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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.26

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT ("Agreement") entered into as of January 22,
2002 by and between PhyCor, Inc., a Tennessee corporation (the "Company"), and
Tarpley B. Jones (the "Executive").

         In consideration of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement,
the parties hereby agree as follows:

                                    SECTION I
                                   EMPLOYMENT

     The Company agrees to employ the Executive, and the Executive agrees to
be employed by the Company for the Period of Employment as provided in Section
III.A. below upon the terms and conditions provided in the Agreement.

                                   SECTION II
                          POSITION AND RESPONSIBILITIES

         During the Period of Employment, the Executive shall serve as President
and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and be responsible for the typical
management responsibilities expected of an officer holding such positions and
such other responsibilities consistent with those positions as may be assigned
to the Executive from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Company.

                                   SECTION III
                                TERMS AND DUTIES

         A.       Period of Employment

         The period of Executive's employment under this Agreement will commence
on the earlier to occur of (1) the departure for any reason of the existing
Chief Executive Officer and President, or (2) commencement of a voluntary
chapter 11 case by the Company in accordance with the terms of the current term
sheet between the Company and its principal noteholder (the "Chapter 11 Case"),
and shall continue for a period of three (3) years from such earlier date,
subject to extension or termination as provided in this Agreement (the "Period
of Employment").

         The Period of Employment shall automatically be extended for one (1)
additional year unless the parties mutually agree otherwise on or before the
second anniversary hereof.


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         B.       Duties

         During the Period of Employment, the Executive shall devote
substantially all of his business time, attention and skill to the business and
affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries. The Executive will perform
faithfully the duties which may be assigned to him from time to time by the
Board of Directors. This agreement does not restrict Executive's right while
employed by the Company to make passive investments in other businesses that do
not require any active services or participation on his part or to engage in the
business activities described on Schedule A to this Agreement or any other
business activities approved by the Board of Directors or the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors, so long as those authorized business
activities do not interfere with the performance of his employment duties in
this Agreement. Schedule A will be updated to reflect any additional business
activities that are approved by the Board of Directors or the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors. The Company does not have any interest in
the gains, profits, or income the Executive derives from his passive investments
or authorized business activities.

                                   SECTION IV
                            COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

         A.       Compensation

         For all services rendered by the Executive in any capacity during the
Period of Employment, the Company shall pay the Executive an annual base salary
("Base Salary") of Four Hundred Eighty-Seven Thousand Dollars ($487,000) per
year, subject to increases approved by the Board of Directors or the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Such Base Salary shall be
payable according to the customary payroll practices of the Company but in no
event less frequently than once each month.

         B.       Annual Incentive Award; Success Bonus

         The Executive will be eligible for an annual incentive compensation
award ("Annual Incentive Award") for each fiscal year during the Period of
Employment with a target amount equal to 100% of the Executive's then current
Base Salary and tied to objective criteria to be established annually by the
Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee by agreement with the
Executive. The Company shall pay to Executive his Annual Incentive Award in cash
within five day after it is approved by the Board of Directors or the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, but in no event later than the
90th day after the end of each fiscal year. The Company agrees to pay an Annual
Incentive Award for the year ended December 31, 2001 of Two Hundred Thirty Seven
Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($237,500) within five (5) days of the effective
date of this Agreement.

         Upon the occurrence of either of the two events described in the first
paragraph of Section III.A. (departure of President/CEO or filing of the Chapter
11 Case) the Company shall pay Executive retroactive pay equal to Eight Thousand
Three Hundred Thirty Three Dollars ($8,333) per month beginning October 1, 2001,
through the occurrence of such event.


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         Upon the Effective Date of the Company's chapter 11 plan (as Effective
Date is defined in such plan), and provided Executive is the President/CEO of
the Company on the Effective Date, Company shall


pay Executive a success bonus equal to one hundred ten thousand dollars
($110,000) and Executive will be elected to and will serve as Chairman of the
Board of the Company's Board of Directors.

