located at 777 Main St.,
Fort Worth, Texas 76102.
    

SECTION 5.11   Farm Products.

     None of the Collateral constitutes, or is the Proceeds of, Farm Products.

SECTION 5.12   No Subsidiaries.

     The Borrower has no Subsidiaries on the date hereof.

SECTION 5.13   Financial Information.

         All financial information which has been or shall hereafter be 
furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower or by any other Person at the
Borrower's direction to the Lender for the 





                                     -18-
<PAGE>   19

purposes of or in connection with this Agreement present fairly the financial
condition as at the dates thereof (subject to normal year end adjustments in
the case of unaudited financial statements).

SECTION 5.14   No Material Adverse Change.

     There has been no material adverse change in the business, financial 
condition, operations, assets, revenues, properties, or prospects of the
Borrower taken as a whole from the financial information previously provided to
Lender.

                                  ARTICLE VI
                                   COVENANTS

     The Borrower agrees that, so long as any amount payable hereunder remains
unpaid:


SECTION 6.1    Conduct of Business and Maintenance of Existence.

   
     The Borrower will perform an intercompany agreement to be entered into
between the Lender and the Borrower and such activities as are necessary or
incidental thereto, and will preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect
its existence.
    

SECTION 6.2    Financial Information.

     The Borrower will deliver to the Lender:

     (a)  soon as available, but in no event more than one hundred twenty (120)
          days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, financial
          statements of the Borrower containing a balance sheet and the related
          statements of operations and cash flows, showing the financial
          condition of the Borrower at the close of and for such year; and

     (b)  as soon as available, but in no event more than sixty (60) days after 
          the end of each of the first three quarters of each fiscal year of
          the Borrower, financial statements of the Borrower, containing a
          balance sheet and the related statements of income prepared or a cash
          basis, showing the financial condition of the Borrower at the close
          of and for such period.

   
     The financial statements delivered pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of
this Section 6.2 shall be certified by the president or chief financial officer
of the Borrower as true, complete, and correct and, as to the financial
statements delivered pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section 6.2, as having
been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
    





                                     -19-
<PAGE>   20

SECTION 6.3    Compliance with Laws.

     The Borrower will comply with all applicable laws, ordinances, rules,
regulations, and requirements of governmental authorities except where the
necessity of compliance therewith is contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings or where the failure to comply therewith will not materially
adversely affect the business, operations, or financial condition of the
Borrower or the ability of the Borrower to perform its obligations under this
Agreement, the Pledge Agreement or the Note.


SECTION 6.4    Incurrence of Debt.

   
     The Borrower will not issue, assume, guarantee, incur, or otherwise be or
become liable in respect of Debt, other than (i) Debt expressly approved by the
Lender in writing, which approval may be withheld in the Lender's sole
discretion, or (ii) non-recourse Debt financing secured by property of the
Borrower not constituting Collateral prior to or as of June 30, 1997 (the
Lender hereby agreeing to cooperate with the Borrower to subordinate or release
its Lien on such property to permit any lender of such financing to obtain a
first lien thereon).
    


SECTION 6.5    Limitation on Liens.

     The Borrower will not create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien
upon or with respect to any of its assets, whether now or hereafter acquired,
or assign or otherwise convey any right to receive income, except (i) Liens in
favor of the Lender; (ii) Liens expressly approved by the Lender, which
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld; (iii) Liens imposed by any
governmental authority for taxes, assessments or charges not yet due or which
are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings if adequate
reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the Borrower in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and (iv) Liens
disclosed to the Lender on or before the Closing Date that would not, in the
aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the business, operations, or
prospects of the Borrower.

SECTION 6.6    Consolidations, Mergers, and Sales of Assets.

     The Borrower will not wind up, liquidate or dissolve its affairs or convey,
sell, lease or otherwise dispose of (or agree to do any of the foregoing at any
future time), whether in one or a series of transactions, all or any
substantial part of its assets, unless such transaction or series of
transactions are expressly approved by the Lender, which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld.





                                     -20-
<PAGE>   21

SECTION 6.7    Books and Records.

     The Borrower will keep books and records which accurately reflect all of
its business affairs and transactions in all material respects. The Borrower
will permit the Lender at reasonable times and intervals during normal business
hours to examine and photocopy extracts from any of its books or other
corporate records.


