Document:

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                                                                    Exhibit 10.1

                                                                  EXECUTION COPY

                                SECOND AMENDMENT

            SECOND AMENDMENT, dated as of October 13, 2000 (this "Amendment"),
to the AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of March 26, 1999, as
amended (as amended, the "CREDIT AGREEMENT"), among COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS,
INC., a Delaware corporation (the "BORROWER"), COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS HOLDINGS
CORP., a Delaware corporation ("HOLDCO"), the several lenders from time to time
parties thereto (the "LENDERS"), THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as administrative
agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the "ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT") and
NATIONSBANK, N.A. and THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, as the co-agents for the Lenders
(collectively, the "CO-AGENTS").

                              W I T N E S S E T H :
                              - - - - - - - - - -

            WHEREAS, the Borrower, HoldCo, the Administrative Agent, the
Co-Agents and the Lenders are parties to the Credit Agreement;

            WHEREAS, the Borrower and HoldCo, have requested that the
Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders agree to amend certain provisions
of the Credit Agreement; and

            WHEREAS, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders parties hereto are
willing to agree to the requested amendments, but only upon the terms and
conditions set forth herein;

            NOW, THEREFORE, for valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and in consideration of the
premises contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

                 SECTION I. AMENDMENTS TO THE CREDIT AGREEMENT.

            1.1 DEFINED TERMS. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized
terms which are defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein as defined
therein.

            1.2 AMENDMENT TO SECTION 14. (a) Section 14 of the Credit Agreement
is hereby amended by deleting paragraph (l) therein in its entirety and
substituting, in lieu thereof, the following:

            "(l) FL Affiliates shall cease to own at least 25% of the
outstanding capital stock of HoldCo, free and clear of all Liens; or, any person
or group (other than the FL Affiliates) acquires beneficial ownership (within
the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of a percentage of the
outstanding capital stock of HoldCo greater than that percentage owned
beneficially by the FL Affiliates; or, any person or group (other than the FL
Affiliates) shall at any time have the right to designate or elect a majority of
the Board of Directors of HoldCo;"

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                           SECTION II. MISCELLANEOUS.

            2.1 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. On and as of the date hereof and
after giving effect to this Amendment, the Borrower hereby confirms, reaffirms
and restates the representations and warranties set forth in Section 10 of the
Credit Agreement MUTATIS MUTANDIS, except to the extent that such
representations and warranties expressly relate to a specific earlier date in
which case the Borrower hereby confirms, reaffirms and restates such
representations and warranties as of such earlier date, PROVIDED that the
references to the Credit Agreement in such representations and warranties shall
be deemed to refer to the Credit Agreement as amended pursuant to this
Amendment.

            2.2 CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS. This Amendment shall become
effective as of the date hereof upon the satisfaction of the conditions that (i)
the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts of this Amendment duly
executed and delivered by each of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the
Required Lenders, and (ii) HoldCo shall have issued and sold in a registered
public offering consummated on or after the effective date of this Amendment
7,500,000 shares of its common stock, the proceeds of which shall be used to
repay outstanding Loans.

            2.3 CONTINUING EFFECT; NO OTHER AMENDMENTS. Except as expressly set
forth in this Amendment, all of the terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement
are and shall remain in full force and effect and the Borrower shall continue to
be bound by all of such terms and provisions. The amendments provided for herein
are limited to the specific subsections of the Credit Agreement specified herein
and shall not constitute an amendment of, or an indication of the Administrative
Agent's or the Lenders' willingness to amend or waive, any other provisions of
the Credit Agreement or the same subsections for any other date or purpose.

            2.4 EXPENSES. The Borrower agrees to pay and reimburse the
Administrative Agent for all its reasonable costs and expenses incurred in
connection with the preparation and delivery of this Amendment, including,
without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the
Administrative Agent.

            2.5 COUNTERPARTS. This Amendment may be executed by one or more of
the parties to this Amendment on any number of separate counterparts (including
by telecopy), and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to
constitute one and the same instrument. A set of the copies of this Amendment
signed by the parties hereto shall be delivered to the Borrower and the
Administrative Agent.

            2.6 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AMENDMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF
THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND
INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD
TO THE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS THEREOF.

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

                                 COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.

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

                                 COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS HOLDINGS
                                   CORP.

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

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                                 THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as
                                  Administrative Agent and as a Lender

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

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                                 BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Co-Agent and as
                                  a Lender

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

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                                 THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, as Co-Agent
                                  and as a Lender

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

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                                 AERIES-II FINANCE LTD., as a Lender

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

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                                 AIMCO CDO SERIES 2000-A, as a Lender

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

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                                 ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, as a Lender

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

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

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                                 ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE CO., as a Lender

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

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

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                                 AMSOUTH BANK OF ALABAMA, as a Lender

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

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                                 APEX (IDM) CDO I, Ltd., as a Lender

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

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                                 BHF (USA) CAPITAL CORPORATION, as a
                                  Lender

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

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

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                                 BANK AUSTRIA CREDITANSTALT CORPORATE
                                 FINANCE, INC., as a Lender

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

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

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                                 BANK ONE, NA, as a Lender

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

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                                 BANK OF AMERICA, as a Lender

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

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                                 THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as a Lender

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

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                                 BANKBOSTON, N.A., as a Lender

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

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                                 CAPTIVA FINANCE LTD., as a Lender

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

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                                 CERES FINANCE, LTD., as a Lender

                                 by: Stanfield Capital Partners LLC

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

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                                 CITADELL HILL 2000 Ltd.,
                                 as a Lender

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

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                                 CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH,
                                 as a Lender

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

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

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                                 ELC (CAYMAN) LTD., as a Lender

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

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                                 ELC (CAYMAN) LTD. 1999-II,
                                 as a Lender

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

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                                 ELC (CAYMAN) LTD. 1999-III,
                                 as a Lender

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

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                                 ELC (CAYMAN) LTD. 2000-1,
                                 as a Lender

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

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                                 ELC (CAYMAN) LTD. CDO SERIES 1999-I,
                                 as a Lender

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

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                                 FIRST DOMINION FUNDING II, as a Lender

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

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                                 FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON,
                                 as a Lender

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

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                                 FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK N.C., as a Lender

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

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                                 FLOATING RATE PORTFOLIO, as a Lender

                                 By:  INVESCO Senior Secured Management, Inc.,
                                 as attorney in fact

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

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                                 GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL
                                 CORPORATION, as a Lender

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

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                                 GIBRALTAR, LTD., as a Lender

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

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                                 HSBC BANK USA, as a Lender

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

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                                 INDUSTRIAL BANK OF JAPAN, LTD.,
                                 as a Lender

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

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                                 JACKSON NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE
                                 COMPANY, as a Lender

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

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                                 KZH ING-1 LLC, as a Lender