         C.       Options

         The Company will take all actions necessary to grant to Executive
non-qualified options to purchase that number of shares of the Company common
stock equal to 1.5% of the Company's fully-diluted common stock. The Company
will grant the options within 120 days following the Effective Date of the
Company's chapter 11 plan; provided, however, that in the event the Company
enters into an agreement to sell all or substantially all of its assets or to
merge with another entity prior to such 120-day period, the Company will grant
the options immediately prior to the closing of such transaction. Subject to
Sections VI(A), VII and XI the options shall vest either upon grant or in equal
installments over a period of three years from their grant date. The exercise
price of all of the options will be determined in accordance with the Management
and Employee Incentive Plan to be implemented in connection with the Company's
chapter 11 plan and will be the same price as all other options granted
contemporaneously with Executive's options; provided, however, that in the event
more than one exercise price is established for such other options, the
Executive's option price will be the lowest of such prices. The Management and
Employee Incentive Plan will govern other terms of the options. Each option will
allow all or any part of the exercise price and any applicable tax withholding
for any shares to be purchased pursuant to exercise of the options to be paid by
any combination of the following methods: (a) by a cash payment to the Company;
(b) by Executive delivering to the Company his written election for the Company
to withhold a portion of the shares otherwise issuable to Executive pursuant to
the exercise of the option; (c) by transferring to the Company outstanding
shares of Employer's common stock that have been owned by Executive for more
than six months on the exercise date of the option; or (d) to the extent
approved in advance by the committee that administers the Company's options, by
delivering to the Company a copy of irrevocable instructions that have been
provided by Executive to a financial institution or a securities broker-dealer
to pay promptly to the Company all or a portion of the proceeds from either a
sale of the share to be purchased pursuant to the exercise of the option or a
loan to be secured by a pledge of all or a portion of those shares. Shares that
are transferred to, or withheld by, the Company in payment of the exercise price
or any tax withholding will be valued for purposes of payment at their market
value on the exercise date of the option. All references to common stock, equity
or options of the Company in this agreement shall be deemed to refer to the
common or other equity of the Company or, if applicable, the successor to the
Company's business as such may exist pursuant to the Company's chapter 11 plan.

         D.       Common Stock

         The Company will take all actions necessary to issue to Executive that
number of shares of Company common stock equal to 3.5% of the Company's
fully-diluted common stock. All such shares will be issued within 120 days
following the Effective Date of the Company's chapter 11 plan, and such shares
shall be fully vested and shall not be subject to a risk of forfeiture or being
revoked


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or canceled on the books of the Company; provided, however, that in the event
the Company enters into an agreement to sell all or substantially all of its
assets or to merge with another entity prior to such 120-day period, the Company
will issue the shares immediately prior to the closing of such transaction. The
issue price for such shares will be the fair market value of a share of Company
common stock on the date of issuance. The Management and Employee Incentive Plan
to be implemented in connection with the Company's chapter 11 plan will govern
other terms of the stock issuance.

         E.       Additional Benefits

                  (1)      The Executive will be entitled to participate in all
compensation or employee benefit plans or programs and receive all benefits and
perquisites that are provided generally to Company executives, and also for
which any salaried employees are eligible under any existing or future plan or
program established by the Company. The Executive will participate to the extent
permissible under the terms and provisions of such plans or programs in
accordance with program provisions. These may include group hospitalization,
health, dental care, life or other insurance, tax qualified pension, savings,
thrift and profit sharing plans, termination pay programs, sick leave plans,
travel or accident insurance, disability insurance, and contingent compensation
plans including capital accumulation programs, restricted stock programs, stock
purchase programs and stock option plans. Nothing in this Agreement will
preclude the Company from amending or terminating any of the plans or programs
applicable to salaried employees or senior executives.

                  (2)      The Executive will be entitled to an annual paid
vacation of six weeks per year, which will be accrued ratably during each year.
Any unused annual vacation time will accumulate in accordance with the Company's
vacation policy. Upon termination of Executive's employment with the Company,
the Company shall compensate Executive for accumulated but unused vacation time
in accordance with Company policy.

                  (3)      In addition to vacation time, Executive may have
additional days of paid holiday or absence as determined in accordance with the
Company's policy or as approved by the Board of Directors or the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors.

         F.       Professional Dues, Fee and Memberships

         The Company shall pay or promptly reimburse Executive for all
professional dues, fees, and costs, including all costs of continuing
professional education required to maintain his license as a certified public
accountant and memberships in professional associations and organizations. The
Company shall also pay or promptly reimburse Executive up to $10,000 for all
legal, tax and other consulting fees and expenses incurred by Executive in
connection with negotiating this Agreement.

