Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.21

                                 LOAN AGREEMENT

         This is an agreement executed on May 1, 2002 between CENTENE
CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation, as Borrower, and LASALLE BANK NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION, as Lender.

         In consideration of the mutual agreements herein and other sufficient
consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, Borrower and Lender
agree as follows:

1.       EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Agreement is effective May 1, 2002.

2.       DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.

         2.1.     LISTED DEFINITIONS. Capitalized terms defined in the Glossary
         attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1 shall have such defined meanings
         wherever used in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

         2.2.     OTHER DEFINITIONS. If a capitalized term used in this
         Agreement is not defined in the Glossary, it shall have such meaning as
         defined elsewhere herein, or if not defined elsewhere herein, the
         meaning defined in the UCC.

         2.3.     REFERENCES TO COVERED PERSONS. The words Covered Person, a
         Covered Person, any Covered Person, each Covered Person and every
         Covered Person refer to Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries
         separately, including Centene Management Corporation, a Wisconsin
         corporation, Centene Corporation of Texas, a Texas corporation, Managed
         Health Services Insurance Corp., a Wisconsin corporation, Superior
         HealthPlan, Inc., a Texas corporation, Coordinated Care Corporation
         Indiana, Inc., an Indiana corporation, Managed Health Services
         Illinois, Inc., an Illinois corporation, MHS Consulting Corporation, a
         Wisconsin corporation, MHS Behavioral Health of Texas, Inc., a Texas
         corporation, and Bankers Reserve Life Insurance Company of Wisconsin, a
         Wisconsin insurance company. The words Covered Persons refer to
         Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including each of the Persons
         specifically mentioned in the prior sentence, collectively.

         2.4.     ACCOUNTING TERMS. Unless the context otherwise requires,
         accounting terms herein that are not defined herein shall be calculated
         under GAAP. All financial measurements contemplated hereunder
         respecting Borrower shall be made and calculated for Borrower and all
         of its Subsidiaries, if any, unless otherwise expressly provided
         otherwise herein, on a consolidated and consolidating basis in
         accordance with GAAP.

         2.5.     MEANING OF SATISFACTORY. Wherever herein a document or matter
         is required to be satisfactory to Lender, unless expressly stated
         otherwise such document must be satisfactory to Lender in both form and
         substance, and unless expressly stated otherwise, Lender shall have the
         absolute discretion to determine whether the document or matter is
         satisfactory.

         2.6.     COMPUTATION OF TIME PERIODS. In the computation of periods of
         time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word from
         shall mean from and including and the words to and until shall each
         mean to but excluding. Periods of days referred to in this Agreement
         shall be counted in calendar days unless Business Days are expressly
         prescribed. References in this Agreement to months and years shall be
         to calendar months and calendar years unless otherwise specified, and
         periods counted as a number of months or years from a particular date
         shall be measured to the numerically corresponding date of each
         following month or year, as applicable.
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         2.7.     GENERAL. Unless the context of this Agreement clearly requires
         otherwise: (i) references to the plural include the singular and vice
         versa; (ii) references to any Person include such Person's successors
         and assigns but, if applicable, only if such successors and assigns are
         permitted by this Agreement; (iii) references to one gender include all
         genders; (iv) including is not limiting; (v) or has the inclusive
         meaning represented by the phrase and/or; (vi) the words hereof,
         herein, hereby, hereunder and similar terms in this Agreement refer to
         this Agreement as a whole, including its Exhibits, and not to any
         particular provision of this Agreement; (vii) the word Section or
         section and Page or page refer to a section or page, respectively, and
         the word Exhibit refers to an Exhibit to this Agreement unless it
         expressly refers to something else; (viii) reference to any agreement
         (including this Agreement and any other Loan Document or other
         agreement, document or instrument defined herein), document or
         instrument means such agreement, document or instrument as amended,
         modified or restated and in effect from time to time in accordance with
         the terms thereof and, if applicable, the terms hereof; and (ix)
         general and specific references to any Law means such Law as amended,
         modified, codified or reenacted, in whole or in part, and in effect
         from time to time. Section captions and the Table of Contents are for
         convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation or
         construction of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

3.       LENDER'S COMMITMENTS. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, and
in reliance upon the representations and warranties of Borrower herein, Lender
makes the following commitments to Borrower:

         3.1.     REVOLVING COMMITMENT.

                  3.1.1.   REVOLVING ADVANCES. Subject to the limitations in
                  Section 3.1.2 and elsewhere herein, Lender will make available
                  from the Effective Date to the Maturity Date, a Revolving
                  Commitment of $25,000,000, available as Revolving Advances
                  made from time to time as provided herein. Subject to the
                  limitations in Section 3.1.2 and elsewhere herein, payments
                  and prepayments that are applied to reduce the Revolving Loan
                  may be reborrowed. At any time that there is an Existing
                  Default, the Revolving Commitment may be canceled as provided
                  in Section 16.3.

                  3.1.2.   LIMITATIONS ON REVOLVING ADVANCES. No Revolving
                  Advance will be made which would result in the Revolving Loan
                  exceeding the Maximum Available Amount and no Revolving
                  Advance will be made on or after the Maturity Date. Lender
                  may, however, in its absolute discretion make such Revolving
                  Advances, but shall not be deemed by doing so to have
                  increased the Maximum Available Amount and shall not be
                  obligated to make any such Revolving Advances thereafter. The
                  Maximum Available Amount on any date shall be a Dollar amount
                  equal to the amount of (i) the Revolving Commitment minus (ii)
                  the Letter of Credit Exposure on such date (except to the
                  extent that such Revolving Advance will be used immediately to
                  reimburse Lender for unreimbursed draws on a Letter of
                  Credit).

                  3.1.3.   REVOLVING NOTE. The obligation of Borrower to repay
                  the Revolving Loan shall be evidenced by a promissory note
                  payable to the order of Lender in a maximum principal amount
                  equal to the amount of the Revolving Commitment and otherwise
                  satisfactory to Lender.

         3.2.     LETTER OF CREDIT COMMITMENT. Lender commits to issue
         commercial and standby letters of credit for the account of Borrower
         from time to time from the Effective Date to the Maturity Date, but
         only in connection with transactions satisfactory to Lender and only if
         the Letter of Credit Exposure will not as a result of such issuance
         exceed the lesser of (i) $10,000,000 and (ii)

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         any excess of the Revolving Commitment over the Revolving Loan. The
         expiration date of any Letter of Credit will not be more than one year
         after its issuance date and in no event will be later than the Maturity
         Date unless Borrower deposits with Lender cash collateral satisfactory
         to Lender to secure reimbursement by Borrower of all amounts drawn on
         such Letter of Credit.

4.       INTEREST.

         4.1.     INTEREST ON DRAWS ON LETTERS OF CREDIT. Borrower shall pay
         interest on the unreimbursed amount of each draw on a Letter of Credit
         at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted Base Rate plus 3%.

         4.2.     ALTERNATIVE RATES AND INTEREST PERIODS. Each Loan shall bear
         interest at either the Adjusted Base Rate or the Adjusted Eurodollar
         Rate as designated by Borrower as provided herein. If Borrower
         designates a Loan to be a Eurodollar Loan, Borrower shall also select
         an Interest Period for it. Each Interest Period shall be either 30, 60,
         or 90 days; provided that (i) every such Interest Period for an Advance
         that will be a Eurodollar Loan shall commence on the date of the
         Advance or on the date of conversion or continuation of any Loan as a
         Eurodollar Loan; (ii) if any Interest Period would otherwise expire on
         a day of a calendar month which is not a Business Day, then such
         Interest Period shall expire on the next succeeding Business Day in
         that calendar month; provided, however, that if the next succeeding
         Business Day would be in the following calendar month, it shall expire
         on the first preceding Business Day; (iii) any Interest Period that
         begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for
         which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month
         at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day
         of a calendar month; (iv) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the
         Maturity Date. A Eurodollar Loan shall bear interest at the Adjusted
         Eurodollar Rate throughout the applicable Interest Period designated by
         Borrower.

         4.3.     ADJUSTED BASE RATE. The Adjusted Base Rate for any Loan shall
         be the Prime Rate (which will fluctuate as provided in Section 4.8)
         plus the applicable Prime Rate Increment determined from time to time
         as provided in Section 4.5.

         4.4.     ADJUSTED EURODOLLAR RATE. The Adjusted Eurodollar Rate for any
         Loan shall be the Eurodollar Rate (which shall be determined before the
         beginning of the Interest Period for such Loan as provided herein and
         shall apply throughout such Interest Period) plus the applicable
         Eurodollar Increment determined from time to time as provided in
         Section 4.5.

