Document:

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                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.3

No. G-001                                                          $150,000,000
                                                             CUSIP No. 91301MAB2
                                                           ISIN No. US91301MAB28

                     10% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2011

         UNITED SURGICAL PARTNERS HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation,
promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or registered assigns, the principal sum of ONE
HUNDRED FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS ($150,000,000) on December 15, 2011.

         Interest Payment Dates: June 15 and December 15, commencing June 15,
2002.

         Record Dates: June 1 and December 1.

         Additional provisions of this Security are set forth on the other side
of this Security.

Dated:  February 14, 2002

                                                     UNITED SURGICAL PARTNERS
                                                     HOLDINGS, INC.

                                                     By:  /s/ Mark A. Kopser
                                                          ---------------------
                                                     Name: Mark A. Kopser
                                                           --------------------
                                                     Title: Chief Financial
                                                            Officer and Vice
                                                            President
                                                            -------------------

                                                     By:  /s/ John J. Wellik
                                                          ---------------------
                                                     Name: John J. Wellik
                                                           --------------------
                                                     Title: Vice President,
                                                            Secretary and
                                                            Treasurer
                                                            -------------------

TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF
     AUTHENTICATION

U.S. TRUST COMPANY OF TEXAS, N.A.
  as Trustee, certifies
     that this is one of
     the Securities referred
     to in the Indenture.

By:  /s/ John C. Stohlmann
     ----------------------------
         Authorized Signatory

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                                                                               2

                       [REVERSE SIDE OF EXCHANGE SECURITY]

                      10% Senior Subordinated Note Due 2011

1.  INTEREST

         UNITED SURGICAL PARTNERS HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation (such
corporation, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter
referred to, being herein called the "COMPANY"), promises to pay interest on the
principal amount of this Security at the rate per annum shown above; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that if a Registration Default (as defined in the Registration Rights
Agreement) occurs, additional interest will accrue on this Security at a rate
specified in the Registration Rights Agreement. The Company will pay interest
semiannually on June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing June 15, 2002.
Interest on the Securities will accrue from the most recent date to which
interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from December 19, 2001.
Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months.

2.  METHOD OF PAYMENT

         The Company will pay interest on the Securities (except defaulted
interest) to the Persons who are registered holders of Securities at the close
of business on the June 1 or December 1 next preceding the interest payment date
even if Securities are canceled after the record date and on or before the
interest payment date. Holders must surrender Securities to a Paying Agent to
collect principal payments. The Company will pay principal and interest in money
of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of
public and private debts. Payments in respect of the Securities represented by a
Global Security (including principal, premium and interest) will be made by wire
transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by The
Depository Trust Company. The Company will make all payments in respect of a
certificated Security (including principal, premium and interest) by mailing a
check to the registered address of each Holder thereof; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
payments on a certificated Security will be made by wire transfer to a U.S.
dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in

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                                                                               3

the United States if such Holder elects payment by wire transfer by giving
written notice to the Trustee or the Paying Agent to such effect designating
such account no later than 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due
date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its
discretion).

3.  PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR

         Initially, U.S. Trust Company of Texas, N.A. (the "TRUSTEE"), will act
as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may appoint and change any Paying
Agent, Registrar or co-registrar without notice. The Company or any of its
domestically incorporated Wholly Owned Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent,
Registrar or co-registrar.

4.  INDENTURE

         The Company issued the Securities under an Indenture dated as of
December 19, 2001 (as such may be amended or supplemented from time to time,
"INDENTURE"), among the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of
the Securities include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the
Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Sections
77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Indenture (the "ACT"). Terms
defined in the Indenture and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed
thereto in the Indenture. The Securities are subject to all such terms, and
Securityholders are referred to the Indenture and the Act for a statement of
those terms.

         The Securities are general unsecured obligations of the Company. The
Company shall be entitled, subject to its compliance with Section 4.03 of the
Indenture, to issue Additional Securities pursuant to Section 2.13 of the
Indenture. The Initial Securities issued on the Issue Date, any Additional
Securities and all Exchange Securities or Private Exchange Securities issued in
exchange therefor will be treated as a single class for all purposes under the
Indenture. The Indenture contains covenants that limit the ability of the
Company, Parent and their subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness; pay
dividends or distributions on, or redeem or repurchase capital stock; make
investments; issue or sell capital stock of subsidiaries; engage in transactions
with affiliates; create liens on assets; transfer or sell assets; restrict

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                                                                              4

dividends or other payments of subsidiaries; and consolidate, merge or transfer
all or substantially all of its assets and the assets of its subsidiaries. These
covenants are subject to important exceptions and qualifications.