                                    SECTION V
                                BUSINESS EXPENSES

         The Company will reimburse the Executive for all reasonable travel and
other expenses incurred by the Executive in connection with the performance of
his duties and obligations under


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this Agreement. The Company will provide Executive with a corporate credit card
billed to the Company. Executive must support all expenditures with customary
receipts and expense reports subject to review.

                                   SECTION VI
                                   DISABILITY


         A.       Payments; Vesting of Options and Stock Upon Disability

         In the event of disability of the Executive during the Period of
Employment, the Company will continue to pay the Executive according to the
compensation provisions of this Agreement during the period of his disability,
until such time as the Executive's long-term disability insurance benefits are
available. The Company will, at its expense, maintain for Executive an
individual long-term disability policy containing provisions reasonably
acceptable to Employee. In the event the Executive is disabled for a continuous
period of six (6) months after the Executive first becomes disabled, the Company
may terminate the employment of the Executive. Upon such termination, ordinary
compensation will no longer be paid, except for earned but unpaid Base Salary
and any Annual Incentive Award that would be payable on a pro-rated basis for
the year in which the disability occurred. In the event of such termination, all
unvested stock options or unvested issued stock held by the Executive shall be
deemed fully vested on the date of such termination. The term "disability"
shall, for the purposes of this Agreement, have the same meaning as under any
disability insurance provided to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement or
otherwise.

         B.       Assistance to the Company

         Following a termination of Executive's employment attributable to his
disability, and for so long as he is physically and mentally able to do so and
is continuing to receive payment of his Base Salary and/or disability insurance
benefits as provided above, the Executive will furnish information and
assistance to the Company and from time to time will make himself available to
the Company to undertake assignments consistent with his prior position with the
Company and his physical and mental health.

                                   SECTION VII
                                      DEATH

         In the event of the death of the Executive during the Period of
Employment, the Company's obligation to make payments under this Agreement shall
cease as of the date of death, except for earned but unpaid Base Salary and
Annual Incentive Awards which will be paid on a pro-rated basis for that year
(based on the ratio of the number of days in the year on and before the date of
his death to the number of days in the year after the date of his death). The
Executive's designated beneficiary will be entitled to receive the proceeds of
any life or other death benefit programs provided in this Agreement. If the
Executive dies prior to the vesting of any options or stock grants, for vesting
purposes the Executive shall be deemed to have died at the end of the then
current vesting period, so that an additional traunch of options or stock shall
be deemed vested upon death.



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                                  SECTION VIII
                       EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

         A.       Termination Without Cause or Following a Change In Control

         If the Company terminates Executive's employment Without Cause, as
defined in this Agreement, or if Executive terminates his employment for Good
Reason, as defined in this Agreement, or if this Agreement is terminated
pursuant to Section XI (A), the Company will pay the Executive in a lump sum on
or before the effective date of the termination of Executive's employment (the
"Severance Date") the following: (i) any and all earned but unpaid Base Salary
and Annual Incentive Award that is owed to Executive through the Severance Date;
plus (ii) compensation for any accumulated but unused vacation time as of the
Severance Date according to Company policy; plus (iii) a pro rata portion of
Executive's target Annual Incentive Award for the fiscal year ending on or after
the Severance Date (based on the ratio of the number of days in the fiscal year
on and before the Severance Date to the number of days in the fiscal year after
the Severance Date); plus (iv) 1/12 of the sum of Executive's then-current
annual Base Salary plus the amount of the last year's Annual Incentive Award,
multiplied by the higher of the number of months remaining in the Employment
Period or 18. Furthermore, the Company shall contribute to its retirement plan
for the account of Executive for the first calendar year ending on or after the
Severance Date the entire amount that it would have contributed for that year in
the absence of the termination of Executive's employment (but in no event less
than the percentage contribution that it made for Executive in the immediately
preceding year), increased to reflect the additional year of service and taking
into account Executive's annualized rate of compensation for purposes of the
retirement plan, the percentage of that compensation that Executive was
contributing to the retirement plan as of the Severance Date, and the Company's
matching contribution rate for that year (or, if greater the preceding year).
The amounts payable to Executive pursuant to this subsection VIII.A. will not be
reduced by the amount of any income that Executive earns or could earn from
alternative employment during the remainder of the Employment Period. The
Company waives any duty that Executive might have under law to mitigate his
damages by seeking alternative employment. In addition, the Company shall
continue to provide to Executive for the longer of (i) the remaining Employment
Period or (ii) eighteen (18) months following the Severance Date (such longer
period, the "Severance Period") the benefits and perquisites described in this
Agreement as in effect at the Severance Date. If the Executive's employment
terminates Without Cause, or for Good Reason, or pursuant to Section XI, all
stock options and stock granted or issued to the Executive shall be deemed fully
vested, and the Company shall cause such stock options to remain exercisable for
the Severance Period.