SECTION 6.8    Lien on Collateral.

     The Borrower shall, at its sole cost and expense, perform all acts and
execute all documents requested by the Lender at any time to evidence, perfect,
maintain and enforce the Lender's security interest and the first priority
thereof in the Collateral. Upon the Lender's request, at any time and from time
to time, the Borrower shall, at its sole cost and expense, execute and deliver
to the Lender one or more financing statements (in form and substance
satisfactory to the Lender) pursuant to the Code and, where permitted by law,
the Borrower hereby authorizes the Lender to execute and file one or more
financing statements signed only by the Lender or to file a copy of this
Agreement as a financing statement.


SECTION 6.9    Restriction on Dividends.

     The Borrower will not make dividend distributions to its shareholders at
any time when there exists an outstanding balance on the Loan.

SECTION 6.10   Restriction on Certain Amendments.

     The Borrower will not amend its organizational documents without the prior
written consent of the Lender, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld.

SECTION 6.11   Delivery of Instruments and Chattel Paper.

     If any amount payable under or in connection with any of the Collateral
shall be or become evidenced by any Instrument or Chattel Paper, such
Instrument or Chattel Paper shall be immediately delivered to the Lender, duly
indorsed in a manner satisfactory to the Lender, to be held as Collateral
pursuant to this Agreement.

SECTION 6.12   Maintenance of Insurance.

     The Borrower will maintain, with financially sound and reputable
companies, insurance policies (1) insuring the Inventory and Equipment against
loss by fire, explosion, theft and such other casualties as may be reasonably
satisfactory to the Lender, such policies to be in such form and amounts and
having such coverage as may be reasonably satisfactory to the Lender, with
losses payable to the Borrower and the Lender as their respective interests may
appear.





                                     -21-
<PAGE>   22

     (a)  All such insurance shall (1) provide that no cancellation, material 
          reduction in amount or material change in coverage thereof shall be
          effective until at least 30 days after receipt by the Lender of
          written notice thereof, (2) name the Lender as an insured party and
          (3) be reasonably satisfactory in all other respects to the Lender.

     (b)  The Borrower shall deliver to the Lender a report of a reputable 
          insurance broker with respect to such insurance in each calendar year
          and such supplemental reports with respect thereto as the Lender may
          from time to time reasonably request.

SECTION 6.13   Changes in Locations, Name, etc.

     The Borrower will not unless it shall have given the Lender at least 30
days prior written notice of such change (or, in the case of Inventory and
Equipment, at least 10 days prior written notice, to the extent that the
Borrower has taken such action as reasonably may be required of it to maintain
the continuous perfection of the Lender's security interest in such Inventory
or Equipment, as the case may be):

     (a)  permit any of the Inventory (other than goods-in-transit and 
          immaterial amounts of goods in temporary locations in the ordinary
          course of business) or Equipment to be kept at a location other than
          those listed on Schedule 1;

     (b)  change the location of its chief executive office from that specified
          in subsection 5.10; or

     (c)  change its name, identity or corporate structure to such an extent 
          that any financing statement filed by the Lender in connection with
          this Agreement would become seriously misleading.

SECTION 6.14   Further Identification of Collateral.

     The Borrower will furnish to the Lender from time to time statements and
schedules further identifying and describing the Collateral and such other
reports in connection with the Collateral as the Lender may reasonably request,
all in reasonable detail.


SECTION 6.15   Notices.

     The Borrower will advise the Lender promptly, in reasonable detail, of (a)
any Lien (other than security interests created hereby or Liens permitted under
this Agreement) on any of the Collateral and (b) the occurrence of any other
event which could reasonably be





                                     -22-
<PAGE>   23
expected to have a material adverse effect on the aggregate value of the
Collateral or on the security interests created hereby.

SECTION 6.16   Additional Collateral.

