EXHIBIT 10.5
                                                                    ------------

CONFIDENTIAL  TREATMENT HAS BEEN  REQUESTED  FOR PORTIONS OF THIS  EXHIBIT.  THE
CONFIDENTIAL  PORTIONS HAVE BEEN  REDACTED AND ARE DENOTED BY A DOUBLE  ASTERISK
(**). THE CONFIDENTIAL PORTIONS HAVE BEEN SEPARATELY FILED WITH THE COMMISSION.


                       HOSPITAL AND SPECIAL WASTE FACILITY
                    EXCLUSIVE MEDICAL WASTE SERVICE AGREEMENT
                    -----------------------------------------

CUSTOMER NAME: CHRISTUS SPOHN HOSPITAL SYSTEM   CONTACT: JESSE YVARRA/ROY CUEVAS
               -------------------------------           -----------------------

SERVICE ADDRESS: 1702 SANTE FE                  PHONE: (361)  902-4954/902-4889
               -------------------------------        --------------------------

CITY, STATE, ZIP: CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS  78404  OFFICE HOURS:
                  ----------------------------               -------------------

ADDITIONAL  INFORMATION:  THE FOLLOWING CONTRACT TO INCLUDE:  SHORELINE,  SOUTH,
ALICE, BEEVILLE,  KLEBERG, FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS, RURAL CLINICS,  INFIRMARY, ALL
SITES PRESENT & Future.

        SERVICE TYPE                 SERVICES PROVIDED             FEE
-----------------------------   --------------------------   -------------------
[X] DAILY: Where applicable       ANNUAL SERVICE CHARGE:     $   **
                                                                 --

[X] WEEKLY:  Where applicable           BOX PRICE            $   N/A
                                                                 ---

[ ] MONTHLY                              LB PRICE            $   **
                                                                 --

                                    TRANSPORTATION FEE       $   N/A
                                                                 ---

                                MINIMUM WEIGHT 14 LBS. N/A   ACTIVE - INACTIVE -


-----------------------------   --------------------------   -------------------
                                   FOR OFFICE USE ONLY:
ESTIMATED NUMBER OF               EFFECTIVE SERVICE DATE:    EFFECTIVE PICK UP
BOXES PER MONTH: N/A                                         DATE:
                 ---
                                        03/01/99
                                        --------             ----/----/----

                                                             BLUE/GREEN/
                                                             RED/YELLOW

                                                             M  T  W  R  F
                                                              -- -- -- -- --
-----------------------------   --------------------------   -------------------

                                TERMS OF CONTRACT
                                -----------------
PAYMENT TERMS:
--------------
EMSI's payment terms are forty-five  (45) days net. Full Payment of all invoices
is  required  forty-five  (45)  days  from  date of  invoice.  Services  will be
temporarily suspended on all delinquent accounts.

TERM:
-----
The initial term of this agreement  shall be for a period of one (1) ___ two (2)
___ or three (3) x years unless otherwise specified. The service agreement shall
commence  upon the date set forth above  (Effect  Service  Date) and expiring on
03/01/02.  This  agreement  shall  automatically  renew for  successive one year
periods unless either party provides written notice to the other at least thirty
(30) days but not more than  ninety  (90) days  prior to the  expiration  of the
initial term or any  renewals  there  after.  All renewals  shall be on the same
terms and  conditions as set forth herein except that the  Corporation  reserves
the right to increase fees charged for services hereunder for any renewal period
as provided by the terms of this Agreement.


<PAGE>

By signing in the space provided below,  the Customer  acknowledges  having read
this  Agreement  in its  entirety  and  agrees  that it is bound  by  terms  and
conditions set forth above and set forth on the reverse of this page.

 /S/ ANTHONY W. HEEP                           /S/ MARK P. TATE
-----------------------------                 ----------------------------------
AUTHORIZED CUSTOMER SIGNATURE                 EMSI REPRESENTATIVE'S SIGNATURE

Anthony W. Heep                               Mark P. Tate
-----------------------------                 ----------------------------------
CUSTOMER'S PRINTED NAME                       EMSI REPRESENTATIVE'S PRINTED NAME

Executive Vice President                      03/26/99
-----------------------------                 ----------------------------------
TITLE  (PLEASE PRINT)                         DATE OF AGREEMENT