5.  OPTIONAL REDEMPTION

         Except as set forth below, the Company shall not be entitled to redeem
the Securities at its option prior to December 15, 2006.

         On and after December 15, 2006, the Company shall be entitled at its
option to redeem all or a portion of the Securities upon not less than 30 nor
more than 60 days' notice, at the redemption prices (expressed in percentages of
principal amount on the redemption date), plus accrued and unpaid interest
thereon, if any, to the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of
Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the
relevant interest payment date), if redeemed during the 12-month period
commencing on December 15 of the years set forth below:

<Table>
<Caption>
                  Period                                      Redemption
                  ------                                         Price
                                                              ----------
<S>                                                           <C>
                  2006                                        105.000%
                  2007                                        103.333%
                  2008                                        101.667%
                  2009                                        100.000%
                  2010                                        100.000%
</Table>

         In addition, prior to December 15, 2004, the Company shall be entitled
at its option on one or more occasions to redeem Securities (which includes
Additional Securities, if any) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed
35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities (which includes
Additional Securities, if any) issued prior to such date at a redemption price
(expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 110.00%, plus accrued and
unpaid interest to the redemption date, with the Net Cash Proceeds from one or
more Qualified Equity Offerings; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (1) at least 65% of
such aggregate principal amount of Securities (which includes Additional
Securities, if any) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each
such redemption

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                                                                              5

(other than Securities held, directly or indirectly, by the Company or its
Affiliates); and (2) each such redemption occurs within 90 days after the
date of the related Qualified Equity Offering.

         Pending the application of the Net Cash Proceeds of any Qualified
Equity Offering to redeem Securities in accordance with the provisions of this
paragraph, Parent or its Restricted Subsidiaries may temporarily repay Senior
Indebtedness of the Company or any Domestic Guarantor with those Net Cash
Proceeds.

         The Company shall be entitled, at its option, at any time as a whole
prior to December 15, 2006, to redeem the Securities (which includes the
Additional Securities, if any) at a redemption price equal to the sum of:

                  (1) the principal amount thereof, plus

                  (2) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption
         date, plus

                  (3) the Applicable Premium at the redemption date.

         "APPLICABLE PREMIUM" means, with respect to any Security on any
redemption date, the greater of (1) 1.0% of the principal amount of such
Security and (2) the excess of (a) the present value at such redemption date of
(i) the redemption price of such Security at December 15, 2006 plus (ii) all
required interest payments due on such Security through December 15, 2006
(excluding accrued but unpaid interest), computed using a discount rate equal to
the Treasury Rate on such redemption date plus 50 basis points, over (b) the
principal amount of such Security.

         "TREASURY RATE" means, as of any redemption date, the yield to maturity
as of such redemption date of United States Treasury securities with a constant
maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve
Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two
Business Days prior to the redemption date (or, if such statistical release is
no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most
nearly equal to the period from the redemption date to December 15, 2006;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the period from the redemption date to December 15,

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                                                                              6

2006 is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury
security for which a weekly average yield is given, then the Treasury Rate
shall be obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest
one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United States
Treasury securities for which such yields are given, except that if the
period from the redemption date to December 15, 2006 is less than one year,
the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities
adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.

6.  NOTICE OF REDEMPTION

         Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than
60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed
at the Holder's registered address. Securities in denominations of $1,000
principal amount or less may be redeemed in whole and not in part. Securities in
denominations larger than $1,000 principal amount may be redeemed in part but
only in whole multiples of $1,000. If money sufficient to pay the redemption
price of and accrued interest on all Securities (or portions thereof) to be
redeemed on the redemption date is deposited with the Paying Agent on or before
the redemption date and certain other conditions are satisfied, on and after
such date interest ceases to accrue on such Securities (or such portions
thereof) called for redemption.

7.  PUT PROVISIONS

         Upon a Change of Control (as defined in Section 4.02 of the Indenture),
each Holder will have the right to require that the Company purchase such
Holder's Securities at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of
the Securities to be purchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the
date of purchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant
record date to receive interest due on the related interest payment date) as
provided in, and subject to the terms of, the Indenture.