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

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                                 KZH ING-2 LLC, as a Lender

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

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                                 KZH STERLING LLC, as a Lender

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

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                                 KEYPORT LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, as a
                                 Lender

                                 By: Stein Roe & Farnham Incorporated, as Agent

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

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                                 LEHMAN COMMERCIAL PAPER INC., as a Lender

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

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                                 LIBERTY-STEIN ROE ADV. FLOATING RATE,
                                 as a Lender

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

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                                 MSDW PRIME INCOME TRUST, as a Lender

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

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                                 MAGNETITE ASSET INVESTORS,
                                 as a Lender

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

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                                 MASS MUTUAL HIGH YIELD PARTNERS II, LLC,
                                 as a Lender

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

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                                 MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE
                                 COMPANY, as a Lender

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

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                                 MERRILL LYNCH PRIME RATE PORTFOLIO,
                                 as a Lender

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

<Page>

                                 MERRILL LYNCH SENIOR FLOATING RATE
                                 FUND, INC., as a Lender

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

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                                 THE MITSUBISHI TRUST AND BANKING
                                 CORPORATION, as a Lender

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

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                                 NATEXIS BANQUE POPULAIRES, as a Lender

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

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                                 NATIONAL CITY BANK OF KENTUCKY, as a
                                 Lender

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

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                                 NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY,
                                 as a Lender

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

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                                 NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY
                                 CORPORATION, as a Lender

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

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                                 NUVEEN SENIOR INCOME FUND, as a Lender

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

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                                 OASIS COLLATERAL HIGH INCOME
                                 PORTFOLIO-1, as a Lender

                                 By: INVESCO Senior Secured Management, Inc.,
                                 as Subadvisor

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

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                                 OCTAGON INVESTMENT PARTNERS II, LLC,
                                 as a Lender

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

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                                 OCTAGON INVESTMENT PARTNERS III, LTD.
                                 as a Lender

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

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                                 PNC BANK, KENTUCKY, INC.,
                                 as a Lender

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

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                                 PARIBAS, as a Lender

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

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                                 PILGRIM AMERICAN HIGH INCOME
                                 INVESTMENT LTD., as a Lender

                                 By: Pilgrim Investments, Inc., as its
                                 investment manager

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

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                                 PILGRIM CLO 1999-1 LTD.,
                                 as a Lender

                                 By: Pilgrim Investments, Inc., as its
                                 investment manager

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

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                                 PILGRIM PRIME RATE INCOME TRUST,
                                 as a Lender

                                 By: Pilgrim Investments, Inc., as its
                                 investment manager

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

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                                 SAAR HOLDINGS CDO, LIMITED,
                                 as a Lender

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

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                                 SEQUILS - PILGRIM I, LTD.,
                                 as a Lender

                                 By: Pilgrim Investments, Inc., as its
                                 investment manager

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

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                                 SPS SWAPS, as a Lender

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

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                                 SRF 2000 LLC, as a Lender

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

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                                 SRF TRADING, INC., as a Lender

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

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                                 SENECA CBO II L.P., as a Lender

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

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                                 SENIOR DEBT PORTFOLIO, as a Lender

                                 By: Boston Management and Research,
                                 as Investment Advisor

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

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                                 SIMSBURY CLO, LIMITED,
                                 as a Lender

                                 By:  MassMutual Life Insurance

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

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                                 SKANDINAVISKA ENSILDA BANKEN,
                                 as a Lender

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

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                                 STANFIELD CLO, LTD.,
                                 as a Lender

                                 By: Stanfield Capital Partners LLC

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

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                                 STANFIELD\RMF TRANSATLANTIC CDO, LTD.,
                                 as a Lender

                                 By: Stanfield Capital Partners LLC

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

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                                 STEIN ROE & FARNHAM CLO I LTD.,
                                 as a Lender

                                 By: Stein Roe & Farnham Incorporated, as
                                 Portfolio Manager

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

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                                 STEIN ROE FLOATING RATE LLC,
                                 as a Lender

                                 By: Stein Roe & Farnham Incorporated, as
                                 Portfolio Manager

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

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                                 STRATA FUNDING LIMITED,
                                 as a Lender

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

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                                 SWAPS CSLT, as a Lender

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

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                                 VAN KAMPEN CLO I, LIMITED,
                                 as a Lender

                                 By: Van Kampen Management Inc., as Collateral
                                 Manager

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

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                                 VAN KAMPEN CLO II, LIMITED,
                                 as a Lender

                                 By: Van Kampen Management Inc., as Collateral
                                 Manager

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

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                                 VAN KAMPEN PRIME RATE INCOME TRUST
                                 as a Lender

                                 By: Van Kampen Management Inc., as Collateral
                                 Manager

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

<Page>

                                 VAN KAMPEN SENIOR INCOME TRUST
                                 as a Lender

                                 By: Van Kampen Management Inc., as Collateral
                                 Manager

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

<Page>

                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                                 THIRD AMENDMENT

            THIRD AMENDMENT, dated as of July 19, 2001 (this "THIRD Amendment"),
representing an amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as
of March 26, 1999 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the "CREDIT
AGREEMENT"), among CHS/COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC., a Delaware corporation
and formerly known as Community Health Systems, Inc. (the "BORROWER"), COMMUNITY
HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC., a Delaware corporation and formerly known as Community
Health Systems Holdings Corp. ("HOLDCO"), the several lenders from time to time
parties thereto (the "LENDERS"), THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as administrative
agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the "ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT") and BANK OF
AMERICA, N.A. and THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, as the co-agents for the Lenders
(collectively, the "CO-AGENTS").

                              W I T N E S S E T H :
                              - - - - - - - - - -

            WHEREAS, the Borrower, HoldCo, the Administrative Agent, the
Co-Agents and the Lenders are parties to the Credit Agreement;

            WHEREAS, the Borrower and HoldCo have requested that the
Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders agree to amend certain provisions
of the Credit Agreement; and

            WHEREAS, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders parties hereto are
willing to agree to the requested amendments, but only upon the terms and
conditions set forth herein;

            NOW, THEREFORE, for valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and in consideration of the
premises contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

            1. DEFINED TERMS. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms
which are defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein as defined therein.

            2. Amendment to Subsection 1.1 (Defined Terms). (a) Subsection 1.1
of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting in their respective
entireties definitions in such subsection for the following defined terms and
substituting, in lieu thereof, the following definitions:

            "ACQUISITION LOAN COMMITMENT PERCENTAGE": as to any Lender at any
      time, the percentage which such Lender's Acquisition Loan Commitment
      constitutes of all such Acquisition Loan Commitments (or, if the
      Acquisition Loan Commitments shall have been terminated, the percentage of
      the outstanding Acquisition Loans constituted by such Lender's Acquisition
      Loans), it being understood that such percentage shall be appropriately
      adjusted as of the date of any reduction in the Acquisition Loan

<Page>

      Commitments of the Non-Extending Acquisition Loan Lenders or the First
      Extending Acquisition Loan Lenders to reflect such reduction.