         4.5.     PRIME RATE INCREMENTS AND EURODOLLAR INCREMENTS. The
         applicable Prime Rate Increment and applicable Eurodollar Increment
         shall be determined by Lender on the Effective Date and quarterly
         thereafter in accordance with the following table based upon the ratio
         of (i) Borrower's Senior Indebtedness (as of the last day of Borrower's
         quarter most recently ended) to (ii) the product of (a) Borrower's
         EBITDA for the quarter most recently ended multiplied by (b) four:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           RATIO OF SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS TO           PRIME RATE INCREMENT               EURODOLLAR INCREMENT
                        EBITDA

<S>                                                  <C>                               <C>
          Less than or equal to 1.00 to 1.00                  0%                                1.50%

          Greater  than  1.00  to  1.00  and                  0%                                2.00%
          less than or equal to 1.50 to
</TABLE>

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<TABLE>
<S>                                                  <C>                               <C>
          1.00

          Greater than 1.50 to 1.00                           0%                                2.50%
</TABLE>

         Any change in the Prime Rate Increment and Eurodollar Increment shall
         become applicable on the first day following the day when Borrower
         delivers to Lender its Financial Statements for its fiscal quarter just
         ended as required in Section 13.15.2. If Borrower does not deliver its
         quarterly Financial Statements to Lender within the period required by
         Section 13.15.2, the highest possible Prime Rate Increment and
         Eurodollar Increment shall become applicable as of the last day of such
         period and shall remain applicable until Borrower delivers such
         Financial Statements to Lender.

         4.6.     CONVERSIONS AND CONTINUATIONS. Borrower may (i) at any time
         convert some or all of an Adjusted Base Rate Loan to a Eurodollar Loan,
         or (ii) at the end of any Interest Period of a Eurodollar Loan,
         continue some or all of such Eurodollar Loan as a Eurodollar Loan for
         an additional Interest Period or convert some or all of such Eurodollar
         Loan to an Adjusted Base Rate Loan. To cause any conversion or
         continuation, Borrower shall give Lender, prior to 11:00 a.m., Chicago
         time, three Business Days prior to the date the conversion or
         continuation is to be effective, a written request (which may be
         mailed, personally delivered or telecopied as provided in Section 21.1)
         (a) specifying the Loan to be converted or continued in whole or in
         part and the amount which is to be converted and the amount which is to
         be continued, (b) in the case of a conversion, specifying whether the
         amount converted is to be a Eurodollar Loan or an Adjusted Base Rate
         Loan upon the conversion, and (c) in the case of conversion to or
         continuation of a Eurodollar Loan, specifying the Interest Period
         therefor. If such notice is not made by 11:00 a.m. Chicago time on the
         third Business Day preceding the last day of the Interest Period of a
         Eurodollar Loan, then Borrower shall be deemed to have timely given a
         notice to convert the Loan to an Adjusted Base Rate Loan. A conversion
         to or continuation of a Eurodollar Loan shall become effective only on
         the day following the last day of the current Interest Period.

         4.7.     TIME OF ACCRUAL. Interest shall accrue on all principal
         amounts outstanding from the date when first outstanding to the date
         when no longer outstanding. Amounts shall be deemed outstanding until
         payments are applied thereto as provided herein.

         4.8.     COMPUTATION. Interest accruing at the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate
         shall be computed for the actual days elapsed over a year deemed to
         consist of 360 days. Interest accruing at the Adjusted Base Rate shall
         be computed for the actual days elapsed over a year deemed to consist
         of 360 days. Interest rates that are based on the Prime Rate shall
         change simultaneously with any change in the Prime Rate and such rates
         shall be effective for the entire day on which any Prime Rate change
         becomes effective.

         4.9.     RATE AFTER MATURITY. Borrower shall pay interest on the Loans
         after their Maturity, and (at the option of Lender) on the Loans and on
         the other Loan Obligations after the occurrence of an Event of Default,
         at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted Base Rate plus 3%.

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5.       FEES.

         5.1. UNUSED FEE. Borrower shall pay to Lender an Unused Fee calculated
         by applying the daily equivalent of 0.25% to the Unused Revolving
         Commitment on each day during the period from the Effective Date to the
         Maturity Date. The Unused Revolving Commitment on any day shall be the
         amount of the Revolving Commitment minus the sum of the Revolving Loan
         and the Letter of Credit Exposure. The Unused Fee shall be payable
         quarterly in arrears, commencing on the first day of the first calendar
         quarter beginning after the Effective Date and continuing on the first
         day of each calendar quarter thereafter and on the Maturity Date.

         5.2.     LETTER OF CREDIT FEES. Borrower shall pay to Lender a Letter
         of Credit Fee for each Letter of Credit issued by Lender. The Letter of
         Credit Fee for each Letter of Credit shall be calculated by applying
         the daily equivalent of 1.00% per annum to the undrawn amount available
         under such Letter of Credit as of each day such Letter of Credit is
         outstanding commencing when such Letter of Credit is issued by Lender.
         Borrower shall also pay to Lender Lender's other customary fees for
         issuance, amendment, or renewal of a Letter of Credit and, as Lender
         and Borrower may agree with respect to each Letter of Credit, for each
         negotiation of a draft drawn under such Letter of Credit. The Letter of
         Credit Fee due for any Letter of Credit shall be payable in advance on
         its issuance date and on the first day of the first calendar quarter
         beginning after such Letter of Credit is issued and on each anniversary
         thereof while such Letter of Credit is outstanding. Lender's customary
         fees for processing draws on Letters of Credit and the like shall be
         payable in accordance with Lender's practice at the time.

         5.3.     CALCULATION OF FEES. All of the foregoing fees and all other
         fees payable to Lender that are based on an annual percentage shall be
         calculated on the basis of a year deemed to consist of 360 days and for
         the actual number of days elapsed.

6.       SCHEDULED PAYMENTS.

         6.1.     MATURITY DATE. Borrower shall repay the Revolving Loan and all
         unpaid accrued interest thereon on May 1, 2003.

         6.2.     INTEREST PAYMENTS BEFORE MATURITY DATE. While a Loan is an
         Adjusted Base Rate Loan, Borrower shall pay interest accrued thereon
         monthly in arrears, beginning on the first day of the first calendar
         month following the Effective Date, and continuing on the first day of
         each calendar month thereafter until the Maturity Date. While a Loan is
         a Eurodollar Loan, Borrower shall, until the Maturity Date, pay
         interest accrued thereon in arrears at the end of the applicable
         Interest Period.

         6.3.     REIMBURSEMENT OBLIGATIONS. Borrower hereby unconditionally
         agrees to immediately pay to Lender on demand at the Lending Office all
         amounts required to pay all drafts drawn under all Letters of Credit
         issued for the account of Borrower and all reasonable expenses incurred
         by Lender in connection with such Letters of Credit and, in any event
         and without demand, to remit to Lender (which may be through obtaining
         Advances if permitted under Section 3.1.2) sufficient funds to pay all
         Obligations arising under any Letter of Credit issued for the account
         of Borrower.

         6.4.     AUTOMATIC DEBIT. After the occurrence of an Event of Default,
         Lender may debit against the Centene Management Company Master Account,
         Account Number 5800366386, or any successor account, the amount of each
         payment hereunder on the date due.

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7.       PREPAYMENTS.

         7.1.     VOLUNTARY PREPAYMENTS. Subject to the limitations of this
         Section, Borrower may wholly prepay any Base Rate Loan or Eurodollar
         Loan that is included in the Revolving Loan at any time and may make a
         partial prepayment thereon from time to time, without penalty or
         premium, but only if (i) Borrower pays any accrued interest on the
         amount prepaid at the time of such prepayment, and (ii) Borrower pays
         any amount that is due under Section 17.4 as a consequence of the
         prepayment. All such prepayments, unless otherwise expressly stated in
         writing by Borrower to Lender prior to the making of such prepayment,
         will be deemed made on Base Rate Loans included in the Revolving Loan
         until they are reduced to zero and then to Eurodollar Loans included in
         the Revolving Loan (and all penalties and premiums due hereunder in
         connection therewith) until they are reduced to zero.

         7.2.     MANDATORY PREPAYMENTS WHEN OVER-ADVANCES EXIST. If at any time
         the Revolving Loan exceeds the Maximum Available Amount, whether as a
         result of optional Revolving Advances by Lender as contemplated in
         Section 3.1.2, or otherwise, Borrower shall on demand by Lender make a
         prepayment in the amount of the excess. Each such prepayment will be
         applied by Lender first to reduce pro rata all the Revolving Loans
         included in the Revolving Loan that are Adjusted Base Rate Loans, and
         then to reduce (in the order of the maturities of their respective
         Interest Periods) the Revolving Loans included in the Revolving Loan
         that are Eurodollar Loans.

8.       MANNER OF PAYMENTS AND TIMING OF APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS.

         8.1.     PAYMENT REQUIREMENT. Unless expressly provided to the contrary
         elsewhere herein, Borrower shall make each payment on the Loan
         Obligations to Lender as required under the Loan Documents at the
         Lending Office. All such payments shall be made in Dollars on the date
         when due, without deduction, set-off or counterclaim.