         Under certain circumstances as set forth in the Indenture, the Company
will be required to offer to purchase Securities with the Net Available Cash
from Asset Dispositions.

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                                                                              7

8.  SUBORDINATION

         The Securities are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness of the Company,
as defined in the Indenture. To the extent provided in the Indenture, Senior
Indebtedness of the Company must be paid before the Securities may be paid. The
Company agrees, and each Securityholder by accepting a Security agrees, to the
subordination provisions contained in the Indenture and authorizes the Trustee
to give it effect and appoints the Trustee as attorney-in-fact for such purpose.

9.  GUARANTY

         The payment by the Company of the principal of, and premium and
interest on, the Securities is fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint
and several senior subordinated basis by each of the Guarantors.

10.  DENOMINATIONS; TRANSFER; EXCHANGE

         The Securities are in registered form without coupons in denominations
of $1,000 principal amount and whole multiples of $1,000. A Holder may transfer
or exchange Securities in accordance with the Indenture. The Registrar may
require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or
transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by
the Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange any
Securities selected for redemption (except, in the case of a Security to be
redeemed in part, the portion of the Security not to be redeemed) or any
Securities for a period of 15 days before the mailing of a notice of redemption
of Securities to be redeemed or 15 days before an interest payment date.

11.  PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS

         The registered Holder of this Security may be treated as the Security's
owner for all purposes.

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                                                                              8

12.  UNCLAIMED MONEY

         If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed for
two years, the Trustee or Paying Agent shall pay the money back to the Company
at its request unless an abandoned property law designates another Person. After
any such payment, Holders entitled to the money must look only to the Company
and not to the Trustee for payment.

13.  DISCHARGE AND DEFEASANCE

         Subject to certain conditions, the Company at any time shall be
entitled to terminate some or all of its obligations under the Securities and
the Indenture if the Company deposits with the Trustee money or U.S. Government
Obligations for the payment of principal and interest on the Securities to
redemption or maturity, as the case may be.

14.  AMENDMENT, WAIVER

         Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (i) the
Indenture and the Securities may be amended with the written consent of the
Holders of at least a majority in principal amount outstanding of the Securities
and (ii) any default or noncompliance with any provision may be waived with the
written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount outstanding of
the Securities. Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture,
without the consent of any Securityholder, the Company, the Guarantors and the
Trustee shall be entitled to amend the Indenture or the Securities to cure any
ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, to comply with Article 5 of the
Indenture, to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place
of certificated Securities, to add guarantees with respect to the Securities,
including Guaranties, to secure the Securities, to add additional covenants or
surrender rights and powers conferred on the Company or the Guarantors, to
comply with any request of the SEC in connection with qualifying the Indenture
under the Act, or to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights
of any Securityholder in any material respect or to evidence the release of a
Guarantor.

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                                                                               9

15.  DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

         Under the Indenture, Events of Default include (i) default in payment
of interest on the Securities, continued for 30 days; (ii) default in payment of
principal on the Securities at maturity, upon optional redemption pursuant to
paragraph 5 of the Securities, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise, or
failure by the Company to redeem or purchase Securities when required; (iii)
failure by the Company or any Guarantor to comply with other agreements in the
Indenture or the Securities, in certain cases subject to notice and lapse of
time; (iv) certain accelerations (including failure to pay within any grace
period after final maturity) of other Indebtedness of the Company, any Guarantor
or any Significant Subsidiary if the amount accelerated (or so unpaid) exceeds
$10 million; (v) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the
Company, any Guarantor and the Significant Subsidiaries; (vi) certain judgments
or decrees for the payment of money in excess of $10 million; and (vii) certain
defaults with respect to Guaranties. If an Event of Default occurs and is
continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of
the Securities may declare all the Securities to be due and payable by notice in
writing to the Company and the Trustee, and upon such declaration the Securities
will be due and payable immediately. Certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency
are Events of Default which will result in the Securities being due and payable
immediately upon the occurrence of such Events of Default.

         Securityholders may not enforce the Indenture or the Securities except
as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may refuse to enforce the Indenture or
the Securities unless it receives indemnity or security satisfactory to it.
Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Securities may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The
Trustee may withhold from Securityholders notice of any continuing Default
(except a Default in payment of principal or interest) if it determines that
withholding notice is in the interest of the Holders.