            "ACQUISITION LOAN COMMITMENT PERIOD": (a) with respect to any
      Non-Extending Acquisition Loan Lender or First Extending Acquisition Loan
      Lender, the period from and including the Original Closing Date to but not
      including the Original Acquisition Loan Termination Date, and (b) with
      respect to any Second Extending Acquisition Loan Lender, the period from
      and including the Original Closing Date to but not including the Extended
      Acquisition Loan Termination Date.

            "ACQUISITION LOAN TERMINATION DATE": as to any Non-Extending
      Acquisition Loan Lender or First Extending Acquisition Loan Lender, the
      Original Acquisition Loan Termination Date, and as to any Second Extending
      Acquisition Loan Lender, the Extended Acquisition Loan Termination Date,
      as the case may be.

            "REVOLVING CREDIT COMMITMENT PERIOD": (a) with respect to any
      Non-Extending Revolving Credit Lender, the period from and including the
      Original Closing Date to but not including the Non-Extended Revolving
      Credit Termination Date and, (b) with respect to any Extending Revolving
      Credit Lender, the period from and including the original Closing Date to
      but not including the Extended Revolving Credit Termination Date.

            "REVOLVING CREDIT TERMINATION DATE": as to any Non-Extending
      Revolving Credit Lender, the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Termination
      Date, and as to any Extending Revolving Credit Lender, the Extended
      Revolving Credit Termination Date, as the case may be.

            (b) Subsection 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by
deleting paragraph (B) in the definition of "Interest Period" in such subsection
in its entirety and substituting, in lieu thereof, the following:

            (B) any Interest Period with respect to any Revolving Credit Loan or
      Acquisition Loan that would otherwise extend beyond the Revolving Credit
      Termination Date of any Lender or the Acquisition Loan Termination Date of
      any Lender, as the case may be, shall end on such Revolving Credit
      Termination Date or Acquisition Loan Termination Date, as the case may be,
      or if such Revolving Credit Termination Date or Acquisition Loan
      Termination Date, as the case may be, shall not be a Working Day, on the
      next preceding Working Day;

            (c) Subsection 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by
deleting paragraph (a) in the definition of "Applicable Margin" in such
subsection in its entirety and substituting, in lieu thereof, the following:

            (a) (i) for each Revolving Credit Loan (other than any Revolving
      Credit Loan held by an Extending Revolving Credit Lender after the Third
      Amendment Effective Date), Tranche A Term Loan, Acquisition Loan (other
      than any Acquisition Loan held by a Second Extending Acquisition Loan
      Lender after the Third Amendment Effective Date) and Swing Line Loan (with
      respect to ABR only) (other than a Swing Line Loan after the Third
      Amendment Effective Date) for each day, the rate per annum for the
      relevant Type

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      of such Loan set forth below opposite the Applicable Level in effect on
      such day and (ii) for each Revolving Credit Loan held by any Extending
      Revolving Credit Lender, Acquisition Loan held by any Second Extending
      Acquisition Loan Lender and Swing Line Loan (with respect to ABR only) for
      each day after the Third Amendment Effective Date, the rate per annum for
      the relevant Type of such Loan set forth below opposite the Applicable
      Level in effect on such day plus 0.50%:

<Table>
<Caption>

                                   ABR Loan              Eurodollar Loan
                                   --------              ---------------
<S>                                <C>                   <C>
            Level 1                1.50%                 2.50%
            Level 2                1.25%                 2.25%
            Level 3                1.00%                 2.00%
            Level 4                0.75%                 1.75%
            Level 5                0.50%                 1.50%
</Table>

            (d) Subsection 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by
adding alphabetically therein the following definitions:

            "EXTENDED ACQUISITION LOAN TERMINATION DATE": the earlier of (i)
      January 2, 2004 and (ii) any other date on which the Acquisition Loan
      Commitments shall terminate hereunder.

            "EXTENDED REVOLVING CREDIT TERMINATION DATE": the earlier of (i)
      January 2, 2004 and (ii) any other date on which the Revolving Credit
      Commitments shall terminate hereunder.

            "EXTENDING REVOLVING CREDIT LENDERS": the Lenders with Revolving
      Credit Commitments that consent to the Third Amendment in accordance with
      the terms thereof.

            "FIRST EXTENDED ACQUISITION LOAN COMMITMENT": as to any First
      Extending Acquisition Loan Lender, its Acquisition Loan Commitment.

            "FIRST EXTENDING ACQUISITION LOAN LENDERS": the Lenders with
      Acquisition Loan Commitments that are listed on Schedule 1 (as in effect
      on the records of the Administrative Agent immediately prior to the Third
      Amendment Effective Date) as having Extended Acquisition Loan Commitments
      and that do not consent to the Third Amendment in accordance with the
      terms thereof.

            "NON-EXTENDED ACQUISITION LOAN COMMITMENT": as to any Non-Extending
      Acquisition Loan Lender, its Acquisition Loan Commitment."

            "NON-EXTENDING ACQUISITION LOAN LENDERS": the Lenders with
      Acquisition Loan Commitments that are listed on Schedule 1 (as in effect
      on the records of the Administrative Agent immediately prior to the Third
      Amendment Effective Date) as having Non-Extended Acquisition Loan
      Commitments and that do not consent to the Third Amendment in accordance
      with the terms thereof.

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            "NON-EXTENDING REVOLVING CREDIT LENDERS": the Lenders with Revolving
      Credit Commitments that do not consent to the Third Amendment in
      accordance with the terms thereof.

            "NON-EXTENDED REVOLVING CREDIT TERMINATION DATE": the earlier of (i)
      December 31, 2002 and (ii) any other date on which the Revolving Credit
      Commitments shall terminate hereunder.

            "ORIGINAL ACQUISITION LOAN TERMINATION DATE": the earlier of (i)
      December 31, 2002 and (ii) any other date on which the Acquisition Loan
      Commitments shall terminate hereunder.

            "SECOND EXTENDED ACQUISITION LOAN COMMITMENT": as to any Second
      Extending Acquisition Loan Lender, its Acquisition Loan Commitment.

            "SECOND EXTENDING ACQUISITION LOAN LENDERS": the Lenders with
      Acquisition Loan Commitments listed on Schedule 1 (as in effect on the
      records of the Administrative Agent immediately prior to the Third
      Amendment Effective Date) under the heading "Non-Extended Acquisition Loan
      Commitment" or "Extended Acquisition Loan Commitment" that consent to the
      Third Amendment in accordance with the terms thereof.

            "THIRD AMENDMENT": the Third Amendment dated as of July 19, 2001 to
      this Agreement.

            "THIRD AMENDMENT EFFECTIVE DATE": as defined in section 16 of the
      Third Amendment.