         8.2.     APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS AND PROCEEDS. All payments received by
         Lender in immediately available funds at or before 1:00 p.m., Chicago
         time, on a Business Day will be applied to the relevant Loan Obligation
         on the same day. Such payments received on a day that is not a Business
         Day or after 1:00 p.m. on a Business Day will be applied to the
         relevant Loan Obligation on the next Business Day. For purposes of
         interest calculation only, (i) a payment by check, draft or other
         instrument received at or before 1:00 p.m., Chicago time, on a Business
         Day shall be deemed to have been applied to the relevant Loan
         Obligation on the second following Business Day, (ii) a payment by
         check, draft or other instrument received on a day that is not a
         Business Day or after 1:00 p.m., Chicago time, on a Business Day shall
         be deemed to have been applied to the relevant Loan Obligation on the
         third following Business Day, (iii) a payment in cash or by wire
         transfer received at or before 1:00 p.m., Chicago time, on a Business
         Day shall be deemed to have been applied to the relevant Loan
         Obligation on the Business Day when it is received, and (iv) a payment
         in cash or by wire transfer received on a day that is not a Business
         Day or after 1:00 p.m., Chicago time, on a Business Day shall be deemed
         to have been applied to the relevant Loan Obligation on the next
         Business Day.

         8.3.     RETURNED INSTRUMENTS. If a payment is made by check, draft or
         other instrument and the check, draft or other instrument is returned
         unpaid, the application of the payment to the Loan Obligations will be
         reversed and will be treated as never having been made.

         8.4.     COMPELLED RETURN OF PAYMENTS OR PROCEEDS. If Lender is for any
         reason compelled to surrender any payment or any proceeds of any
         Collateral because such payment or the application of such proceeds is
         for any reason invalidated, declared fraudulent, set aside, or
         determined to be

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<PAGE>
         void or voidable as a preference, an impermissible setoff, or a
         diversion of trust funds, then this Agreement and the Loan Obligations
         to which such payment or proceeds was applied or intended to be applied
         shall be revived as if such application was never made; and Borrower
         shall be liable to pay to Lender, and shall indemnify Lender for and
         hold Lender harmless from any loss with respect to, the amount of such
         payment or proceeds surrendered. This Section shall be effective
         notwithstanding any contrary action that Lender may take in reliance
         upon its receipt of any such payment or proceeds. Any such contrary
         action so taken by Lender shall be without prejudice to Lender's rights
         under this Agreement and shall be deemed to have been conditioned upon
         the application of such payment or proceeds having become final and
         irrevocable. The provisions of this Section shall survive termination
         of the Commitments, and the payment and satisfaction of all of the Loan
         Obligations.

         8.5.     DUE DATES NOT ON BUSINESS DAYS. If any payment required
         hereunder becomes due on a date that is not a Business Day, then such
         due date shall be deemed automatically extended to the next Business
         Day; provided, however, that if the next Business Day would be in the
         next calendar month, such payment shall instead be due on the
         immediately preceding Business Day.

9.       PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING ADVANCES AND LETTERS OF CREDIT.

         9.1.     REQUESTS FOR REVOLVING ADVANCES. Borrower may request a
         Revolving Advance (to the extent such an Advance is available
         hereunder) by submitting a request therefor to Lender that meets the
         requirements in Section 9.6. Every request for a Revolving Advance
         shall be irrevocable. A request for a Revolving Advance received by
         Lender on a day that is not a Business Day or that is received by
         Lender after 1:00 p.m. (Chicago time) on a Business Day shall be
         treated as having been received by Lender at 1:00 p.m. (Chicago time)
         on the next Business Day. Provided that all conditions precedent herein
         to a requested Revolving Advance have been satisfied, Lender will make
         the amount of such requested Revolving Advance available to Borrower on
         the requested date for the Revolving Advance in immediately available
         funds in Dollars at the Lending Office. Such funds will be deposited in
         an account of Borrower at the Lending Office unless Borrower gives
         Lender contrary specific disbursement instructions satisfactory to
         Lender.

         9.2.     LENDER'S RIGHT TO MAKE OTHER REVOLVING ADVANCES. Lender shall
         have the right to make Revolving Advances at any time and from time to
         time to cause timely payment of any of the Loan Obligations. Lender
         will give notice to Borrower after any such Revolving Advance is made.
         Any such Revolving Advance will be an Adjusted Base Rate Loan. If
         Lender is obligated to reimburse or pay to any creditor of Borrower any
         amount in order to (i) obtain a release of such creditor's Security
         Interest in any of the Collateral, or (ii) otherwise satisfy Borrower's
         obligations to such creditor to the extent not irrevocably satisfied by
         the initial Revolving Advance, then Lender may make Revolving Advances
         for that purpose.

         9.3.     LETTERS OF CREDIT. Borrower may request the issuance of a
         Letter of Credit by submitting an issuance request to Lender that meets
         the requirements of Section 9.7 and executing the reimbursement
         agreement and other letter of credit documents required under Section
         11.3.1 no less than five Business Days prior to the requested issue
         date for such Letter of Credit.

         9.4.     AMOUNT, NUMBER, AND USE OF REVOLVING ADVANCES. No Revolving
         Advance will be made unless it is a whole multiple of $10,000 and not
         less than $100,000 in the case of a Eurodollar Advance, or a whole
         multiple of $1,000 and not less than $1,000 in the case of a Base Rate
         Advance. On any one day, no more than one Revolving Advance will be
         made. Advances will only be made for the purposes permitted in Section
         13.1. No more than five Eurodollar Loans with different Interest
         Periods may be outstanding at any one time.

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         9.5.     EACH REQUEST FOR A REVOLVING ADVANCE A CERTIFICATION. Each
         submittal by Borrower of a request for a Revolving Advance shall
         constitute a certification by Borrower that (i) there is no Existing
         Default, (ii) the Representations and Warranties are then true and
         correct and will be true on the Date of the Revolving Advance, as if
         then made, and (iii) all conditions herein and in the other Loan
         Documents to the making of the requested Revolving Advance have been
         satisfied.

         9.6.     REQUIREMENTS FOR EVERY REQUEST FOR AN ADVANCE. A request to
         Lender for an Advance may be oral or in writing (but if oral shall be
         confirmed in writing), shall be from a Borrowing Officer, and shall
         specify the amount of the Advance to be made, the date when the Advance
         is requested to be made, whether the Advance is to be a Eurodollar Loan
         or an Adjusted Base Rate Loan, and the Interest Period therefor if the
         Advance is to be a Eurodollar Loan. If a request for an Advance does
         not fully meet the foregoing requirements, Lender may reject it and not
         treat it as a request for a Advance. A request for a Eurodollar Advance
         must be given prior to 11:00 a.m., Chicago time, at least three
         Business Days prior to the date of Advance for such Eurodollar Advance.
         A request for a Base Rate Advance must be given prior to 11:00 a.m.,
         Chicago time, on the date of Advance for such Base Rate Advance.

         9.7.     REQUIREMENTS FOR EVERY REQUEST FOR ISSUANCE OF A LETTER OF
         CREDIT. Only a written request (which may be mailed, personally
         delivered or telecopied as provided in Section 21.1) from a Borrowing
         Officer to Lender that specifies the amount, the requested issue date
         and the beneficiary of the requested Letter of Credit and other
         information necessary for its issuance shall be treated as an issuance
         request for purposes hereof.

         9.8.     EXONERATION OF LENDER. Lender will not incur any liability to
         Borrower for treating a request that meets the express requirements of
         Section 9.6 or Section 9.7 as a request for an Advance or a request for
         issuance of a Letter of Credit, as applicable, if Lender believes in
         good faith that the Person making the request is a Borrowing Officer.
         Lender will not incur any liability to Borrower for failing to treat
         any such request as a request for an Advance or a request for issuance
         of a Letter of Credit, as applicable, if Lender believes in good faith
         that the Person making the request is not a Borrowing Officer.

10.      SECURITY. As security for payment and performance of the Loan
Obligations, Borrower shall on the Execution Date execute and deliver, or cause
to be executed and delivered, to Lender a stock pledge agreement from Borrower
satisfactory to Lender granting to Lender a Security Interest under the UCC in
all of capital stock of Borrower in its now owned or hereafter acquired
Subsidiaries, and all proceeds thereof, subject only to Permitted Security
Interests that exist on the Execution Date and affect the foregoing, and shall
deliver to Lender original stock certificates evidencing the stock so pledged,
together with stock powers duly executed in blank. All of the Loan Obligations
are hereby cross-collateralized. Any property of any Borrower in which Lender
has a Security Interest to secure the repayment of any of the Loan Obligations
are deemed to secure the repayment of each of the other Loan Obligations,
whether or not the documents giving rise to such Security Interest so provide.
At the request of Lender, Borrower agrees to execute and deliver to Lender, or
cause to be executed and delivered to Lender, such documents and agreements
(including without limitation amendments to existing Loan Documents), and shall
take or cause to be taken such actions, as Lender deems necessary to carry out
the purpose and intent of this paragraph. Lender may, either before or after an
Event of Default, exchange, waive or release the Security Interests in any of
the Collateral, or in Lender's absolute discretion permit Borrower to substitute
any real or personal property for any of the Collateral, without affecting the
Loan Obligations or Lender's right to take any other action with respect to any
other Collateral.