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                                                                              10

16.  TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH THE COMPANY

         Subject to certain limitations imposed by the Act, the Trustee under
the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or
pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with and collect obligations owed
to it by the Company or its Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Company
or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.

17.  NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS

         No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the
Company or any Guarantor or the Trustee shall have any liability for any
obligations of the Company or any Guarantor under the Securities, any Guaranty
or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such
obligations or their creation. By accepting a Security, each Securityholder
waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the
consideration for the issue of the Securities.

18.  AUTHENTICATION

         This Security shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the
Trustee (or an authenticating agent) manually signs the certificate of
authentication on the other side of this Security.

19.  ABBREVIATIONS

         Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Securityholder or
an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the
entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as
tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors
Act).

20.  CUSIP NUMBERS

         Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform
Security Identification Procedures the Company has caused CUSIP numbers and
corresponding ISINs to be printed on the Securities and has directed the Trustee
to use CUSIP numbers and corresponding ISINs in notices of redemption as a
convenience to Securityholders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of
such numbers

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                                                                              11

either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of
redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification
numbers placed thereon.

21.  HOLDERS' COMPLIANCE WITH REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT.

         Each Holder of a Security, by acceptance hereof, acknowledges and
agrees to the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement, including the
obligations of the Holders with respect to a registration and the
indemnification of the Company to the extent provided therein.

22.  GOVERNING LAW.

         THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH,
THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK BUT WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE
PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF
ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

         THE COMPANY WILL FURNISH TO ANY SECURITYHOLDER UPON WRITTEN REQUEST AND
WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE SECURITY HOLDER A COPY OF THE INDENTURE WHICH HAS IN IT
THE TEXT OF THIS SECURITY IN LARGER TYPE. REQUESTS MAY BE MADE TO:

                  UNITED SURGICAL PARTNERS HOLDINGS, INC.
                  17103 PRESTON ROAD
                  SUITE 200 NORTH
                  DALLAS, TEXAS 75248

                  ATTENTION:  INVESTOR RELATIONS

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                                                                              12

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

                                 ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Security, fill in the form below:

I or we assign and transfer this Security to

              (Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)

                  (Insert assignee's soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)

and irrevocably appoint _______________________ agent to transfer this
Security on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act
for him.

________________________________________________________________________________

Date: _______________________ Your Signature: __________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Security.

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                                                                             13

                       OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

                  If you want to elect to have this Security purchased by the
Company pursuant to Section 4.02 or 4.07 of the Indenture, check the box: / /

                  If you want to elect to have only part of this Security
purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.02 or 4.07 of the Indenture,
state the amount in principal amount: $

Date:                              Your Signature
     -----------------------------                -----------------------------

                           (Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side
                           of this Security.)

Signature Guarantee:
                     ----------------------------------------------------------
                                   (Signature must be guaranteed)

Signatures must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" meeting the
requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or
participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such
other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Registrar in
addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

         THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A
TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), AND THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR
OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE
EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT
THE SELLER OF THIS SECURITY MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS
OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.

         THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY
THAT (A) THIS SECURITY MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE
TRANSFERRED, ONLY (I) TO THE COMPANY, (II) IN THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON
WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS
DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE
REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (III) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE
TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (IV)
PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED
BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE) OR (V) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH
(V) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE
UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS
REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY FROM IT OF THE RESALE
RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE.

         IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE
REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH
TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES
WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.<Page>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.8

                              REAL ESTATE CONTRACT

      THIS REAL ESTATE  CONTRACT is made by and between T & J INVESTMENT  CO.,
a Kansas general partnership  ("Seller"),  and EPIQ SYSTEMS,  INC., a Missouri
corporation ("Buyer"), and is effective as of the 30th day of April, 2001.

                                   WITNESSETH:

      WHEREAS, Seller owns fee simple title to certain real property located in
the City of Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas, commonly known and numbered
as 501 Kansas Ave., Kansas City, Kansas 66105, as legally described on EXHIBIT
A, attached hereto and made a part hereof,

      WHEREAS, Buyer desires to acquire the real property described on EXHIBIT
A, subject to the terms and conditions hereof;

      NOW, THEREFORE, Buyer and Seller agree as follows:

      1. SALE OF PROPERTY. Seller agrees to sell, assign, transfer and convey to
Buyer, and Buyer agrees to purchase from Seller the real property described on
EXHIBIT A, attached hereto, and all buildings and improvements thereon (all of
the foregoing being collectively referred to herein as the "Premises").