   
     With respect to any Person other than Charter Behavioral Health Systems,
LLC (being specifically excluded) that, subsequent to the Closing Date, becomes
a Subsidiary, the Borrower will promptly cause such new Subsidiary to (i)
execute and deliver to the Lender a guaranty of the Loan in form and substance
satisfactory to the Lender, and a new pledge agreement or such amendments to
the existing Pledge Agreement as the Lender shall deem necessary or reasonably
advisable to grant to the Lender, for the benefit of the Lender, a Lien on the
capital stock of such Subsidiary which is owned by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries, (ii) deliver to the Lender the certificates representing such
capital stock, together with undated stock powers executed and delivered in
blank by a duly authorized officer of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the
case may be, (iii) take all actions necessary or advisable to grant a security
interest to the Lender in the property and assets of such Subsidiary,
including, without limitation, the filing of financing statements in such
jurisdictions as may be requested by the Lender and the execution and delivery
by such Subsidiary of a security agreement in a form acceptable to the Lender.
    

                                  ARTICLE VII
                                    DEFAULTS

SECTION 7.1    Events of Default.

     If one or more of the following events ("Events of Default") shall have
occurred and be continuing:

     (a)  except as permitted pursuant to Section 2.2(b), the Borrower shall 
          fail to pay within five Business Days of the due date any principal
          or interest on the Loan;

     (b)  any representation or warranty made by the Borrower hereunder or in
          any certificate furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower shall be
          incorrect when made in any material respect;

   
     (c)  the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform the provisions of 
          Section 6.9 hereof for five Business Days;

     (d)  the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant or 
          agreement contained in this Agreement, the Pledge Agreement, the Note
          (other than those covered by clause (a), (b) or (c) above), or any
          other Loan Document for 30 days (or, with respect to Section 6.2 of
          this Agreement, for 30 days after written notice thereof has been
          given to the Borrower by the Lender); provided however, if such
          default is capable of cure and the Borrower is diligently proceeding
          to cure such default, the cure period in this subsection (d)
    


                                      -23-
<PAGE>   24

          shall be extended for such additional time, not to exceed 30 days, as
          is reasonably necessary to complete such cure;

   
     (e)  the Borrower shall fail to make any payment in respect of any Material
          Debt other than the Debt of the Borrower under this Agreement and the
          Note when due or within any applicable grace period; 

     (f)  any Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing
          under the Term Loan Credit and Security Agreement.


     (g)  the Borrower shall commence a voluntary case or other proceeding 
          seeking liquidation, reorganization, or other relief with respect to
          itself or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency, or other
          similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of
          a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian, or other similar official
          of it or any substantial part of its property, or shall consent to
          any such relief or to the appointment of or taking possession by any
          such official in an involuntary case or other proceeding commenced
          against it, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of
          creditors, or shall fail generally to pay its debts as they become
          due, or shall take any action to authorize any of the foregoing;

     (h)  an involuntary case or other proceeding shall be commenced against the
          Borrower seeking liquidation, reorganization, rehabilitation,
          conservation, or other relief with respect to it or its debts under
          any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in
          effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator,
          custodian, rehabilitator, conservator, or other similar official of
          it or any substantial part of its property, and such involuntary case
          or other proceeding shall remain undismissed and unstayed for a
          period of 120 days; or an order for relief shall be entered against
          the Borrower under the federal bankruptcy laws or any state
          insolvency laws as now or hereafter in effect; 

     (i)  a judgment or order for the payment of money in excess of $500,000 
          shall be rendered against the Borrower and such judgment or order
          shall continue unsatisfied, unstayed and unbonded for a period of 30
          days; provided, however that a judgment or order fully covered by
          insurance, which coverage has not been disputed by the insurer, shall
          not be considered a Default;
    

     then, and in every such event, the Lender may, by notice to the Borrower 
     declare the Note (together with accrued interest thereon) to be, and the
     Note shall thereupon become, immediately due and payable without
     presentment, demand, protest, or other notice of any kind, all of which
     are hereby waived by the


                                     -24-
<PAGE>   25

     Borrower; provided that in the case of any of the Events of Default
     specified in clause (f) or (g) above (each, a "Bankruptcy Event of
     Default"), without any notice to the Borrower or any other act by the
     Lender, the Note (together with accrued interest thereon) shall become
     immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest, or other
     notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.

                                 ARTICLE VIII
                                 MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 8.1    Notices.

     All notices, requests and other communications to any party hereunder
shall be in writing (including bank wire, telex, facsimile transmission or
similar writing) and shall be given to such party: (i) in the case of the
Borrower or the Lender at their respective addresses, telex numbers or
facsimile numbers set forth on the signature pages hereof or (ii) in the case
of any party, such other address, telex number or facsimile number as such
party may hereafter specify for the purpose by notice to the other party in
accordance with this Section. All notices shall be effective when received.