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<PAGE>
11.      CONDITIONS.

         11.1.    CONDITIONS TO INITIAL ADVANCES. Lender will have no obligation
         to fund the initial Revolving Advance or any subsequent Revolving
         Advance unless:

                  11.1.1.  LISTED DOCUMENTS AND OTHER ITEMS. Lender has received
                  on or before the Effective Date all of the documents and other
                  items listed or described in Exhibit 11.1.1 hereto as being
                  delivered or executed on or before the Execution Date, with
                  each being satisfactory to Lender and (as applicable) duly
                  executed and (also as applicable) sealed, attested,
                  acknowledged, certified, or authenticated.

                  11.1.2.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The Representations
                  and Warranties are true and correct as of the time of such
                  Advance and with the same force and effect as if made at such
                  time.

                  11.1.3.  NO DEFAULT. There is no Existing Default and no
                  Default or Event of Default will occur as a result of the
                  making of the Advance or Borrower's use of the proceeds
                  thereof.

                  11.1.4.  PERFECTION OF SECURITY INTERESTS. Every Security
                  Interest and assignment required to be granted or made by
                  Borrower under Section 10 has been perfected and is, except as
                  to applicable Permitted Security Interests or as otherwise
                  satisfactory to Lender, a first priority Security Interest.

                  11.1.5.  PAYMENT OF FEES. Borrower, on or before the date of
                  the Advance, has paid and reimbursed to Lender, or
                  concurrently with such Advance will pay and reimburse to
                  Lender, all fees, costs and expenses that are payable or
                  reimbursable to Lender hereunder.

                  11.1.6.  PENDING MATERIAL PROCEEDINGS. There are no pending
                  Material Proceedings involving Borrower.

                  11.1.7.  NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. There has not been any
                  change since the date of the Initial Financial Statements
                  which has had or is reasonably likely to have a Material
                  Adverse Effect.

                  11.1.8.  OTHER ITEMS. Lender has received such other consents,
                  approvals, opinions, certificates or documents as it
                  reasonably deems necessary.

         11.2.    CONDITIONS TO SUBSEQUENT ADVANCES.  Lender will have no
         obligation to fund any Advance after the initial Advance unless:

                  11.2.1.  CONDITIONS TO INITIAL ADVANCES. All of the conditions
                  in Section 11.1 have been and remain satisfied.

                  11.2.2.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The Representations
                  and Warranties are true and correct as of the time of such
                  Advance.

                  11.2.3.  NO DEFAULT. There is no Existing Default and no
                  Default or Event of Default will occur as a result of the
                  making of the Advance or Borrower's use of the proceeds
                  thereof.

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<PAGE>
                  11.2.4.  NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. Since the date of the
                  most recent prior Advance nothing has occurred which has had
                  or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         11.3.    CONDITIONS TO ISSUANCE OF LETTERS OF CREDIT. No Letter of
         Credit will be issued unless at the time of such issuance:

                  11.3.1.  REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT. Borrower has executed and
                  delivered to Lender a Master Letter of Credit Agreement and
                  Application for Standby Letter of Credit satisfactory to
                  Lender under which Borrower undertakes to reimburse to Lender
                  on demand the amount of each draw on such Letter of Credit,
                  together with interest from the date of the draw. In the event
                  of a direct and irreconcilable conflict between the terms of
                  this Agreement and the terms of the documents executed by
                  Borrower in connection with the issuance of any Letter of
                  Credit, the terms of this Agreement will control.

                  11.3.2.  NO PROHIBITIONS. No order, judgment or decree of any
                  Governmental Authority exists which purports by its terms to
                  enjoin or restrain Lender from issuing such Letter of Credit,
                  and no Law or request or directive (whether or not having the
                  force of law) from any Governmental Authority with
                  jurisdiction over Lender shall exist which prohibits, or
                  requests that Lender refrain from, the issuance of letters of
                  credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular, or
                  imposes upon Lender with respect to such Letter of Credit any
                  restriction or reserve or capital requirement (for which
                  Lender is not otherwise compensable by Borrower hereunder).

                  11.3.3.  CONDITIONS TO INITIAL ADVANCES. All of the conditions
                  in Section 11.1 have been and remain satisfied.

                  11.3.4.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The Representations
                  and Warranties are true and correct as of the time of the
                  issuance of such Letter of Credit.

                  11.3.5.  NO DEFAULT. There is no Existing Default and no
                  Default or Event of Default will occur as a result of the
                  issuance of the Letter of Credit or the incurrence of
                  Borrower's reimbursement obligations with respect thereto.

                  11.3.6.  NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. Since the date of the
                  most recent prior Advance or issuance of a Letter of Credit
                  nothing has occurred which has had or is reasonably likely to
                  have a Material Adverse Effect.

12.      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Except as otherwise described in the
Disclosure Schedule that is attached hereto as Exhibit 12, Borrower represents
and warrants to Lender as follows (and such representations and warranties shall
survive the execution of each of the Loan Documents and the making of every
Advance):

         12.1.    ORGANIZATION AND EXISTENCE. Each Covered Person is duly
         organized and existing in good standing under the Laws of the state of
         its organization, is duly qualified to do business and is in good
         standing in every state where the nature or extent of its business or
         properties require it to be qualified to do business, except where the
         failure to so qualify will not have a Material Adverse Effect. Each
         Covered Person has the power and authority to own its properties and
         carry on its business as now being conducted.

         12.2.    AUTHORIZATION. Each Covered Person is duly authorized to
         execute and perform every Loan Document to which such Covered Person is
         a party, and Borrower is duly authorized to

                                       10
<PAGE>
         borrow hereunder, and execution, delivery and performance under this
         Agreement and the other Loan Documents has been duly authorized. No
         consent, approval or authorization of, or declaration or filing with,
         any Governmental Authority, and no consent, approval or authorization
         by any other Person, is required in connection with Borrower's
         execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement and the other Loan
         Documents, except for those already duly obtained, copies of which have
         been delivered to Lender.

         12.3.    DUE EXECUTION. Every Loan Document to which a Covered Person
         is a party has been executed on behalf of such Covered Person by a
         legally competent Person duly authorized to do so.

         12.4.    ENFORCEABILITY OF OBLIGATIONS. Each of the Loan Documents to
         which a Covered Person is a party constitutes the legal, valid and
         binding obligation of such Covered Person, enforceable against such
         Covered Person in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that
         the enforceability thereof against such Covered Person may be limited
         by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar Laws
         affecting creditors' rights generally or by equitable principles of
         general application.

         12.5.    BURDENSOME OBLIGATIONS. No Covered Person is a party to or
         bound by any Contract or is subject to any provision in the Charter
         Documents of such Covered Person which would, if performed by such
         Covered Person, result in a Default or Event of Default either
         immediately or within the reasonably foreseeable future.

         12.6.    LEGAL RESTRAINTS. Neither the execution and delivery of, nor
         performance under, any Loan Document by a Covered Person will violate
         or constitute a default under the Charter Documents of such Covered
         Person, any Material Agreement of such Covered Person, or, to
         Borrower's knowledge, any Material Law, or, except as expressly
         contemplated or permitted in this Agreement, result in any Security
         Interest being imposed on any of such Covered Person's property.

         12.7.    LABOR DISPUTES. There is no pending or, to Borrower's
         knowledge, threatened union organization or recognition effort, strike,
         work stoppage, material unfair labor practice claim or other material
         labor dispute against or affecting any Covered Person or its employees
         which has had or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse
         Effect.

         12.8.    NO MATERIAL PROCEEDINGS. There are no pending or, to
         Borrower's knowledge, threatened Material Proceedings involving a
         Covered Person. None of the operations of any Covered Person are the
         subject of any judicial or administrative complaint, order or
         proceeding alleging the violation of any applicable Environmental Law
         which might result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the operations
         of any Covered Person are the subject of investigation by any
         Governmental Authority regarding the improper transportation, storage,
         disposal, generation or release into the environment of any Hazardous
         Material, the results of which are reasonably likely to have a Material
         Adverse Effect, or reduce materially the value of the Collateral.

         12.9.    MATERIAL LICENSES. All Material Licenses have been obtained or
         exist for each Covered Person.

         12.10.   COMPLIANCE WITH MATERIAL LAWS. To Borrower's knowledge, each
         Covered Person is in compliance with all Material Laws. Without
         limiting the generality of the foregoing, the operations and employee
         compensation practices of every Covered Person comply in all material
         respects with all applicable Material Laws.

                                       11
<PAGE>
         12.11.   S CORPORATION. There is no election in effect under Section
         1362(a) of the Code for Borrower to be treated as an S Corporation as
         defined in Section 1361(a) of the Code.