         B.       Termination With Cause

         If Executive resigns or the Company terminates Executive With Cause,
the Company shall pay to Executive on or before the Severance Date the
following: (i) any and all earned but unpaid Base Salary that is owed to
Executive through the Severance Date; plus (ii) compensation for any accumulated
but unused vacation time as of the Severance Date according to Company policy.
No other payments will be made or benefits provided by the Company.


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         C.       Effect of Certain Terminations

         Upon termination of the Executive's employment for reasons other than
due to death, disability, or pursuant to Paragraph A of this Section or Section
XI, or upon Executive's resignation (other than for Good Reason or in connection
with a Change in Control), the Period of Employment and the Company's obligation
to make payments under this Agreement will cease as of the date of the
termination.

         D.       Definitions

         For this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings:

                  (1)      Termination "With Cause" means termination of the
Executive's employment by the Company's Board of Directors acting in good faith
by written notice by the Company to the Executive specifying the event relied
upon for such termination, due to the Executive's material misconduct with
respect to his duties under this Agreement, including, but not limited to,
conviction for a felony or perpetration of a common law fraud, or misconduct
that has resulted or is likely to result in material economic damage to the
Company.

                  (2)      Termination "Without Cause" means termination by the
Company of the Executive's employment other than due to death, disability,
termination With Cause, or pursuant to a Change in Control as described in
Section XI.

                  (3)      Termination for "Good Reason" means either (i) the
Executive is removed or not elected, reelected or otherwise continued in the
office of the Company or any of its subsidiaries which he held immediately prior
to his removal or failure to be elected, reelected, or otherwise continued in
that office, (ii) the Executive's duties, responsibilities or authority as an
employee are materially reduced or diminished from those in effect on the date
hereof without the Executive's consent; (iii) the Executive's compensation or
benefits are reduced without the Executive's consent, unless all executive
officers have their salaries reduced in the same percentage amount, not to
exceed 15%; (iv) the Company reduces the potential earnings of the Executive
under any performance-based bonus or incentive plan of the Company that remains
in effect, unless the Company's Board of Directors, by majority vote or consent,
has approved the reduction of the potential earnings of all executive officers
and Executive's reduction is no greater than the reduction of any other
executive officer; (v) any successor in interest of the Company or all or
substantially all its business or assets (whether by acquisition, merger,
liquidation, consolidation, reorganization, sale or transfer of assets or
business, or otherwise) fails or refuses to expressly assume in writing this
Agreement and all of the duties and obligations of the Company hereunder
pursuant to Section XIV hereof, (vi) the Company breaches materially any of the
provisions of this Agreement, any stock option or other agreement with
Executive; (vii) the Company fails to furnish to Executive during the Employment
Period furnished office space, a full-time secretary who is acceptable to him
and such other services, amenities, facilities, and clerical support as are
adequate for the performance of his duties and commensurate with his positions
with the Company; (viii) the Company assigns to Executive or asks him to
perform, without his written approval, any employment duties that are materially
inconsistent with those customarily associated with the responsibilities of an
executive of a publicly held


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corporation serving in the capacity that Executive is serving pursuant to
Section II; (ix) the Company fails to timely file, or the Bankruptcy Court fails
to approve, the motion referred to in Section XX hereof.

                                   SECTION IX
                      OTHER DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE DURING
                       AND AFTER THE PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT

         A.       Cooperation During and After Employment

         The Executive will, with reasonable notice during or after the Period
of Employment, furnish information as may be in his possession and cooperate
with the Company as may reasonably be requested in connection with any claims or
legal actions in which the Company is or may become a party.