      2. PURCHASE PRICE. The Purchase Price for the Premises, subject to
prorations as provided herein, shall be One Million Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand
Dollars ($1,750,000.00).

      3. PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE. The Purchase Price shall be paid by Buyer to
Seller at Closing (as defined herein) by Buyer depositing the Purchase Price
(subject to prorations as set forth in Section 4 below) into the escrow account
of Old Republic Title Insurance Company (the "Title Company") by certified or
cashier's check or wire transfer, to be disbursed to Seller by Title Company
upon the delivery of all closing documents under Section 8 hereof.

      4. PRORATIONS. Seller shall pay all taxes, general and special, and all
assessments which are a lien on the Premises which can be paid by Closing,
except that all general state, county, school and municipal taxes payable during
the calendar year in which Closing takes place shall be prorated between Seller
and Buyer on the basis of said calendar year as of the date of Closing. If the
amount of any such tax to be prorated cannot then be ascertained, proration
shall be computed on the amount thereof paid in the preceding year. Closing
costs and any escrow or other closing fees charged by the Title Company shall be
paid equally by the parties.

      5. LEASE. The parties acknowledge that the Premises are currently subject
to that certain Lease, dated February 20, 1996, as amended on December 9, 1997,
between Seller, as landlord, and Buyer, as tenant. The parties agree that the
Lease shall terminate effective as of the Closing, and the parties shall
thereafter be released from all further duties of performance thereunder, each
without liability to the other.

      6. CONDITION OF PROPERTY. The parties acknowledge and agree that the
status of Buyer as a tenant of the Premises has given Buyer the opportunity to
fully inspect the Premises and to thoroughly acquaint itself with the condition
of the Premises. Therefore, the Premises shall be conveyed by Seller to

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Buyer at Closing in "as is, where is" condition, and Seller has not made, and
will not make, any representations or warranties as to the past, present or
future mechanical, structural, environmental or other condition of or any
other matter or thing affecting or relating to the Premises, other than as
specifically set forth herein, and Buyer acknowledges and agrees that no such
terms, agreements, covenants, conditions, representations or warranties have
been made by and between the parties hereto.

      7. TITLE INSURANCE. Seller shall furnish to Buyer a standard owner's title
insurance policy (ALTA Form B, current version) issued by the Title Company in
the full amount of the purchase price of the Premises, insuring a fee simple
title in the property in Buyer as of Closing. The cost of such owner's title
insurance policy shall be paid by Seller.

      The parties agree to delete the standard exceptions for mechanic's liens
and parties in possession by Seller executing and delivering to the Title
Company its standard form of Seller's Affidavit. The exceptions for taxes and
assessments shall be limited to only those for the year in during which Closing
takes place which are not due and payable as of Closing. The owner's title
insurance policy shall contain such other exceptions for easements, reservations
and restrictions of records which are reasonably acceptable to Buyer.

      Within thirty (30) days after the effective date of this Contract, Seller
shall cause the Title Company to furnish a preliminary title commitment for such
title insurance to Buyer. Buyer shall have ten (10) days after receipt of such
commitment to notify Seller in writing of any objections to defects in title
shown therein. If no written notification of objections is received within such
time period, the status of title shall be deemed approved for all purposes of
this Contract. Seller shall have until Closing to make any necessary corrections
in title; provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall obligate either
party to correct any matter objected to. In the event that any such defect in
title is not cured by Closing, and Buyer refuses to waive their objection, then
the parties shall either (1) extend the Closing to permit Seller to correct such
title defect, or (2) either party may terminate this Contract by written notice
to the other, and the parties shall thereafter be released from all further
duties of performance hereunder, each without liability to the other.