SECTION 8.26   Expenses; Indemnification.

     (a)  The Borrower shall pay (i) all out-of-pocket expenses reasonably 
          incurred by the Lender, including reasonable fees and disbursements
          of counsel in connection with any waiver or consent hereunder or any
          amendment hereof or any Default or alleged Default hereunder, and
          (ii) if an Event of Default occurs, all out-of-pocket expenses
          incurred by the Lender, including reasonable fees and disbursements
          of counsel in connection with such Event of Default and collection,
          bankruptcy, insolvency, and other enforcement proceedings resulting
          therefrom. The Borrower shall indemnify the Lender against any
          transfer taxes, documentary taxes, assessments or charges made by any
          governmental authority by reason of the execution and delivery of
          this Agreement, the Pledge Agreement or the Note.

     (b)  The Borrower agrees to indemnify the Lender and hold the Lender 
          harmless from and against any and all liabilities, losses, damages,
          costs and expenses of any kind (other than general overhead and
          administrative expenses), including, without limitation, the
          reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel, which may be incurred
          by the Lender in connection with any investigative, administrative,
          or judicial proceeding (whether or not the Lender shall be designated
          a party thereto) relating to or arising out of this Agreement, the
          Pledge Agreement or the Note or any actual or proposed use of
          proceeds of





                                     -25-
<PAGE>   26

          the Loan hereunder; provided that the Lender shall not have the right
          to be indemnified hereunder for (i) any proceeding against the Lender
          by any governmental authority charged with the supervision of the
          Lender or (ii) its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as
          determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.

SECTION 8.3    Amendments and Waivers.

     Any provision of this Agreement, the Pledge Agreement, the Note or any 
other Loan Document may be amended or waived if, but only if, such amendment or
waiver is in writing and is signed by the Lender and the Borrower.


SECTION 8.4    Successors and Assigns.

     The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns,
except that the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights
under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Lender. The
purchaser, assignee, transferee, or pledgee of any of the Lender's rights under
the Lender's security interest hereunder shall forthwith become vested with and
entitled to exercise all the rights, powers, and remedies given under this
Agreement to the Lender, as if said purchaser, assignee, transferee, or pledgee
were originally named as secured party herein.

SECTION 8.5    Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction.

     THIS AGREEMENT, THE PLEDGE AGREEMENT, THE NOTE AND THE OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENTS SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF
TEXAS WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE CHOICE OF LAW RULES THEREOF. The Borrower
hereby submits to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the United States District
Court for the Northern District of Texas and of any Texas state court for
purposes of all legal proceedings arising out of or relating to this Agreement
or the transactions contemplated hereby. The Borrower irrevocably waives, to
the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection which it may now or
hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such proceeding brought in
such a court and any claim that any such proceeding brought in such a court has
been brought in an inconvenient forum.


SECTION 8.6    Counterparts; Integration.

     This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which
shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and
hereto were upon the same instrument. This Agreement constitutes the entire
agreement and understanding among the 



                                     -26-
<PAGE>   27

parties hereto and supersedes any and all
prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject
matter hereof.


SECTION 8.7    WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.

     THE BORROWER AND THE LENDER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO
TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS
AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. This waiver of right to a
trial by jury is separately given, knowingly and voluntarily, by the Borrower
and the Lender, and this waiver is intended to encompass individually each
instance and each issue as to which the right to a trial by jury would
otherwise accrue. The Borrower and the Lender are hereby authorized and
requested to submit this Agreement to any court having jurisdiction over the
subject matters and the parties hereto, so as to serve as conclusive evidence
of the parties' herein contained waiver of the right to trial by jury. Further,
the Borrower and the Lender hereby certify that no representative, attorney or
agent of any other party has represented, expressly or otherwise, to the
Borrower, or the Lender that any other party will not seek to enforce this
waiver of right to trial by jury provision.

SECTION 8.8    Termination; Release.