         12.12.   SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES. Borrower has no Affiliates who
         are not individuals and has no Subsidiaries other than those listed in
         item 12.12 of the Disclosure Schedule.

         12.13.   MARGIN STOCK. Borrower is not engaged and will not engage,
         principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of
         extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock
         (within the meaning of Regulation U), and none of the proceeds of any
         Advance will be used to purchase or carry any such margin stock or to
         extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any
         such margin stock or for any purpose which violates, or which would be
         inconsistent with, the provisions of Regulation U. None of the
         transactions contemplated by any Acquisition Documents will violate
         Regulations T, U or X.

         12.14.   SECURITIES MATTERS. No proceeds of any Advance will be used to
         acquire any security in a tender offer transaction which is subject to
         Section 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

         12.15.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The Financial Statements of Borrower as
         of December 31, 2001 as delivered to Lender by Borrower are complete
         and correct in all material respects, have been prepared in accordance
         with GAAP, and fairly reflect the financial condition, results of
         operations and cash flows of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the
         date and for the periods stated therein.

         12.16.   NO CHANGE IN CONDITION. Since the date of the Financial
         Statements, nothing has occurred which has had or is reasonably likely
         to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         12.17.   NO DEFAULTS. To Borrower's knowledge, no Covered Person has
         breached or violated or otherwise defaulted under any Material
         Agreement, or has defaulted with respect to any Material Obligation of
         such Covered Person. There is no Existing Default.

         12.18.   INVESTMENTS. No Covered Person has any Investments in other
         Persons except Permitted Investments.

         12.19.   INDEBTEDNESS. No Covered Person has any Indebtedness except
         Permitted Indebtedness.

         12.20.   INDIRECT OBLIGATIONS. No Covered Person has any Indirect
         Obligations except Permitted Indirect Obligations.

         12.21.   CAPITAL LEASES. No Covered Person has an interest as a lessee
         under any Capital Lease, except for Capital Leases for capital assets
         whose aggregate cost if purchased would not exceed $750,000.

         12.22.   TAX LIABILITIES; GOVERNMENTAL CHARGES. Each Covered Person has
         filed or caused to be filed all tax reports and returns required to be
         filed by it with any Governmental Authority, except where extensions
         have been properly obtained or where failure to file is not reasonably
         likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each Covered Person has paid
         or made adequate provision for payment of all Taxes of such Covered
         Person, except Taxes which are being diligently contested in good faith
         by appropriate proceedings and as to which such Covered Person has
         established adequate reserves in conformity with GAAP. No Security
         Interest for any such Taxes has been filed and no claims are being
         asserted with respect to any such Taxes which,

                                       12
<PAGE>
         if adversely determined, has or is reasonably likely to have a Material
         Adverse Effect. There are no material unresolved issues concerning any
         Tax liability.

         12.23.   PENSION BENEFIT PLANS. All Pension Benefit Plans maintained by
         each Covered Person or an ERISA Affiliate of such Covered Person
         qualify under Section 401 of the Code and are in compliance with the
         provisions of ERISA. Except with respect to events or occurrences which
         do not have and are not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse
         Effect on such Covered Person:

                  12.23.1. PROHIBITED TRANSACTIONS. None of such Pension Benefit
                  Plans has participated in, engaged in or been a party to any
                  non-exempt prohibited transaction as defined in ERISA or the
                  Code, and no officer, director or employee of a Covered Person
                  or of an ERISA Affiliate of such Covered Person has committed
                  a breach of any of the responsibilities or obligations imposed
                  upon fiduciaries by Title I of ERISA.

                  12.23.2. CLAIMS. Other than normal claims for benefits, there
                  are no claims, pending or threatened, involving any such
                  Pension Benefit Plan by a current or former employee (or
                  beneficiary thereof) of such Covered Person or ERISA Affiliate
                  of such Covered Person, nor is there any reasonable basis to
                  anticipate any claims involving any such Pension Benefit Plan
                  which would likely be successfully maintained against such
                  Covered Person or ERISA Affiliate of such Covered Person.

                  12.23.3. REPORTING AND DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS. There are no
                  violations of any reporting or disclosure requirements with
                  respect to any such Pension Benefit Plan and none of such
                  Pension Benefit Plans has violated any applicable Law,
                  including ERISA and the Code.

                  12.23.4. ACCUMULATED FUNDING DEFICIENCY. No such Pension
                  Benefit Plan has (i) incurred an accumulated funding
                  deficiency (within the meaning of Section 412(a) of the Code),
                  whether or not waived; (ii) been a Pension Benefit Plan with
                  respect to which a Reportable Event (to the extent that the
                  reporting of such events to the PBGC within thirty days of the
                  occurrence has not been waived) has occurred and is
                  continuing; or (iii) been a Pension Benefit Plan with respect
                  to which there exist conditions or events which have occurred
                  that present a significant risk of termination of such Pension
                  Benefit Plan by the PBGC.

                  12.23.5. MULTI-EMPLOYER PLAN. All Multi-employer Plans to
                  which any Covered Person contributes or is obligated to
                  contribute are listed in item 12.23.5 of the Disclosure
                  Schedule. No Covered Person or ERISA Affiliate of such Covered
                  Person has received notice that any such Multi-employer Plan
                  is in reorganization or has been terminated within the meaning
                  of Title IV of ERISA, and no such Multi-employer Plan is
                  reasonably expected to be in reorganization or to be
                  terminated within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.

         12.24.   WELFARE BENEFIT PLAN LIABILITIES. No Covered Person or ERISA
         Affiliate of such Covered Person maintains a Welfare Benefit Plan that
         has a liability which, if enforced or collected, is reasonably likely
         to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each Covered Person and ERISA
         Affiliate of such Covered Person has complied in all material respects
         with the applicable requirements of Section 4980B of the Code
         pertaining to continuation coverage as mandated by COBRA.

         12.25.   RETIREE BENEFITS. No Covered Person or ERISA Affiliate of such
         Covered Person has an obligation to provide any Person with any
         medical, life insurance, or similar benefit following

                                       13
<PAGE>
         such Person's retirement or termination of employment (or to such
         Person's beneficiary subsequent to such Person's death), including
         obligations under COBRA, which if enforced or collected, is reasonably
         likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         12.26.   OTHER NAMES. No Covered Person has used any name other than
         the full name which identifies such Covered Person in this Agreement.
         The only trade name or style under which a Covered Person sells
         Inventory or creates Accounts, or to which instruments in payment of
         Accounts are made payable, is the name which identifies such Covered
         Person in this Agreement.

         12.27.   CHIEF PLACE OF BUSINESS. As of the Execution Date, the only
         chief executive office and the principal places of business of Borrower
         are located at the places listed and so identified in item 12.28 of the
         Disclosure Schedule.

         12.28.   REAL PROPERTY. Item 12.28 of the Disclosure Schedule contains
         a correct and complete list of (i) the street addresses and a general
         description of all real property owned by Borrower, and (ii) a list of
         all leases and subleases of real property by Borrower, with Borrower
         identified for each as the lessee, sublessee, lessor, or sublessor, as
         is the case, together with the street addresses and a general
         description of the real property involved and the names of the other
         parties to such leases and subleases. Each of such leases and subleases
         is valid and enforceable in accordance with its terms and is in full
         force and effect, and no default by any party to any such lease or
         sublease exists which has had or is reasonably likely to have a
         Material Adverse Effect.

         12.29.   STATE OF COLLATERAL AND OTHER PROPERTY. Each Covered Person
         has good and marketable or merchantable title to all real and personal
         property purported to be owned by it or reflected in the Financial
         Statements, except for personal property sold in the ordinary course of
         business after the date of the Financial Statements. There are no
         Security Interests on any of the property purported to be owned by any
         Covered Person, including the Collateral, except Permitted Security
         Interests. Each tangible item of personal property purported to be
         owned by a Covered Person is in good operating condition and repair and
         is suitable for the use to which it is customarily put by its owner,
         except in the case of immaterial items of office equipment. With
         respect to each Account scheduled, listed or referred to in reports or
         Financial Statements submitted by any Covered Person to Lender, except
         as disclosed therein: (i) the Account arose from a bona fide
         transaction completed in accordance with the terms of any documents
         pertaining to such transaction; (ii) there are no facts, events or
         occurrences which in any way impair the validity or enforcement of the
         Account or tend to reduce the amount payable thereunder as shown on the
         applicable Covered Person's books and records and all invoices and
         statements delivered to Lender with respect thereto; and (iii) the
         Account arose in the ordinary course of the applicable Covered Person's
         business.

         12.30.   HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ON REAL PROPERTY. No Covered Person, nor
         to Borrower's knowledge, any other Person, has at any time transported,
         stored, disposed of, generated or released any Hazardous Material on
         the surface, below the surface, or within the boundaries of any of the
         real property owned or operated by Borrower. Borrower has no knowledge
         of any Hazardous Material on the surface, below the surface, or within
         the boundaries of any of the real property owned or operated by
         Borrower. None of the real property owned or operated by Borrower is
         subject to a Security Interest in favor of any Governmental Authority
         for any liability under any Environmental Law or damages arising from
         or costs incurred by such Governmental Authority in response to a spill
         or release of Hazardous Material into the environment.