      8. CLOSING. Closing shall take place at the offices of the Title Company,
or at such other place as the parties may mutually agree on, on or before May
31, 2001, unless the parties mutually agree to extend such date in writing. At
Closing, the parties shall execute and deliver closing documents as follows:

            (a) Seller shall execute and deliver to Buyer its general warranty
      deed to the Premises in recordable form so as to vest in Buyer a fee
      simple title to the Premises, subject only those exceptions to title
      permitted by Section 7 hereof;

            (b) Seller and Buyer shall obtain the Title Company's commitment to
      issue the owner's title insurance policy described in Section 7 hereof;

            (c) Buyer shall deliver to the Title Company the Purchase Price
      described in Section 3 hereof, as adjusted pursuant to Section 4 hereof;

            (d) Buyer and Seller shall each execute and deliver a closing
      statement and shall instruct the Title Company to release the documents
      and funds held by the Title Company, subject to the prorations performed
      at Closing pursuant to Section 4 hereof; and

            (e) Buyer and Seller shall execute and deliver any and all other
      documents, certificates and instruments reasonably required to be executed
      to effect the transaction described herein.

                                     -2-

<Page>

      9. TITLE COMPANY'S ESCROW DUTIES. All documents and funds described herein
shall be delivered by the parties to the Title Company to be held in escrow by
it until Closing. The Title Company shall continue its search since the date of
its preliminary title commitment to be provided in accordance with this
Contract, and, if such search shows no encumbrances or other matters
substantially affecting fee simple title since said date and if the Title
Company is prepared to issue its owner's title insurance policy to and in favor
of Buyer in the full amount of the purchase price hereunder, insuring fee simple
title in the Buyer subject only to the exceptions permitted herein, the Title
Company shall record Seller's general warranty deed, and any other instruments
as Seller and Buyer may jointly approve, deliver the funds held in escrow by it
pursuant to approved closing statements executed by Buyer and Seller, and
otherwise distribute funds and documents as contained therein or in the
instruction letters to the Title Company by the parties.

      10. BROKERAGE. The parties represent and agree that no real estate brokers
or agents are entitled to a sales commission in connection with the transaction
contemplated hereunder. Any party to this Contract through whom a claim to any
broker's, agent's, finder's or other fee or commission is made, contrary to the
foregoing representations, shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the other
party to this Contract from any other loss, liability, damage, cost or expense,
including reasonable attorneys' fees, court costs and other legal expenses, paid
or incurred by the other party that is in any way related to such a claim.

      11. NOTICES. Any notice, demand, or other document which either party is
required or may desire to give or deliver to or make upon the other party shall,
in the case of a notice, be in writing and may be either personally hand
delivered or given by United States First Class Mail, postage prepaid, addressed
to the parties at the their last known business addresses. For all purposes
hereof, the date of hand-delivery shall be deemed the date a notice is given or,
if mailed, three (3) days following deposit of such notice in the United States
Mail. Either party hereto may designate a different address for itself by notice
similarly given.

      12. MISCELLANEOUS. This Contract shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, executors,
administrators, representatives, successors and assigns. Buyer or Seller may
waive, in writing, any conditions in this Contract which are not complied with
by the other party and said conditions shall be deemed complied with for all
purposes. The interpretation, construction and performance of this Contract
shall be governed by the laws of the State of Kansas.

      13. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Contract, including all exhibits or addenda
attached hereto, which are incorporated herein by reference, constitute the
entire agreement of Buyer and Seller concerning the subject matters hereof,
supersedes all other prior understandings or agreements, written or oral,
pertaining thereto, and may be modified only by both parties initialing changes
herein or by separate written amendment signed by both parties.

                                     -3-

<Page>

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Buyer and Seller have caused this Contract to be
executed in multiple counterpart copies, each of which shall be deemed an
original but together shall constitute one and the same instrument, effective as
of the day and year above written.

"SELLER"                                  "BUYER"

T & J INVESTMENT CO.,                     EPIQ SYSTEMS, INC.,
a Kansas general partnership              a Missouri corporation

By: /s/ Tom W. Olofson                    By: /s/ Christopher E. Olofson
   -------------------------------            ---------------------------------
   Tom W. Olofson, General Partner            Christopher E. Olofson,
                                              President and COO

By: /s/ Jerry L. Haney
   -------------------------------
   Jerry L. Haney, General Partner

                                     -4-

<Page>

                                    EXHIBIT A

                        LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREMISES

      All of Lots 1 through 17, inclusive, and all of Lots 40, 41, 42 and 43,
      all in Block 28, ARMOURDALE, also including the North 25 feet of the East
      156 feet of Block 4, ARMOURDALE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AREA, all now in
      and a part of Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas, containing
      approximately 73,321 square feet.

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