     Until the Termination Date, this Agreement shall be a continuing
agreement, shall remain in full force and effect. After the Termination Date,
this Agreement shall terminate, and the Lender, at the request and expense of
the Borrower, will execute and deliver to Borrower a proper instrument or
instruments acknowledging the satisfaction and termination of this Agreement,
and will duly assign, transfer and deliver to the Borrower (without recourse
and without any representation or warranty) at the expense of the Lender the
Collateral if in the possession of the Lender or its agents and not theretofore
sold or otherwise applied or released pursuant to this Agreement).



                                     -27-
<PAGE>   28


SECTION 8.9    Effect of Headings.

     The Article and Section headings herein are for convenience of reference
only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

SECTION 8.10   Severability of Provisions.

     Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in
any jurisdiction shall not invalidate the remaining provisions hereof or affect
the validity or enforceability of such provisions in any other jurisdiction.

SECTION 8.11   Application of Proceeds.

     The parties agree that the Lender shall have the right to apply the
proceeds of any Collateral under this Agreement or the Term Loan Credit and
Security Agreement, in its sole discretion, against the Secured Obligations
under the Term Loan Credit and Security Agreement or the Secured Obligations
under this Agreement.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year
first above written.

                                             CRESCENT OPERATING, INC.


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

                                             Notice Address:

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

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

                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Facsimile:
                                                        ------------------------



                                             CRESCENT REAL ESTATE EQUITIES 
                                             LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                                             By:  Crescent Real Estate Equities,
                                             Ltd., its general partner



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


                                                Notice Address:

                                                777 Main Street
                                                Suite 2100
                                                Fort Worth, Texas  76102
                                                Facsimile:  (817) 878-0429




                                    -28-
<PAGE>   29



         Exhibits and Schedules:

         Exhibit A:  Application for Advance

         Exhibit B:  Note

         Exhibit C:  Certificate

         Schedule 1:  Location of the Inventory and Equipment


                                     -29-
<PAGE>   30


                                   EXHIBIT A
                            APPLICATION FOR ADVANCE


     This Application for Advance is submitted by the undersigned to Crescent
Real Estate Equities Limited Partnership (the "Lender") pursuant to that
certain Line of Credit Credit and Security Agreement, dated as of May 21, 1997,
between the Lender and the undersigned (the "Credit Agreement"). Each
capitalized term used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the
respective meaning ascribed to such term in the Credit Agreement.


     1.   The undersigned hereby requests an Advance under the Credit Agreement
in the amount of:          ($____________.00).

     2.   The undersigned hereby requests that such Advance be made on:_______,
199___.

     3.   The undersigned hereby represents and warrants to the Lender as
follows:


      (a)  The undersigned is not in Default under the Credit Agreement.

      (b)  No Event of Default has occurred or is continuing.

      (c)  Both before and after giving effect to the advance requested hereby, 
           the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.1(b) of
           the Credit Agreement are true and correct, with the same effect as
           if made on the date  hereof.

     Unless the undersigned has otherwise notified the Lender in writing prior
to the Closing Date and the making of the advance requested hereby, each of
such representations and warranties is true and correct as of the date hereof
and as of the Closing Date.


                                            CRESCENT OPERATING, INC.


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


<PAGE>   31




                                                                   May 21, 1997



                              LINE OF CREDIT NOTE


$20,400,000.00


         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, CRESCENT OPERATING, INC., a Delaware corporation
("Borrower") promises to pay to CRESCENT REAL ESTATE EQUITIES LIMITED
PARTNERSHIP, a Delaware limited partnership ("Lender"), at 777 Main Street,
Suite 2100, Fort Worth, Texas 76102, the principal sum of Twenty Million Four
Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($20,400,000.00), with interest on the 
principal balance from time to time remaining unpaid at the rates hereinafter 
provided.

         The Borrower promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal balance
hereof from the date hereof until paid in full pursuant to the Line of Credit
Credit and Security Agreement, dated as of May 21, 1997, between the Borrower
and the Lender (as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time
to time, the "Credit Agreement"). The Borrower promises to pay the aggregate
outstanding principal amount of the Loan together with interest thereon, on the
dates, in the amounts and at the rate or rates provided in the Credit
Agreement; provided that the interest payable shall not exceed the maximum rate
permitted by applicable law (the "Maximum Rate"). Interest on the principal
hereof from time to time remaining unpaid and, to the extent permitted by
applicable law, interest on the unpaid interest, shall bear interest from and
after an Event of Default at the Default Rate provided that in no event shall
the Default Rate be more than the Maximum Rate.