            3. AMENDMENT TO SUBSECTION 6.3 (ISSUANCE OF LETTERS OF CREDIT).
Subsection 6.3 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting paragraph
(b) of such subsection in its entirety and substituting, in lieu thereof, the
following:

            (b) Each Letter of Credit issued hereunder shall, among other
      things, (i) be in such form requested by the Company as shall be
      acceptable to the Issuing Lender in its sole discretion and (ii) have an
      expiry date, in the case of each Standby L/C, other than Existing Letters
      of Credit, occurring not later than the earlier of (w) 365 days after the
      date of issuance of such Standby L/C and (x) the Extended Revolving Credit
      Termination Date, and, in the case of each Commercial L/C, occurring not
      later than the earlier of (y) 180 days after the date of issuance of such
      Commercial L/C; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that at the request of the Company and
      upon the consent, in its sole and absolute discretion, of the Issuing
      Lender issuing such Commercial L/C, such date may be up to 360 days after
      the date of issuance of such Commercial L/C and (z) the Extended Revolving
      Credit Termination Date. Each L/C Application and each Letter of Credit
      shall be subject to the Uniform Customs and, to the extent not
      inconsistent therewith, the laws of the State of New York.

<Page>

            4. AMENDMENT TO SECTION 6 (AMOUNT AND TERMS OF REVOLVING CREDIT
COMMITMENTS). Section 6 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by adding
subsection 6.9 thereto as follows:

            6.9 PAYMENTS ON DECEMBER 31, 2002. On the Non-Extended Revolving
      Credit Termination Date (if such date is not also the Extended Revolving
      Credit Termination Date) the Company shall make a prepayment of the
      Revolving Credit Loans of the Extending Revolving Credit Lenders in the
      aggregate amount (if any) as may be necessary to reduce the Aggregate
      Revolving Credit Extensions of Credit of the Extending Revolving Credit
      Lenders to an amount equal to their aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments
      on such date, after giving effect to any payments on such date of the
      Revolving Credit Loans of the Non-Extending Revolving Credit Lenders and,
      as provided in the next succeeding sentence, the release of their
      liabilities in respect of Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans. On such
      date, so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing
      and so long as any prepayment contemplated by the immediate preceding
      sentence of the Revolving Credit Loans of the Extending Revolving Credit
      Lenders has been made, the Non-Extending Revolving Credit Lenders shall be
      released from all liability in respect of the Letters of Credit and the
      Swing Line Loans.

            5. AMENDMENT TO SUBSECTION 7.2 (MANDATORY REDUCTION OF ACQUISITION
LOAN COMMITMENTS). Subsection 7.2 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by
deleting subsection 7.2 in its entirety and substituting, in lieu thereof, the
following:

            7.2 MANDATORY REDUCTION OF ACQUISITION LOANS. On each anniversary of
      the Original Closing Date as set forth on Schedule 7.2(a) or 7.2(b), as
      the case may be, (a) the First Extended Acquisition Loan Commitments shall
      automatically be permanently reduced to, and each Lender's First Extended
      Acquisition Loan Commitment shall be permanently reduced to an amount
      equal to such Lender's First Extended Acquisition Loan Commitment
      Percentage of, the amount set forth on Schedule 7.2(a) and (b) the
      Non-Extended Acquisition Loan Commitments shall automatically be
      permanently reduced to, and each Lender's Non-Extended Acquisition Loan
      Commitment shall be permanently reduced to an amount equal to such
      Lender's Non-Extended Acquisition Loan Commitment Percentage of, the
      amount set forth on Schedule 7.2(b); provided, however, that if prior to
      any of the dates specified in Schedules 7.2(a) or 7.2(b), the First
      Extended Acquisition Loan Commitments or the Non-Extended Acquisition Loan
      Commitments shall have been permanently reduced pursuant to subsection 8.4
      or 8.6 to an amount less than the amount to which the First Extended
      Acquisition Loan Commitments or the Non-Extended Acquisition Loan
      Commitments, as the case may be, are required to be reduced on such date
      pursuant to such Schedule, the relevant Acquisition Loan Commitments shall
      as of such date continue to be such lesser amount. If at the time of any
      such mandatory reduction of the First Extended Acquisition Loan
      Commitments or the Non-Extended Acquisition Loan Commitments the aggregate
      principal amount of the First Extended Acquisition Loans or the
      Non-Extended Acquisition Loans, as the case may be, then outstanding
      exceeds the First Extended Acquisition Loan Commitments or the
      Non-Extended Acquisition Loan Commitments, as the case may be, as so
      reduced on such date, the Company shall on such date prepay the

<Page>

      relevant Acquisition Loans in the amount of such excess, together with
      accrued interest thereon to the date of payment. The Second Extended
      Acquisition Loan Commitments shall not be subject to any scheduled
      mandatory reductions.

            6. AMENDMENT TO SUBSECTION 8.2 (REPAYMENT OF LOANS; EVIDENCE OF
DEBT). Subsection 8.2 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting
paragraph (a) of such subsection in its entirety and substituting, in lieu
thereof, the following:

            (a) The Company hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the
      Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender (i) the then unpaid
      principal amount of each Revolving Credit Loan of such Lender on (if such
      Lender is a Non-Extending Revolving Credit Lender) the Non-Extended
      Revolving Credit Termination Date or (if such Lender is an Extending
      Revolving Credit Lender) the Extended Revolving Credit Termination Date
      (or such earlier date on which the Revolving Credit Loans become due and
      payable pursuant to Section 14), (ii) the then unpaid principal amount of
      each Acquisition Loan of such Lender on (if such Lender is a Non-Extending
      Acquisition Loan Lender or a First Extending Acquisition Loan Lender) the
      Original Acquisition Loan Termination Date or (if such Lender is a Second
      Extending Acquisition Loan Lender) the Extended Acquisition Loan
      Termination Date (or such earlier date on which the Acquisition Loans
      become due and payable pursuant to Section 14), and (iii) the principal
      amount of the Term Loan of such Lender, in accordance with the applicable
      amortization schedule set forth in subsections 2.2, 3.2, 4.2 and 5.2 (or
      the then unpaid principal amount of such Term Loans, on the date that any
      or all of the Term Loans become due and payable pursuant to Section 14).
      The Company hereby further agrees to pay interest on the unpaid principal
      amount of the Loans from time to time outstanding from the date hereof
      until payment in full thereof at the rates per annum, and on the dates,
      set forth in subsection 8.7.