         B.       Confidential Information

         The Executive recognizes and acknowledges that all information
pertaining to the affairs, business, clients, customers or other relationships
of the Company is confidential and is a unique and valuable asset of the
Company. Access to and knowledge of this information are essential to the
performance of the Executive's duties under this Agreement. The Executive will
not during the Period of Employment or for twelve (12) month thereafter, except
to the extent reasonably necessary in performance of the duties under this
Agreement, give to any person, firm, association, corporation or governmental
agency any information concerning the affairs, business, clients, customers or
other relationships of the Company, except as required by law or to comply with
a request by a court or a governmental authority to be disclosed (pursuant to a
subpoena or otherwise), but only if Executive promptly notifies the Company of
the required or requested disclosure so the Company may seek a protective order
to prevent disclosure of the information, and except for information that (i)
has been disclosed by the Company to anyone else on a non-confidential basis,
(ii) is generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure
by Executive or any person to whom Executive disclosed the information in
violation of this Agreement or (iii) is available to Executive on a
non-confidential basis from a source other than the Company, a person acting on
behalf of the Company, or a person who has a legal duty (by agreement or
otherwise) to keep the information confidential, so long as Executive does not
provide to anyone (by access or photocopy) any document that was obtained from
the Company. The Executive will not make use of this type of information for his
own purposes or for the benefit of any person or organization other than the
Company. The Executive will also use commercially reasonable efforts to prevent
the disclosure of this information by others. All records, memoranda, etc,
relating to the business of the Company, whether made by the Executive or
otherwise coming into his possession, are confidential and will remain the
property of the Company, subject to the exceptions provided above.

         C.       Certain Restricted Activities

         During the Period of Employment and for a twelve (12) month period
thereafter, the Executive will not use his status with the Company to obtain
goods or services from another


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organization on terms that would not be available to him in the absence of his
relationship to the Company. During the Period of Employment and for a twelve
(12) month period following termination of the Period of Employment, other than
termination Without Cause or for Good Reason: the Executive will not make any
statements or perform any acts intended to advance the interest of any existing
or prospective competitors of the Company in any way that will injure the
interest of the Company; the Executive, without prior express written approval
by the Board of Directors of the Company, will not directly or indirectly own or
hold any proprietary interest in or be employed by or receive compensation from
any party engaged in the same or any similar business in the same geographic
areas the Company does business; and the Executive, without express prior
written approval from the Board of Directors, will not solicit any members of
the then current clients of the Company for the purpose of diverting,
soliciting, or accepting any business in competition with the Company or discuss
with any employee of the Company information or operation of any business
intended to compete with the Company for the purpose of terminating her or his
employment to work for a competitor of the Company. For the purposes of this
paragraph, proprietary interest means legal or equitable ownership, whether
through stock holdings or otherwise, of a debt or equity interest (including
options, warrants, rights and convertible interest) in a business firm or
entity, or ownership of more than 5% of any class of equity interest in a
publicly-held company. The Executive acknowledges that the covenants contained
herein are reasonable as to geographic and temporal scope. For a twelve (12)
month period after termination of the Period of Employment for any reason, the
Executive will not directly or indirectly hire any employee of the Company to
work for a competitor of the Company or solicit or encourage any such employee
to leave the employ of the Company for the purpose of working for a competitor
of the Company.

         D.       Remedies

         The Executive acknowledges that his breach or threatened or attempted
breach of any provision of Section IX would cause irreparable harm to the
Company not compensable in monetary damages and that the Company shall be
entitled, in addition to all other applicable remedies, to a temporary and
permanent injunction and a decree for specific performance of the terms of
Section IX without being required to prove damages or furnish any bond or other
security, except as otherwise required by law. The Executive hereby acknowledges
the necessity of protection against the competition of, and certain other
possible adverse actions by, the Executive and that the nature and scope of such
protection has been carefully considered by the parties. The period provided and
the area covered are expressly represented and agreed to be fair, reasonable and
necessary. If, however, any court or arbitrator determines that the restrictions
described herein are not reasonable, the court or arbitration panel may modify,
rewrite or interpret such restrictions to include as much of their nature and
scope as will render them enforceable.

         E.       Effect of Material Default

         The Executive shall not be bound by the provisions of Section IX in the
event of a breach by the Company of any material obligations under this
Agreement that is to be performed upon or after termination of Executive's
employment with the Company or if Executive's employment under this


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Agreement is terminated by the Company Without Cause or by Executive for Good
Reason (other than pursuant to section XI).