         This note is the Note referred to in the Credit Agreement. This Note
and the holder hereof are entitled to all of the benefits provided for thereby
or referred to therein. Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement for a
statement of such benefits. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used
herein with the same meanings. Reference is made to the Credit Agreement for
provisions for the acceleration of the maturity hereof.

         This Note shall be payable as provided in the Credit Agreement.

         Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default (after the giving of any
notice required in the Credit Agreement and the expiration of any applicable
grace periods provided for in the Credit Agreement), all amounts then remaining
unpaid on this Note shall become immediately due and payable, and the holder
hereof shall have all rights and remedies of Lender under the Credit Agreement
and other Loan Documents. The failure to exercise the option to accelerate the
maturity of this Note upon the happening of any one or more of the Events of
Default hereunder shall not constitute a waiver of the right with respect to
such uncured 








                                      -1-
<PAGE>   32

default or any other event of uncured default hereunder or under any other of
the Loan Documents. The remedies of the holder hereof, as provided in the Note
and in any other of the Loan Documents, shall be cumulative and concurrent and
may be pursued separately, successively or together, as often as occasion
therefor shall arise, at the sole discretion of the holder. The acceptance by
the holder hereof of any payment under this Note which is less than payment in
full of all amounts due and payable at the time of such shall not constitute a
waiver of or impair, reduce, release, or extinguish any of the rights or
remedies of the holder hereof to exercise the foregoing option or any other
option granted to the holder in this Note or in any other of the Loan
Documents, at that time or at any subsequent time, or nullify any prior
exercise of any such option.

         The undersigned and all other parties now or hereafter liable for the
payment hereof, whether as endorser, surety, or otherwise, except as provided
in the Credit Agreement, severally waive demand, presentment, notice of
dishonor, notice of intention to accelerate the indebtedness evidenced hereby,
notice of the acceleration of the maturity hereof, diligence in collecting,
grace, notice and protest, and consent to all extensions which from time to
time may be granted by the holder hereof and to all partial payments hereon,
whether before or after maturity.

         If this Note is not paid when due, whether at maturity or by
acceleration, or if it is collected through a bankruptcy, or other court,
whether before or after maturity, the undersigned agrees to pay all costs of
collection, including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys' fees and
expenses incurred by the holder hereof.

         All agreements between the undersigned and the holder hereof, whether
now existing or hereafter arising and whether written or oral, are hereby
limited so that in no contingency, whether by reason of acceleration of the
maturity hereof or otherwise, shall the interest contracted for, charged,
received, paid, or agreed to be paid to the holder hereof exceed the maximum
amount permissible under applicable law. If from any circumstance the holder
hereof shall ever receive anything of value deemed interest by applicable law
in excess of the maximum lawful amount, an amount equal to any excess interest
shall be applied to the reduction of the principal hereof and not to the
payment of interest, or if such excess interest exceeds the unpaid balance of
principal hereof, such excess shall be refunded to the undersigned. All
interest paid or agreed to be paid to the holder hereof shall, to the extent
permitted by applicable law, be amortized, prorated, allocated, and spread
throughout the full period until payment in full of the principal so that the
interest hereon for such full period shall not exceed the maximum amount
permitted by applicable law. This paragraph shall control all agreements
between the undersigned and the holder hereof.





                                      -2-
<PAGE>   33

         The loan transaction evidenced hereby shall not be governed by, or be
subject to, Chapter 15 of the Texas Credit Code (Title 79, Revised Civil
Statutes of Texas, 1925, as amended).

         EXCEPT WHERE FEDERAL LAW IS APPLICABLE (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION,
ANY FEDERAL USURY CEILING OR OTHER FEDERAL LAW WHICH, FROM TIME TO TIME, IS 
APPLICABLE TO THE INDEBTEDNESS 






                                      -3-
<PAGE>   34


EVIDENCED HEREIN AND WHICH PREEMPTS STATE USURY LAWS), THIS NOTE SHALL BE
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE LAWS OF THE
UNITED STATES APPLICABLE TO TRANSACTIONS IN SUCH STATE.

                                             CRESCENT OPERATING, INC.

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

                                      -4-