            7. AMENDMENT TO SUBSECTION 8.9 (COMMITMENT FEES). Subsection 8.9 of
the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting subsection 8.9 in its
entirety and substituting, in lieu thereof, the following:

            8.9 COMMITMENT FEES. The Company agrees to pay to the Administrative
      Agent, (i) for the account of each Lender (other than any Extending
      Revolving Credit Lender or Second Extending Acquisition Loan Lender), a
      commitment fee from and including the Closing Date to but excluding the
      later of the Revolving Credit Termination Date and the Acquisition Loan
      Termination Date on the sum of such Lender's Available Revolving Credit
      Commitment and Available Acquisition Loan Commitment outstanding from time
      to time, at the rate per annum for each day during the period for which
      payment is made set forth opposite the Applicable Level on such day, and
      (ii) for the account of each Extending Revolving Credit Lender and Second
      Extending Acquisition Loan Lender, a commitment fee from and including the
      Third Amendment Effective Date to but excluding the later of the Extended
      Revolving Credit Termination Date and the Extended Acquisition Loan
      Termination Date on the sum of such Lender's Available Revolving Credit
      Commitment and Available Acquisition Loan Commitment outstanding from time
      to time, at the rate per annum for each day during the period for which

<Page>

      payment is made set forth opposite the Applicable Level on such day plus,
      for each of Levels 3 and 4, 0.125%:

<Table>
<Caption>

                Applicable Level                      Commitment Fee
                ----------------                      --------------
<S>                                                       <C>
                   Level 1                                .500%
                   Level 2                                .500%
                   Level 3                                .375%
                   Level 4                                .375%
                   Level 5                                .375%
</Table>

      The commitment fee provided for in this subsection 8.9 shall be payable
      quarterly in arrears on the last day of each fiscal quarter and on the
      Revolving Credit Termination Date or Extended Revolving Credit Termination
      Date, as the case may be, with respect to the Available Revolving Credit
      Commitments and on the Acquisition Loan Termination Date or Extended
      Acquisition Loan Termination Date, as the case may be, with respect to the
      Available Acquisition Loan Commitments.

            8. AMENDMENT TO SUBSECTION 8.11(A) (LETTER OF CREDIT FEES).
Subsection 8.11(a) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the
first paragraph of such subsection in its entirety and substituting, in lieu
thereof, the following:

            (a) In lieu of any letter of credit commissions and fees provided
      for in any L/C Application relating to Letters of Credit (other than
      standard administrative issuance, amendment and negotiation fees), the
      Company agrees to pay the Administrative Agent a Letter of Credit fee, for
      the account of the Issuing Lender and the Participating Lenders, (i) with
      respect to each Standby L/C, on the average outstanding amount available
      to be drawn under each Standby L/C at a rate per annum equal to the
      Applicable Margin for Revolving Credit Loans which are Eurodollar Loans in
      effect at such time, whether or not there are any such Eurodollar Loans
      outstanding at such time, payable in arrears, on the last day of each
      fiscal quarter of the Company and on the Revolving Credit Termination Date
      or the Extended Revolving Credit Termination Date as the case may be and
      (ii) with respect to each Commercial L/C, on the aggregate face amount of
      each Commercial L/C at a rate equal to the Applicable Margin for Revolving
      Credit Loans which are Eurodollar Loans in effect at such time, whether or
      not there are any such Eurodollar Loans outstanding at such time, payable
      on the date such Commercial L/C is issued. After the Third Amendment
      Effective Date, the Letter of Credit fees payable for the benefit of the
      Non-Extending Revolving Credit Lenders and Extending Revolving Credit
      Lenders, respectively, shall be as provided in the definition of
      "Applicable Margin" in subsection 1.1.

            9. AMENDMENT TO SUBSECTION 8.18 (PRO RATA TREATMENT AND PAYMENTS).
Subsection 8.18(a) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by adding the
following clause to the end of the second sentence of such subsection:

      , provided that (i) so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and
      be continuing, the Company may pay the principal of the Revolving Credit
      Loans of the Non-Extending Revolving Credit Lenders on or after the
      Non-Extended

<Page>

      Revolving Credit Termination Date without making any equivalent payment of
      principal of the Revolving Credit Loans of the Extending Revolving Credit
      Lenders, (ii) so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be
      continuing, the Company may make payments of principal of the Acquisition
      Loans of the Non-Extending Acquisition Lenders or the First Extending
      Acquisition Lenders without making any equivalent payment of principal of
      the Acquisition Loans of the other Acquisition Lenders in order to reduce
      the principal of the Acquisition Loans of such Non-Extending Acquisition
      Lenders or such First Extending Acquisition Lenders to the amount of their
      Acquisition Loan Commitments as of the date of any scheduled reduction of
      the Non-Extended Acquisition Loan Commitments or the First Extended
      Acquisition Loan Commitments or to pay in full the principal of its
      Acquisition Loans on the Original Acquisition Loan Termination Date, (iii)
      and on the Third Amendment Effective Date, borrowings under the
      Acquisition Loan Commitments shall be made from among the Acquisition Loan
      Lenders in order to make the ratio of the Acquisition Loans of each
      Acquisition Loan Lender to its Acquisition Loan Commitment as close as
      practicable to the ratio thereof for the other Acquisition Loan Lenders
      and (iv) on and after the Third Amendment Effective Date, payments of
      interest on the Revolving Credit Loans and the Acquisition Loans shall be
      made PRO RATA according to the respective amounts of interest owing to the
      Lenders who have made Revolving Credit Loans or Acquisition Loans, as the
      case may be.

            10. AMENDMENT TO SUBSECTION 13.2 (INDEBTEDNESS). Subsection 13.2 of
the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by:

            (a) deleting paragraph (k) of such subsection in its entirety and
substituting, in lieu thereof, the following:

            (k) Indebtedness on any date of the Company or any of its
      Subsidiaries assumed or issued in connection with a Permitted Acquisition
      (or, in the case of any Permitted Acquisition involving the purchase of
      capital stock or other equity interests in any Person, Indebtedness of
      such Person remaining outstanding after such Permitted Acquisition) and
      any extension or renewal thereof, PROVIDED that the aggregate principal
      amount of any such Indebtedness assumed or issued after the Third
      Amendment Effective Date, together with the aggregate amount of net
      investments made after the Third Amendment Effective Date in Permitted
      Acquisitions pursuant to subsection 13.7(l) (and calculated as at such
      date as provided herein), shall not exceed $500,000,000.

            11. AMENDMENT TO SUBSECTION 13.4 (LIMITATION ON CONTINGENT
OBLIGATIONS). Subsection 13.4 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by
adding paragraph (g) thereto as follows:

            (g) Contingent Obligations in respect of any accounts receivable
      sold or otherwise disposed of pursuant to subsection 13.6(a)(ii).