                                    SECTION X
                           INDEMNIFICATION, LITIGATION

         The Company will indemnify the Executive from claims by third parties
to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the state of incorporation in
effect at that time, or certificate of incorporation and by-laws of the Company
whichever affords the greater protection to the Executive. In addition, the
Company shall enter into a separate indemnity agreement with Executive in
substantially the form attached as Schedule B to this Agreement.

                                   SECTION XI
                                CHANGE IN CONTROL

         A.       Effect of Change in Control

         In the event there is a Change in Control and within the twenty-four
(24) month period following such event Executive is terminated by the Company
other than With Cause, or within the six (6) month period following such event
Executive elects to resign with or without Good Reason, the Company shall pay to
the Executive the amounts described in Section VIII (A) and in subsections (1)
and (2) below.

                  (1)      Any stock options granted or stock issued to the
Executive prior to his resignation or termination will become fully vested upon
a Change in Control whether or not the Executive is terminated or resigns and
shall remain exercisable for one year following the Change in Control. The other
benefits and perquisites described in this Agreement as in effect at the date of
resignation or termination of employment (or at the date of the Change in
Control, if the benefits and perquisites are reduced thereafter) will also be
continued for thirty-six (36) months from the effective date of Executive's
termination or resignation pursuant to a Change of Control. Executive shall also
have COBRA continuation rights for healthcare coverage, beginning after the end
of such thirty-six (36) month period and the Company shall pay all premiums or
other costs of healthcare coverage for Executive and his dependents during the
COBRA continuation period. The obligation of Company to pay for Executive's
COBRA healthcare coverage costs during the thirty-six (36) month period shall
terminate upon Executive obtaining other employment to the extent such insurance
is provided by Executive's new employer. Company matching payments for corporate
retirement plans will become fully vested. The Company will reimburse Executive
for expenses in moving Executive to the location of his choice in the United
States under the terms and conditions of the Company's Executive moving policy,
within thirty-six (36) months from such termination or resignation.

                  (2)      The Company shall pay to Executive upon such
resignation or termination, as a retention bonus for services actually rendered
on and after the date of the Change in Control, a lump sum payment equal to 50%
of the sum of his Base Salary on the date of resignation or termination (or, if
higher, on the date of the Change in Control) and the greater of the most recent


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Annual Incentive Award paid or earned by Executive or the current Annual
Incentive Award target in effect at the time of such termination or resignation.

         B.       Excise Tax Indemnification.

         If the Internal Revenue Service asserts, or if Executive or the Company
is advised in writing by a "Big Five" accounting firm, that any payment in the
nature of compensation to, or for the benefit of, Executive from the Company (or
any successor in interest) constitutes an "excess parachute payment" under
section 280G of the Code, whether paid pursuant to this Agreement or any other
agreement, and including property transfers pursuant to stock options and other
employee benefits that vest upon a change in the ownership of effective control
of the Company (collectively, the "Excess Parachute Payments") the Company shall
pay to Executive, on demand, a cash sum sufficient (on a grossed-up basis) to
indemnify Executive and hold him harmless from the following (the "Tax Indemnity
Payment"):

                           (i)      The amount of excise tax under section 4999
         of the Code on the entire amount of the Excess Parachute Payments and
         all Tax Indemnity Payments to Executive pursuant to this subsection B:

                           (ii)     The amount of all estimated local, state,
         and federal income taxes on all Tax Indemnity Payments to Executive
         pursuant to this subsection B (determined in each case at the highest
         marginal tax rate);

                           (iii)    The amount of any fines, penalties, or
         interest that have been or potentially will be, assessed in respect of
         any excise or income tax described in the preceding clauses (a) or (b);

so the amounts of Excess Parachute Payments received by Executive will not be
diminished by an excise tax imposed under section 4999 of the Code or by any
local, state, or federal income tax payable in respect of the Tax Indemnity
Payments received by Executive pursuant to this subsection B.