         12.31.   CAPITALIZATION. The authorized capital stock, issued and
         outstanding capital stock, and other equity interests in each Covered
         Person are as described in item 12.31 of the Disclosure Schedule, and
         all issued and outstanding shares and other equity interests of each
         Covered Person

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<PAGE>
         are validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable, and
         are owned beneficially and of record by the Persons listed.

         12.32.   SECURITY DOCUMENTS. Each Security Document is effective to
         grant to Lender an enforceable Security Interest in the Collateral
         described therein. Upon appropriate filing (as to all Collateral in
         which a Security Interest may be perfected under the UCC by filing) or
         Lender's taking possession or control (as to all Collateral in which a
         Security Interest may be perfected under the UCC by possession or
         control by the secured party), Lender will have a fully perfected first
         priority Security Interest in the Collateral described in each Security
         Document.

         12.33.   NEGATIVE PLEDGES. No Covered Person is a party to or bound by
         any Contract which prohibits the creation or existence of any Security
         Interest upon or assignment or conveyance of any of the Collateral.

         12.34.   SOLVENCY. Borrower is Solvent.

         12.35.   FILINGS. All registration statements, reports, proxy
         statements and other documents, if any, required to be filed by
         Borrower with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the
         Securities Act of 1933, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, have
         been filed, and such filings are complete and accurate and contain no
         untrue statements of material fact or omit to state any material facts
         required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
         statements therein not misleading.

13.      AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS. Borrower covenants and agrees that, while any of
the Commitments remains in effect or any of the Loan Obligations are owing to
Lender by Borrower, Borrower shall do, or cause to be done, the following:

         13.1.    USE OF PROCEEDS. Proceeds of Revolving Advances may be used
         only for working capital and general corporate purposes and for
         Permitted Acquisitions.

         13.2.    CORPORATE EXISTENCE. Each Covered Person shall maintain its
         existence in good standing and shall maintain in good standing its
         right to transact business in those states in which it is now or
         hereafter doing business, except where the failure to so qualify is not
         reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         13.3.    MATERIAL LICENSES. Each Covered Person shall obtain and
         maintain all Material Licenses for such Covered Person.

         13.4.    MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTY AND LEASES. Each Covered Person shall
         maintain in good condition and working order, ordinary wear and tear
         excepted, and repair and replace as required, all buildings, equipment,
         machinery, fixtures and other real and personal property which is
         necessary for the ordinary conduct of the business of such Covered
         Person. Each Covered Person shall maintain in good standing and free of
         defaults all of its leases of buildings, equipment, machinery, fixtures
         and other real and personal property whose useful economic life has not
         elapsed and which is necessary for the ordinary conduct of the business
         of such Covered Person.

         13.5.    INSURANCE. Each Covered Person shall at all times keep insured
         or cause to be kept insured, in insurance companies having a rating of
         at least A by Best's Rating Service, all property owned by it of a
         character usually insured by others carrying on businesses similar to
         that of such Covered Person in such manner and to such extent and
         covering such risks as such properties are usually insured and
         otherwise satisfactory to Lender. Each Covered Person shall at all
         times carry insurance, in insurance companies having a rating of at
         least A by Best's Rating

                                       15
<PAGE>
         Service, against liability on account of damage to persons or property
         (including product liability insurance and insurance required under all
         applicable workers' compensation Laws) and covering all other
         liabilities common to such Covered Person's business, in such manner
         and to such extent as such coverage is usually carried by others
         conducting businesses similar to that of such Covered Person and
         otherwise satisfactory to Lender. All policies of liability insurance
         maintained hereunder shall name Lender as an additional insured. All
         policies of insurance maintained hereunder shall contain a clause
         providing that such policies may not be canceled, reduced in coverage
         or otherwise modified without 30 days prior written notice to Lender.
         Borrower shall upon request of Lender at any time furnish to Lender
         updated evidence of insurance (in the form required as a condition to
         Lender's lending hereunder) for such insurance.

         13.6.    PAYMENT OF TAXES AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS. Each Covered Person
         shall promptly pay and discharge or cause to be paid and discharged, as
         and when due, all Taxes lawfully assessed or imposed upon it, and all
         Taxes lawfully assessed upon any of the Collateral or its other
         property, or upon the income or profits therefrom, and all claims of
         materialmen, mechanics, carriers, warehousemen, landlords and other
         like Persons for labor, materials, supplies, storage or other items or
         services which if unpaid might be or become a Security Interest or
         charge upon any of the Collateral or its other property; provided,
         however, that a Covered Person may diligently contest in good faith by
         appropriate proceedings the validity of any such Taxes if Borrower has
         established adequate reserves therefor in conformity with GAAP on the
         books of such Covered Person, and no Security Interest, other than a
         Permitted Security Interest, results from such non-payment.

         13.7.    COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. Each Covered Person shall comply with
         all Material Laws. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing:

                  13.7.1.  ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS. Each Covered Person shall comply
                  and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure
                  compliance by all tenants, subtenants and other occupants of
                  the real property owned or operated by such Covered Person,
                  with all Environmental Laws whose violation has or is
                  reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Affect.

                  13.7.2.  PENSION BENEFIT PLANS. Each Covered Person and each
                  ERISA Affiliate of such Covered Person shall at all times make
                  prompt payments or contributions to meet the minimum funding
                  standards under ERISA and the Code with respect to any Pension
                  Benefit Plan maintained by such Covered Person or ERISA
                  Affiliate of such Covered Person, and shall comply with all
                  reporting and disclosure requirements and all provisions of
                  the Code and ERISA applicable to any Pension Benefit Plan
                  maintained by such Covered Person or ERISA Affiliate of such
                  Covered Person if non-compliance therewith has or is
                  reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Affect.

         13.8.    DISCOVERY AND CLEAN-UP OF HAZARDOUS MATERIAL. Upon
         any Covered Person receiving notice of any violation of Environmental
         Laws, or upon any Covered Person otherwise discovering Hazardous
         Material on any real property owned or operated by such Covered Person
         which is in violation of, or which is reasonably likely to result in
         liability under, any Environmental Law, Borrower shall: (i) promptly
         take such acts as may be necessary to prevent danger or harm to the
         affected property or any person therein as a result of such Hazardous
         Material; (ii) at the request of Lender, and at Borrower's sole cost
         and expense, obtain and deliver to Lender promptly, but in no event
         later than 90 days after such request, a then currently dated
         environmental

                                       16
<PAGE>
         assessment of the property certified to Lender and any future holder of
         the Loan Obligations, a proposed plan for responding to any
         environmental problems described in such assessment, and an estimate of
         the costs thereof; and (iii) take all necessary steps to initiate and
         expeditiously complete all removal, remedial, response, corrective and
         other action to eliminate any such environmental problems, and keep
         Lender informed of such actions and the results thereof.

         13.9.    TERMINATION OF PENSION BENEFIT PLAN. No Covered Person or
         ERISA Affiliate of such Covered Person shall terminate or amend any
         Pension Benefit Plan maintained by such Covered Person or ERISA
         Affiliate of such Covered Person if such termination or amendment would
         result in any liability to such Covered Person or ERISA Affiliate of
         such Covered Person under ERISA which has or is reasonably likely to
         have a Material Adverse Effect.

         13.10.   SERVICE FEE; CASH MANAGEMENT AND TRUST SERVICES BUSINESS.
         Borrower shall pay to Lender a recurring, non-refundable monthly
         service fee of $10,000 on the first day of each calendar month
         beginning July 1, 2002, unless Borrower and each of the other Covered
         Persons transfers its cash management and trust services business, and
         its principal operating accounts, to Lender within 60 days of the
         Effective Date and thereafter maintains such business and accounts with
         Lender.

         13.11.   NOTICE TO LENDER OF MATERIAL EVENTS; MINIMUM STATUTORY NET
         WORTH REQUIREMENTS. Borrower shall, promptly upon any Responsible
         Officer of Borrower obtaining knowledge or notice thereof, give written
         notice in reasonable detail to Lender of (i) any Default or Event of
         Default; (ii) the commencement of any Material Proceeding; (iii) any
         loss of or damage to any of the Collateral or any material part of the
         other assets of a Covered Person or the commencement of any proceeding
         for the condemnation or other taking of any of the Collateral or any
         material part of the other assets of a Covered Person, if such loss,
         damage or proceeding has or is reasonably likely to have a Material
         Adverse Effect, and (iv) any violation by any Covered Person of the
         minimum statutory net worth requirements imposed by any Governmental
         Authority to which Borrower or such Covered Person is subject. Borrower
         shall deliver written notice to Lender of any change in the name, state
         of incorporation, or form of organization of any Covered Person, or the
         trade names or styles under which a Covered Person conducts business,
         at least 30 days prior to such change. Borrower shall, promptly after
         becoming aware thereof, deliver notice to Lender of any event that has
         or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. Borrower
         shall notify Lender in writing promptly of any fact or condition of
         which any Responsible Officer is aware which materially reduces the
         value of the Collateral as a whole or reduces the value of any material
         item of the Collateral, together with the estimated amount of such
         reduction.