<Page>

            12. AMENDMENT TO SUBSECTION 13.6 (PROHIBITION ON SALE OF ASSETS).
Subsection 13.6 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting paragraph
(a) of such subsection in its entirety and substituting, in lieu thereof, the
following:

            (a) for the sale or other disposition of (i) any tangible personal
      property that, in the reasonable judgment of the Company, has become
      uneconomic, obsolete or worn out, and which is disposed of in the ordinary
      course of business or (ii) any accounts receivable of the Company or any
      of its Subsidiaries more than 180 days past due or are written-off at the
      time of such sale or disposition or any self-pay accounts receivable of
      the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that are determined by the Company
      to be unabled to be paid in full within 150 days of the related service
      date, PROVIDED that the face value of such sold or disposed of accounts
      receivable shall not exceed $50,000,000 in the aggregate;

            13. AMENDMENT TO SUBSECTION 13.7 (LIMITATION ON INVESTMENTS, LOANS
AND ADVANCES). Subsection 13.7 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by
deleting paragraph (l) of such subsection in its entirety and substituting, in
lieu thereof, the following:

            (l) the Company and its Subsidiaries may make Permitted Acquisitions
      and may make loans or advances to, or acquisitions or investments in,
      other Persons in connection with or pursuant to the terms of Permitted
      Acquisitions, PROVIDED that the consideration paid by the Company or any
      of its Subsidiaries in all such transactions after the Third Amendment
      Effective Date (net, in the case of loans, advances, investments and other
      transfers of any repayments or return of capital in respect thereof
      actually received in cash by the Company or its Subsidiaries (net of
      applicable taxes) after the Third Amendment Effective Date and excluding
      consideration delivered by the Company or its Subsidiaries in any Asset
      Exchange permitted under Section 13.6(h)) does not exceed in the
      aggregate, when added to the principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding
      as permitted pursuant to subsection 13.2(k) and incurred after the Third
      Amendment Effective Date, $500,000,000;

            14. AMENDMENT TO SUBSECTION 13.9 (LIMITATION ON DIVIDENDS).
Subsection 13.9 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting paragraph
(c) of such subsection in its entirety and substituting, in lieu thereof, the
following:

            (c) so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred or would
      occur after giving effect to such declaration or payment, the Company may,
      from time to time, declare and pay cash dividends to HoldCo on the common
      stock of the Company; PROVIDED that the proceeds of such dividends shall
      be used within 30 days of the receipt of such dividends by HoldCo to
      repurchase HoldCo stock from management employees of HoldCo or any of its
      Subsidiaries and, PROVIDED FURTHER, that the aggregate amount of such cash
      dividends paid after the Third Amendment Effective Date does not exceed
      $10,000,000, as such amount may be increased by the proceeds of any
      additional HoldCo capital stock which is issued after the Third Amendment
      Effective Date to any management employees of HoldCo or any of its
      Subsidiaries so long as such proceeds are contributed by HoldCo to the
      capital of the Company; and

<Page>

            15. AMENDMENT TO SECTION 14 (EVENTS OF DEFAULT). Section 14 of the
Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting paragraph (k) of such section in
its entirety and substituting, in lieu thereof, the following:

            (k) HoldCo shall cease to own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the
      issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company, free and clear of all
      Liens (other than the Lien granted pursuant to the HoldCo Pledge
      Agreement), or HoldCo shall conduct, transact or otherwise engage in any
      business or operations, incur, create, assume or suffer to exist any
      Indebtedness, Contingent Obligations or other liabilities or obligations
      or Liens (other than pursuant to any of the Credit Documents), or own,
      lease, manage or otherwise operate any properties or assets, other than
      (1) incident to the ownership of the Pledged Stock and the Pledged Note
      (as such terms are defined in the HoldCo Pledge Agreement), (2) as
      permitted by this Agreement, (3) incident to the ownership of capital
      stock or other equity interests in any person to the extent (i) the
      acquisition thereof by the Company would constitute a Permitted
      Acquisition and (ii) such capital stock or equity interests are
      contributed to the Company promptly following HoldCo's acquisition thereof
      and (4) the making of the Subordinated Loan or the issuance of the
      Subordinated HoldCo Debentures and (5) to the extent necessary to effect
      the IPO and subsequent offerings or issuances of shares of common stock of
      HoldCo and other transactions customarily incident thereto; or

            16. CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS THIRD AMENDMENT. This Third
Amendment shall become effective upon the satisfaction of the following
conditions precedent (such date, the "THIRD AMENDMENT EFFECTIVE DATE"):

            (a) the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts of
this Third Amendment duly executed and delivered by each of the Borrower, HoldCo
and the Administrative Agent, consented to by the Required Lenders (including
each Extending Revolving Credit Lender and each Second Extending Acquisition
Loan Lender), and

            (b) the Administrative Agent shall have received, dated the Third
Amendment Effective Date and addressed to the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders, legal opinions of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson, special
counsel to HoldCo and the Borrower, and from the internal counsel to HoldCo and
the Borrower, in each case in form and substance satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent.

<Page>

            17. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. On and as of the date hereof and
after giving effect to this Third Amendment, the Borrower hereby confirms,
reaffirms and restates the representations and warranties set forth in Section
10 of the Credit Agreement mutatis mutandis, except to the extent that such
representations and warranties expressly relate to a specific earlier date in
which case the Borrower hereby confirms, reaffirms and restates such
representations and warranties as of such earlier date, provided that the
references to the Credit Agreement in such representations and warranties shall
be deemed to refer to the Credit Agreement as amended pursuant to this
Amendment.

            18. SCHEDULE 1. Promptly following the Third Amendment Effective
Date, the Administrative Agent shall furnish to the Borrower and each of the
Lenders a schedule setting forth the Revolving Credit Commitments of the
Extending Revolving Credit Lenders and the Non-Extending Revolving Credit
Lenders and the respective Acquisition Loan Commitments of the Second Extending
Acquisition Loan Lenders, First Extending Acquisition Loan Lenders and the
Non-Extending Acquisition Loan Lenders.

            19. CONTINUING EFFECT; NO OTHER AMENDMENTS. Except as expressly set
forth in this Third Amendment, all of the terms and provisions of the Credit
Agreement are and shall remain in full force and effect and the Borrower shall
continue to be bound by all of such terms and provisions. The amendments
provided for herein are limited to the specific subsections of the Credit
Agreement specified herein and shall not constitute an amendment of, or an
indication of the Administrative Agent's or the Lenders' willingness to amend or
waive, any other provisions of the Credit Agreement or the same subsections for
any other date or purpose.

            20. EXPENSES. The Borrower agrees to pay and reimburse the
Administrative Agent for all its reasonable costs and expenses incurred in
connection with the preparation and delivery of this Third Amendment, including,
without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the
Administrative Agent.

            21. COUNTERPARTS. This Third Amendment may be executed by one or
more of the parties to this Third Amendment on any number of separate
counterparts (including by telecopy), and all of said counterparts taken
together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. A set of the
copies of this Third Amendment signed by the parties hereto shall be delivered
to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent. The execution and delivery of this
Third Amendment by any Lender shall be binding upon each of its successors and
assigns (including Transferees of its commitments and Loans in whole or in part
prior to effectiveness hereof) and binding in respect of all of its commitments
and Loans, including any acquired subsequent to its execution and delivery
hereof and prior to the effectiveness hereof.