         C.       Definition of Change In Control

         A "Change in Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if (i) a tender
offer shall be made and consummated for the ownership of more than 50% of the
outstanding voting securities of the Company, (ii) the Company shall be merged
or consolidated with another corporation and as a result of such merger or
consolidation less than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the
surviving or resulting corporation shall be owned in the aggregate by the former
shareholders of the Company, as the same shall have existed immediately prior to
such merger or consolidation, (iii) the Company shall sell all or substantially
all of its assets to another corporation which is not a wholly-owned subsidiary
or affiliate, including a sale approved by the Bankruptcy Court, (iv) as the
result of, or in connection with, any contested election for the Board of
Directors of the Company, or any tender or exchange offer, merger or business
combination or sale of assets, or any combination of the foregoing (a
"Transaction"), the persons who were Directors of the Company before the
Transaction


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shall cease to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company,
or any successor thereto, or (v) a person, within the meaning of Section 3(a)(9)
or of Section 13(d)(3) (as in effect on the date hereof) of the Securities and
Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act"), other than any employee benefit plan then
maintained by the Company, shall acquire more than 50% of the outstanding voting
securities of the Company (whether directly, indirectly, beneficially or of
record). For purposes hereof, ownership of voting securities shall take into
account and shall include ownership as determined by applying the provisions of
Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i)(as in effect on the date hereof) pursuant to the Exchange
Act. Notwithstanding anything else in the definition of "Change in Control" to
the contrary, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to have occurred under, or
as a result of any transaction contained or contemplated in, the Company's
chapter 11 plan.

                                   SECTION XII
                                WITHHOLDING TAXES

         The Company may directly or indirectly withhold from any payments under
this Agreement all federal, state, city or other taxes that shall be required
pursuant to any law or governmental regulation.

                                  SECTION XIII
                                PRIOR AGREEMENTS

         This Agreement contains the entire understanding between the Company
and the Executive with respect to the subject matter and supersedes any prior
employment, severance, or other similar agreements between the Company, its
predecessors and its affiliates, and the Executive.

                                   SECTION XIV
                     CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR SALE OF ASSETS

         Nothing in this Agreement shall preclude the Company from consolidating
or merging into or with, or transferring all or substantially all of its assets
to, another corporation which assumes this Agreement and all obligations and
undertakings of the company hereunder. Upon such a Consolidation, Merger or Sale
of Assets, the term "the Company" as used will mean the other corporation and
this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect. This Section XIV is not
intended to modify or limit the rights of the Executive hereunder, including
without limitation, the rights of Executive under Section XI.

                                   SECTION XV
                                  MODIFICATION

         This Agreement may not be modified or amended except in writing signed
by the parties. No term or condition of this Agreement will be deemed to have
been waived, except in Writing by the party charged with waiver. A waiver shall
operate only as to the specific term or condition waived and will not constitute
a waiver for the future or act on anything other than that which is specifically
waived.


                                      12
<PAGE>

                                   SECTION XVI
                           GOVERNING LAW; ARBITRATION

         This Agreement has been executed and delivered in the State of
Tennessee and its validity, interpretation, performance and enforcement shall be
governed by the laws of that state, excluding the laws of those jurisdictions
pertaining to resolution of conflicts with laws of other jurisdictions. If any
dispute arises between Executive and the Company with respect to this Agreement,
the parties shall submit the dispute to arbitration before a panel of
arbitrators in accordance with the Tennessee Arbitration Code. Arbitration will
be the sole and exclusive method of resolving the dispute.

         The arbitration panel will consist of one arbitrator who is mutually
acceptable to Executive and the Company, or if they cannot agree on a single
arbitrator within ten days after the effective date of the written demand for
arbitration, three arbitrators, with one arbitrator selected by the Company, the
second selected by Executive, and the third, neutral arbitrator selected by
agreement of the first two arbitrators. If the arbitration panel will consist of
three arbitrators, each party shall select an arbitrator and notify the other
party of the selection within 15 days after the effective date of the notice of
arbitration and the two arbitrators selected by the parties shall select the
third arbitrator within 30 days after the effective date of the notice of
arbitration. A party who fails to select an arbitrator within the prescribed
15-day period waives the right to select an arbitrator or to have an additional,
neutral arbitrator selected by the arbitrator selected by the other party, and
the arbitrator chosen by the other party will constitute the "arbitration panel"
for purposes of the Agreement.

         Every arbitrator must be independent (not a relative of Executive or an
officer, director, employee, or shareholder of the Company or any subsidiary)
without any economic or financial interest of any kind in the outcome of the
arbitration. Each arbitrator's conduct will be governed by the Code of Ethics
for Arbitrators in Commercial Disputes (1985) that has been approved and
recommended by the American Bar Association and the America Arbitration
Association.