         13.12.   BORROWING OFFICER. Borrower shall keep on file with Lender at
         all times an appropriate instrument naming each Borrowing Officer.

         13.13.   MAINTENANCE OF SECURITY INTERESTS OF SECURITY DOCUMENTS.

                  13.13.1. PRESERVATION AND PERFECTION OF SECURITY INTERESTS.
                  Borrower shall promptly, upon the reasonable request of Lender
                  and at Borrower's expense, execute, acknowledge and deliver,
                  or cause the execution, acknowledgment and delivery of, and
                  thereafter file or record in the appropriate governmental
                  office, any document or instrument supplementing or confirming
                  the Security Documents or otherwise deemed necessary by Lender
                  to create, preserve or perfect any Security Interest purported
                  to be created by the Security Documents or to fully consummate
                  the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents. The
                  foregoing actions by Borrower shall include (i) filing
                  financing or continuation statements, and amendments thereof,
                  in form and substance satisfactory to Lender; (ii) delivering
                  to Lender the originals of all instruments, documents and
                  chattel

                                       17
<PAGE>
                  paper, and all other Collateral of which Lender determines it
                  should have physical possession in order to perfect and
                  protect Lender's Security Interest therein, duly endorsed or
                  assigned to Lender without restriction; and (iii) placing a
                  notice of the existence of Lender's Security Interest,
                  acceptable to Lender, upon those writings evidencing the
                  Collateral and the books and records of Borrower pertaining to
                  the Collateral, as designated by Lender. Borrower hereby
                  authorizes Lender to file in the appropriate governmental
                  office any financing statement (including amendments and
                  continuations thereof) deemed necessary by Lender in
                  connection with the Security Documents or otherwise deemed
                  necessary by Lender to create, preserve or perfect any
                  Security Interest purported to be created by the Security
                  Documents.

                  13.13.2. COMPLIANCE WITH TERMS OF SECURITY DOCUMENTS.
                  Borrower shall comply with all of the terms, conditions and
                  covenants in the Security Documents to which Borrower is a
                  party.

         13.14.   ACCOUNTING SYSTEM. Each Covered Person shall maintain a system
         of accounting from which financial statements may be prepared in
         accordance with GAAP.

         13.15.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Borrower shall deliver to Lender:

                  13.15.1. ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Within 90 days after the
                  close of each fiscal year of Borrower, year-end consolidated
                  and consolidating Financial Statements of Borrower and its
                  Subsidiaries, containing a balance sheet, income statement,
                  statement of cash flows and an audit report without
                  qualification by a nationally recognized independent certified
                  public accounting firm selected by Borrower, and in each case
                  accompanied by (a) a Compliance Certificate of the Chief
                  Financial Officer of Borrower, and (b) a certificate of the
                  independent certified public accounting firm that examined
                  such Financial Statements to the effect that they have
                  reviewed and are familiar with this Agreement and that, in
                  examining such Financial Statements, they did not become aware
                  of any fact or condition which then constituted a Default or
                  Event of Default, except for those, if any, described in
                  reasonable detail in such certificate.

                  13.15.2. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Within 45 days after
                  the end of each quarter, internally prepared unaudited
                  consolidated and consolidating Financial Statements of
                  Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the quarters not covered by
                  the latest year-end Financial Statements, in each case
                  containing a balance sheet, income statement and statement of
                  cash flows, accompanied by a Compliance Certificate of the
                  Chief Financial Officer of Borrower.

                  13.15.3. QUARTERLY STATUTORY STATEMENTS. Within 60 days after
                  the end of each fiscal quarter of Borrower, each Covered
                  Person's Minimum Regulatory Capital and Surplus Report.

                  Each Compliance Certificate shall be in the form of Exhibit
                  13.15, shall contain detailed calculations of the financial
                  measurements referred to in Section 15 for the relevant
                  periods, and shall contain statements by the signing officer
                  to the effect that, except as explained in reasonable detail
                  in such Compliance Certificate, (i) the attached Financial
                  Statements are complete and correct in all material respects
                  (subject, in the case of Financial Statements other than
                  annual, to normal year-end audit adjustments) and (except in
                  the case of the Minimum Regulatory Capital and Surplus Report
                  described in Section 13.15.3) have been prepared in accordance
                  with GAAP applied consistently throughout the periods covered
                  thereby and with prior periods (except as disclosed

                                       18
<PAGE>
                  therein), (ii) all of the Representations and Warranties are
                  true and correct as of the date such certification is given as
                  if made on such date, and (iii) there is no Existing Default.
                  If any Compliance Certificate delivered to Lender discloses
                  that a representation or warranty is not true and correct, or
                  that a Default or Event of Default has occurred that has not
                  been waived in writing by Lender, such Compliance Certificate
                  shall state what action Borrower has taken or proposes to take
                  with respect thereto.

         13.16.   OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION. Borrower shall also deliver to
         Lender the following:

                  13.16.1. STOCKHOLDER AND SEC INFORMATION. Promptly after their
                  preparation, copies of all (i) proxy statements, financial
                  statements and reports which Borrower makes available to its
                  stockholders, and (ii) reports, registration statements and
                  prospectuses, if any, filed by Borrower with any securities
                  exchange or the Securities and Exchange Commission or any
                  Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its functions.

                  13.16.2. MONTHLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Upon Lender's written
                  request (which will remain effective until withdrawn and need
                  not be provided each month), within 30 days of the end of each
                  month, monthly internally prepared consolidated and
                  consolidating financial statements of Borrower and its
                  Subsidiaries for the months not covered by the latest
                  quarterly Financial Statements, in each case containing a
                  balance sheet, income statement and statement of cash flows.

                  13.16.3. BUDGETS. Within 30 days after the beginning of each
                  fiscal year of Borrower, a budget for such fiscal year for
                  Borrower and its Subsidiaries in form and detail satisfactory
                  to Lender.

                  13.16.4. ADDITIONAL. Promptly upon Lender's written request
                  (which will remain effective until withdrawn and need not be
                  provided each month), such additional information about the
                  business, operations, revenues, financial condition, property,
                  or business prospects of Borrower as Lender may, from time to
                  time, reasonably request.

         13.17.   AUDITS BY LENDER. After reasonable notice, Lender or Persons
         authorized by and acting on behalf of Lender may at any time and from
         time to time during normal business hours audit the books and records,
         and inspect any of the property, of each Covered Person from time to
         time upon reasonable notice to such Covered Person, and in the course
         thereof may make copies or abstracts of such books and records
         (provided, however, that no notice shall be required prior to such
         audit or inspection at any time there is an Existing Default). Each
         Covered Person shall cooperate with Lender and such Persons in the
         conduct of such audits and shall deliver to Lender any instrument
         necessary for Lender to obtain records from any service bureau
         maintaining records for such Covered Person. Borrower shall reimburse
         Lender for all costs and expenses actually incurred by it in conducting
         each audit. Borrower shall be required to reimburse Lender for only one
         such audit in each fiscal year, unless there is an Existing Default, in
         which case Borrower shall be required to reimburse Lender for all such
         audits conducted by Lender.

         13.18.   ACCESS TO OFFICERS AND AUDITORS. Each Covered Person shall
         permit Lender and Persons authorized by Lender to discuss the Accounts,
         affairs, finances, books and records of such Covered Person with its
         accountants, officers and employees as often as Lender may reasonably
         request, and such Covered Person shall direct such accountants,
         officers and employees to cooperate with Lender and make full
         disclosure to Lender of those matters that they may deem relevant to
         the continuing ability of Borrower timely to pay and perform the Loan
         Obligations.

                                       19
<PAGE>

         13.19. ACQUISITION DOCUMENTS. Each Covered Person shall fully perform
         all of its obligations under all Acquisition Documents, and shall
         enforce all of its rights and remedies thereunder, in each case as it
         deems appropriate in its reasonable business judgment; provided,
         however, that such Covered Person shall not take any action or
         knowingly fail to take any action which would result in a waiver or
         other loss of any material right or remedy of such Covered Person
         thereunder.

         13.20. FURTHER ASSURANCES. Borrower shall execute and deliver, or cause
         to be executed and delivered, to Lender such documents and agreements,
         and shall take or cause to be taken such actions, as Lender may from
         time to time request to carry out the terms and conditions of this
         Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

14.      NEGATIVE COVENANTS. Borrower covenants and agrees that, while any of
the Commitments remains in effect or any of the Loan Obligations are owing to
Lender by Borrower or any of the Letters of Credit are outstanding, Borrower
shall not, directly or indirectly, do any of the following, or permit any
Covered Person to do any of the following, without the prior written consent of
Lender:

         14.1.    INVESTMENTS. Make any Investments in any other Person except
         the following:

                  14.1.1. Investments which are described in Borrower's
                  investment policy attached hereto as item 14.1 of the
                  Disclosure Schedule, which may not modified or replaced
                  without Lender's prior written consent.