            22. GOVERNING LAW. THIS THIRD AMENDMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND
OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS THIRD AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
WITHOUT REGARD TO THE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS THEREOF.

<Page>

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Third Amendment to
be executed and delivered by their respective duly authorized officers as of the
date first above written.

                                    CHS/COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.

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

                                    COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.

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

                                    THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as
                                    Administrative Agent and Issuing Lender

                                    By:
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:<Page>

                                                                    Exhibit 10.1

                       FIFTH AMENDMENT OF CREDIT AGREEMENT

     THIS FIFTH AMENDMENT OF CREDIT AGREEMENT (this "AMENDMENT") is entered
into, effective as of June 30, 2001, between PROTECTION ONE ALARM MONITORING,
INC., a Delaware corporation ("BORROWER"), each of the Persons which is a
signatory to this Amendment (collectively, "LENDERS"), and WESTAR INDUSTRIES,
INC., as Administrative Agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, together with
its successors in such capacity, "ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT").

                                 R E C I T A L S

     A. Borrower, Lenders and Administrative Agent entered into the Credit
Agreement dated as of December 21, 1998 (as renewed, extended, modified, and
amended from time to time, the "CREDIT AGREEMENT"; capitalized terms used herein
shall, unless otherwise indicated, have the respective meanings set forth in the
Credit Agreement), providing for a revolving credit facility in the original
maximum principal amount of $500,000,000.

     B. Pursuant to a letter agreement dated as of September 30, 1999, Borrower
reduced the Total Commitment to $250,000,000.

     C. The Lenders and the Administrative Agent entered into that certain
Assignment and Acceptance dated December 17, 1999 wherein the Administrative
Agent and the Lenders assigned all of their rights and obligations under the
Credit Agreement to Westar Industries, Inc. (f/k/a Westar Capital, Inc.).

     D. Borrower, Lender and Administrative Agent entered into a Second
Amendment of Credit Agreement effective as of February 29, 2000, a Third
Amendment of Credit Agreement effective as of January 2, 2001, and a Fourth
Amendment of Credit Agreement effective as of March 2, 2001, pursuant to which
certain provisions of the Credit Agreement were amended.

     E. Borrower, Lender, and Administrative Agent desire to further modify
certain provisions contained in the Credit Agreement, subject to the terms and
conditions set forth herein.

     NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Borrower, Lender, and
Administrative Agent agree as follows:

     1. AMENDMENTS TO THE CREDIT AGREEMENT.

     (a) SECTION 1.1 is hereby amended to delete the definition of "EBITDA" in
its entirety and replace such definitions with the following:

          EBITDA means, with respect to any Person for any fiscal period, an
     amount equal to (a) consolidated net income of such Person for such period,
     MINUS (b) THE SUM OF (i) income tax credits, (ii) interest income, (iii)
     gains from

<Page>

     extraordinary items for such period, and (iv) any aggregate net gain during
     such period arising from the sale, exchange, or other disposition of
     capital assets by such Person (including any fixed assets, whether tangible
     or intangible, and all inventory sold in conjunction with the disposition
     of fixed assets, but excluding asset sales in the ordinary course of
     business permitted pursuant to SECTION 10.11), in each case to the extent
     included in the calculation of consolidated net income of such Person for
     such period in accordance with GAAP, but without duplication, MINUS (c) any
     cash payments made in respect of any item of extraordinary loss accrued
     during a prior period and added back to EBITDA in such prior period
     pursuant to CLAUSE (g)(v) below, PLUS (d) to the extent deducted from the
     calculation of consolidated net income in CLAUSE (a) above, (i)
     non-recurring expenses incurred in connection with the restructuring
     (including the payment, prepayment, renegotiation, buyout, or other
     compromise, collection, or other restructuring transaction and all expenses
     related thereto including attorneys' fees and expenses) of dealer contracts
     and receivables and (ii) expenses related to the writeoff of dealer
     receivables (PROVIDED THAT the aggregate amount of such expenses that may
     be added pursuant to this CLAUSE (d) may not exceed $10,000,000 in the
     aggregate during the term of this Agreement), PLUS (e) expenses related to
     the purchase of accounts from Paradigm Direct, LLC recognized during such
     period that, in accordance with GAAP, are required to be expensed (as
     opposed to capitalized), PLUS (f) expenses related to the internal
     generation of accounts recognized during such period that, in accordance
     with GAAP, are required to be expensed (as opposed to capitalized), PLUS
     (g) THE SUM OF (i) any provision for income taxes, (ii) Interest Expense,
     (iii) the amount of depreciation and amortization for such period, (iv) the
     amount of any deduction to consolidated net income as the result of any
     Stock option expense, (v) the amount of any item of extraordinary loss not
     paid in cash in such period, and (vi) the absolute value of any aggregate
     net loss during such period arising from the sale, exchange, or other
     disposition of capital assets by such Person (including any fixed assets,
     whether tangible or intangible, and all inventory sold in conjunction with
     the disposition of fixed assets, but excluding asset sales in the ordinary
     course of business permitted pursuant to SECTION 10.11), PLUS (h)
     non-recurring expenses incurred in connection with work force reductions by
     Borrower, the consolidation of Borrower's call centers or offices, or the
     closing of Borrower's patrol and national accounts operations, in each case
     to the extent included in the calculation of consolidated net income of
     such Person for such period in accordance with GAAP, but without
     duplication. In the case of any Permitted Acquisition or internally
     generated account during any period of calculation, EBITDA shall, for the
     purposes of the foregoing calculations, be adjusted to give effect to such
     Permitted Acquisition or internally generated account, as if such Permitted
     Acquisition or internally generated account occurred on the first (1st) day
     of such period, by, with respect to any Permitted Acquisition, increasing,
     if positive, or decreasing, if negative, EBITDA by the EBITDA of such
     newly-acquired business during such period of calculation occurring prior
     to the date of such Permitted Acquisition.

                                       2
<Page>

          (b) SECTION 10.13 is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with
     the following:

          10.13 FINANCIAL COVENANTS. As calculated on a consolidated basis for
     the Companies:

          (a) LEVERAGE RATIO. Borrower shall not permit the Leverage Ratio, as
     of the last day of any fiscal quarter of the Companies, to be greater than
     5.75 to 1.0.

          (b) INTEREST COVERAGE. Borrower shall not permit the Interest Coverage
     Ratio, as of the last day of any fiscal quarter of the Companies, to be
     less than 2.10 to 1.0.

     2. AMENDMENT OF CREDIT AGREEMENT AND OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS. All references
in the Loan Documents to the Credit Agreement shall henceforth include
references to the Credit Agreement as modified and amended by this Amendment,
and as may, from time to time, be further modified, amended, restated, extended,
renewed, and/or increased.