         Within 120 days after the effective date of the notice arbitration, the
arbitration panel shall convene a hearing for the dispute to be held on such
date and at such time and place in Nashville, Tennessee, as the arbitration
panel designates upon 60 days' advance notice to Executive and the Company. The
arbitration panel shall render its decision within 30 days after the conclusion
of the hearing. The decision of the arbitration panel will be binding and
conclusive as to Executive and the Company and, upon the pleading of either
party, any court having jurisdiction may enter a judgment of any award rendered
in the arbitration, which may include an award of damages. The arbitration panel
shall hear and decide the dispute based on the evidence produced,
notwithstanding the failure or refusal to appear by a party who has been duly
notified of the date, time and place of the hearing.

         In an arbitration proceeding arising out of Executive's employment with
the Company, the losing party shall reimburse the prevailing party, on demand,
for all costs incurred by the prevailing party in enforcing, defending, or
prosecuting the Agreement or any claim arising out of Executive's employment
with the Company.


                                       13
<PAGE>

                                  SECTION XVII
                                     NOTICES

       All notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been made and effective on the
fifth business day after mailing, if delivered by first-class postage prepaid,
registered United States mail, with return receipt requested, or when received,
if delivered by hand, overnight delivery service or confirmed facsimile
transmission, to the following:

                  (a)      If to the Company, at:

                           PhyCor, Inc.
                           30 Burton Hills Boulevard
                           Nashville, Tennessee 37215

or at such other address as may have been furnished to the Executive by the
Company in writing in accordance with the notice provisions of this Section
XVII; or

                  (b)      If to the Executive, at
                           3120 Forrest Park Avenue
                           Nashville, Tennessee 37215

or such other address as may have been furnished to the Company by the Executive
in writing in accordance with the notice provisions of the Section XVII, with a
copy to Mark Manner, Harwell Howard Hyne Gabbert & Manner, P.C., 315 Deaderick
Street, Suite 1800, Nashville, Tennessee 37238.

                                  SECTION XVIII
                                BINDING AGREEMENT

         This Agreement shall be binding on the parties' successors, heirs and
assigns.

                                   SECTION XIX
                             PAYMENTS AFTER DEFAULT

         Without limiting the Executive's rights at law or in equity, if the
Company fails or refuses to timely pay to the Executive the benefits due under
Section VIII or XI hereof, then the compensation under Section VIII A. and XI A.
shall be increased, and the benefits under Section VIII A. and XI A. shall be
continued, in each case, by one additional day for each day of any such failure
or refusal of the Company to pay. Provided, however, that such increase and
continuation provisions shall not apply for the period of time during which the
Company fails to pay because of a good faith dispute between the parties with
respect to one or more other provisions of this Agreement, so long as it is
actively attempting to resolve such dispute. Provided, further, that in the
event Executive prevails in such dispute, such increase and continuation
provisions shall apply as


                                       14
<PAGE>
if the "good faith dispute" exception had not existed and allowed the Company to
delay making timely payments to Executive. In addition, if the Company fails to
pay to Executive when due any compensation or other cash sum provided in this
Agreement, the Company shall pay to Executive, on demand, interest on any
portion of the unpaid amount that is not paid to Executive when due, from the
date when due until paid in full, at the annual rate then provided by Tennessee
law for the payment of interest on judgments generally.

                                   SECTION XX
                    APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT BY BANKRUPTCY COURT

         In the event the Company commences the Chapter 11 Case, it will, within
20 days of such commencement, move the Bankruptcy Court for authority to assume
this Agreement pursuant to Bankruptcy Code Section 365. The failure of the
Company to timely file such a motion, or the Bankruptcy Court's refusal to
approve this Agreement, will permit Executive to terminate this Agreement for
Good Reason.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of
the date first above written.


                                    COMPANY

                                    PhyCor, Inc.



                                    By: /s/ Brandon Dyson
                                       -----------------------------------------

                                    Title: Vice President, Human Resources
                                          --------------------------------------

                                    EXECUTIVE




                                    /s/ Tarpley B. Jones
                                    -------------------------------------------
                                    Tarpley B. Jones


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