     3. RATIFICATIONS. Borrower (a) ratifies and confirms all provisions of the
Loan Documents as amended by this Amendment, (b) ratifies and confirms that all
guaranties, assurances, and Liens, if any, granted, conveyed, or assigned to the
Credit Parties under the Loan Documents are not released, reduced, or otherwise
adversely affected by this Amendment and continue to guarantee, assure, and
secure full payment and performance of the present and future Obligation, and
(c) agrees to perform such acts and duly authorize, execute, acknowledge,
deliver, file, and record such additional documents, and certificates as the
Credit Parties may reasonably request in order to create, perfect, preserve, and
protect those guaranties, assurances, and Liens.

     4. REPRESENTATIONS. Borrower represents and warrants to the Credit Parties
that as of the date of this Amendment: (a) this Amendment has been duly
authorized, executed, and delivered by Borrower and each of the other Obligors
that are parties to this Amendment; (b) no action of, or filing with, any
Governmental Authority is required to authorize, or is otherwise required in
connection with, the execution, delivery, and performance by Borrower or any
other Obligor of this Amendment; (c) the Loan Documents, as amended by this
Amendment, are valid and binding upon Borrower and the other Obligors and are
enforceable against Borrower and the other Obligors in accordance with their
respective terms, except as limited by Debtor Relief Laws and general principles
of equity; (d) the execution, delivery, and performance by Borrower and the
other Obligors of this Amendment do not require the consent of any other Person
and do not and will not constitute a violation of any Governmental Requirement,
order of any Governmental Authority, or material agreements to which Borrower or
any other Obligor is a party thereto or by which Borrower or any other Obligor
is bound; (e) all representations and warranties in the Loan Documents are true
and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of this Amendment,
except to the extent that (i) any of them speak to a different specific date, or
(ii) the facts on which any of them were based have

                                       3
<Page>

been changed by transactions contemplated or permitted by the Credit Agreement;
and (f) both before and after giving effect to this Amendment, no Potential
Default or Default exists.

     5. CONDITIONS. This Amendment shall not be effective unless and until:

     (a) this Amendment has been executed by Borrower, the other Obligors,
Administrative Agent, and the Required Lenders; and

     (b) Borrower shall have delivered to Administrative Agent such documents
satisfactory to Administrative Agent evidencing the authorization and execution
of this Agreement, and the other documents executed and delivered in connection
herewith (collectively, the "AMENDMENT DOCUMENTS").

     6. CONTINUED EFFECT. Except to the extent amended hereby or by any
documents executed in connection herewith, all terms, provisions, and conditions
of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and all documents executed
in connection therewith, shall continue in full force and effect and shall
remain enforceable and binding in accordance with their respective terms.

     7. MISCELLANEOUS. Unless stated otherwise (a) the singular number includes
the plural and vice versa and words of any gender include each other gender, in
each case, as appropriate, (b) headings and captions may not be construed in
interpreting provisions, (c) this Amendment shall be construed and its
performance enforced, under Texas law, (d) if any part of this Amendment is for
any reason found to be unenforceable, all other portions of it nevertheless
remain enforceable, and (e) this Amendment may be executed in any number of
counterparts with the same effect as if all signatories had signed the same
document, and all of those counterparts must be construed together to constitute
the same document.

     8. PARTIES. This Amendment binds and inures to Borrower and the Credit
Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

     9. ENTIRETIES. THE CREDIT AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, AS
AMENDED BY THIS AMENDMENT AND THE OTHER AMENDMENT DOCUMENTS, REPRESENT THE FINAL
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES ABOUT THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT
AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT
ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN
THE PARTIES.

            [THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

                                       4
<Page>

                      SIGNATURE PAGE TO FIFTH AMENDMENT OF
                             CREDIT AGREEMENT AMONG
               PROTECTION ONE ALARM MONITORING, INC., AS BORROWER,
                WESTAR INDUSTRIES, INC., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
                                       AND
                            THE LENDERS NAMED HEREIN

         EXECUTED on and effective as of the dates first above written.

                                       PROTECTION ONE ALARM MONITORING, INC., a
                                       Delaware corporation, as Borrower

                                       By:     /s/ Richard Ginsburg
                                            ---------------------------
                                            Name:  Richard Ginsburg
                                                   -----------------------
                                            Title: Chief Executive Officer
                                                   -----------------------

<Page>

                      SIGNATURE PAGE TO FIFTH AMENDMENT OF
                             CREDIT AGREEMENT AMONG
               PROTECTION ONE ALARM MONITORING, INC., AS BORROWER,
                WESTAR INDUSTRIES, INC., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT,
                                       AND
                            THE LENDERS NAMED HEREIN

         EXECUTED on and effective as of the dates first above written.

                                       WESTAR INDUSTRIES, INC., as
                                       Administrative Agent and a Lender

                                       By:     /s/ Paul R. Geist
                                            ---------------------------
                                            Name:  Paul R. Geist
                                                   ---------------------
                                            Title: President and Chief
                                                   Executive Officer
                                                   ---------------------

<Page>

     To induce the Credit Parties to enter into this Amendment, each of the
undersigned (a) consents and agrees to the Amendment Documents' execution and
delivery, (b) ratifies and confirms that all guaranties, assurances, and Liens,
if any, granted, conveyed, or assigned to the Credit Parties under the Loan
Documents are not released, diminished, impaired, reduced, or otherwise
adversely affected by the Amendment Documents and continue to guarantee, assure,
and secure the full payment and performance of all present and future
Obligations (except to the extent specifically limited by the terms of such
guaranties, assurances, or Liens), (c) agrees to perform such acts and duly
authorize, execute, acknowledge, deliver, file, and record such additional
guaranties, assignments, security agreements, deeds of trust, mortgages, and
other agreements, documents, instruments, and certificates as the Credit Parties
may reasonably deem necessary or appropriate in order to create, perfect,
preserve, and protect those guaranties, assurances, and Liens, and (d) waives
notice of acceptance of this consent and agreement, which consent and agreement
binds the undersigned and its successors and permitted assigns and inures to the
Credit Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

     EXECUTED on and effective as of the dates first above written.

                                       PROTECTION ONE, INC., a Delaware
                                       corporation

                                       By:   /s/ Richard Ginsburg
                                            ------------------------------
                                            Name:  Richard Ginsburg
                                                   -------------------------
                                            Title: Chief Executive Officer
                                                   -------------------------

                                       NETWORK MULTI-FAMILY SECURITY
                                       CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation

                                       By:   /s/ Anthony D. Somma
                                             -------------------------------
                                             Name:  Anthony D. Somma
                                                    ------------------------
                                             Title: Assistant Secretary and
                                                    Assistant Treasurer
                                                    ------------------------

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