                  14.1.2. Accounts arising in the ordinary course of business
                  and payable in accordance with Borrower's customary trade
                  terms.

                  14.1.3. Investments that are Permitted Acquisitions.

                  14.1.4. Investments by any Covered Person in any other Covered
                  Person.

         14.2.    INDEBTEDNESS. Create, incur, assume, or allow to exist any
         Indebtedness of any kind or description, except the following:

                  14.2.1. Indebtedness to trade creditors incurred in the
                  ordinary course of business, to the extent that it is not
                  overdue past the original due date by more than 90 days.

                  14.2.2. The Loan Obligations.

                  14.2.3. Indebtedness secured by Permitted Security Interests.

                  14.2.4. Indebtedness existing on the Execution Date and
                  disclosed in item 14.2.4 of the Disclosure Schedule.

         14.3.    PREPAYMENTS. Voluntarily prepay any Indebtedness other than
         (a) the Loan Obligations in accordance with the terms of the Loan
         Documents and (b) trade payables in the ordinary course of business.

         14.4.    INDIRECT OBLIGATIONS. Create, incur, assume or allow to
         exist any Indirect Obligations which exceed $750,000 in the aggregate
         at any time, except Indirect Obligations existing on the Execution Date
         and disclosed in item 12.20 of the Disclosure Schedule.

         14.5.    SECURITY INTERESTS. Create, incur, assume or allow to exist
         any Security Interest upon all or any part of its property, real or
         personal, now owned or hereafter acquired, except the following:

                                       20
<PAGE>

                  14.5.1. Security Interests for taxes, assessments or
                  governmental charges not delinquent or being diligently
                  contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings and for
                  which adequate book reserves in accordance with GAAP are
                  maintained.

                  14.5.2. Security Interests arising out of deposits in
                  connection with workers' compensation insurance, unemployment
                  insurance, old age pensions, or other social security or
                  retirement benefits legislation.

                  14.5.3. Deposits or pledges to secure bids, tenders, contracts
                  (other than contracts for the payment of money), leases,
                  statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, and other
                  obligations of like nature arising in the ordinary course of
                  business.

                  14.5.4. Security Interests imposed by any Law, such as
                  mechanics', workmen's, materialmen's, landlords', carriers',
                  or other like Security Interests arising in the ordinary
                  course of business which secure payment of obligations which
                  are not past due or which are being diligently contested in
                  good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate
                  book reserves in accordance with GAAP are maintained.

                  14.5.5. Purchase money Security Interests securing payment of
                  the purchase price of capital assets acquired by Borrower
                  after the Execution Date in an amount not to exceed $250,000
                  in the aggregate during any fiscal year of Borrower.

                  14.5.6. Security Interests in favor of Lender.

                  14.5.7. Security Interests existing on the Execution Date that
                  are disclosed in item 12.29 of the Disclosure Schedule.

         14.6.    ACQUISITIONS. Acquire stock, membership interests or any other
         equity interest in a Person, or acquire all or substantially all of the
         assets of a Person (including without limitation assets comprising all
         or substantially all of an unincorporated business unit or division of
         any Person) (in each case, an Acquisition); except an Acquisition with
         respect to which all of the following requirements have been met (in
         each case a Permitted Acquisition):

                  14.6.1. There is no Existing Default and no Default or Event
                  of Default will occur as a result of such Acquisition.

                  14.6.2. At least 30 days prior to the consummation of such
                  Acquisition, Borrower shall have prepared and furnished to
                  Lender pro forma consolidated and consolidating financial
                  statements for Borrower giving effect to such Acquisition,
                  demonstrating to the satisfaction of Lender that Borrower will
                  be Solvent upon consummation of such Acquisition and upon the
                  passage of time thereafter, and that none of the covenants in
                  Section 15 will be violated as a consequence of such
                  Acquisition or with the passage of time thereafter. Such pro
                  forma financial statements shall contain balance sheets,
                  income statements, statements of cash flows and such other
                  reports and disclosures, and shall cover such historical
                  periods and forecast periods, as Lender may in its discretion
                  require. Borrower shall also provide to Lender copies of the
                  audited financial statements (if available, or unaudited
                  financial statements if no audited financial statements exist)
                  for the Person which is the subject of such Acquisition for
                  the three fiscal years most recently ended and for each of the
                  completed months in the then current fiscal year.

                                       21
<PAGE>

                  14.6.3. The Acquisition must be non-hostile and must be of
                  assets, or equity interests in a Person based in the United
                  States and in the same or similar line of business as
                  Borrower.

                  14.6.4. The Covered Person which is a party to such
                  Acquisition shall pledge to Lender the stock, membership
                  interests, or other equity interests in such other Person
                  acquired by such Covered Person in such Acquisition on terms
                  satisfactory to Lender.

                  14.6.5. Borrower shall have promptly delivered to Lender any
                  financial information or due diligence materials (including
                  UCC search results) regarding the target of the proposed
                  Acquisition as Lender may reasonably request, along with
                  copies of all documents executed and delivered in connection
                  with the proposed Acquisition in final form.

         14.7.    DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY. Sell, transfer, exchange, lease, or
         otherwise dispose of any material portion of its assets except (i) in
         the ordinary course of business or (ii) sales of capital assets which
         have been approved in writing in advance by Lender, which approval will
         not be unreasonably withheld.

         14.8.    DISTRIBUTIONS. Directly or indirectly declare or make, or
         incur any liability to make, any Distribution without the prior written
         consent of Lender. For purposes of this Section, a Distribution means
         and includes (i) any cash dividend, (ii) any purchase or redemption of
         any outstanding stock, (iii) any retirement or prepayment of
         outstanding debt securities before their regularly scheduled maturity
         dates, and (iv) any loan or advance to a shareholder.

         14.9.    CHANGE OF CONTROL. Merge or consolidate with or into another
         Person, or permit any Person or Group to (i) become the record or
         beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities representing
         20% or more of the voting power of Borrower's outstanding securities
         having the power to vote, or (ii) acquire the power to elect a majority
         of the Board of Directors of Borrower.

         14.10.   CAPITAL STRUCTURE; EQUITY SECURITIES. Make any change in its
         capital structure which has or could have a Material Adverse Effect; or
         create any new class of stock or issue any stock, or issue any other
         equity securities or non-equity securities that are convertible into
         equity securities except common stock and other securities that are
         subordinated in right of payment to all the Loan Obligations in a
         manner satisfactory to Lender.

         14.11.   CHANGE OF BUSINESS. Engage in any business other than
         substantially as conducted on the Execution Date or managed health care
         business.

         14.12.   TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES. Enter into or be a party to any
         transaction or arrangement, including the purchase, sale or exchange of
         property of any kind or the rendering of any service, with any
         Affiliate, or make any Loans or advances to any Affiliate. If there is
         no Existing Default, however, Borrower may engage in such transactions
         in the ordinary course of business and pursuant to the reasonable
         requirements of its business and on fair and reasonable terms
         substantially as favorable to it as those which it could obtain in a
         comparable arm's-length transaction with a non-Affiliate.

         14.13.   CONFLICTING AGREEMENTS. Enter into any agreement, that would,
         if fully complied with by it, result in a Default or Event of Default
         either immediately or in a reasonably foreseeable time.

                                       22
<PAGE>

         14.14.   NEW SUBSIDIARIES. Acquire any Subsidiary unless it is part
         of a Permitted Acquisition, or organize or create any Subsidiary
         unless, in either case, contemporaneously with the acquisition,
         organization, or creation of such Subsidiary, (i) the applicable
         Covered Person executes and delivers to Lender a pledge of 100% of such
         Subsidiary's capital stock, membership interests, or other equity
         interests on terms satisfactory to Lender, (ii) such Subsidiary becomes
         (and agrees in writing that it is) a Covered Person under this
         Agreement, and (iii) all of the representations and warranties
         contained in this Agreement are true and correct with respect to such
         Subsidiary as of the date of acquisition, organization, or creation.

         14.15.   FISCAL YEAR. Change its fiscal year.

         14.16.   TERMINATION OF PENSION BENEFIT PLAN. Terminate or amend any
         Pension Benefit Plan maintained by any Covered Person or such ERISA
         Affiliate if such termination or amendment would result in any
         liability to such Covered Person or such ERISA Affiliate under ERISA or
         any increase in current liability for the plan year for which such
         Covered Person or such ERISA Affiliate is required to provide security
         to such Pension Benefit Plan under the Code.

         14.17.   TRANSACTIONS HAVING A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT. Enter into any
         transaction which has or is reasonably likely to have a Material
         Adverse Effect.

15.      FINANCIAL COVENANTS.

         15.1.    SPECIAL DEFINITIONS. As used in this Section 15 and
         elsewhere in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms have the
         following meanings:

         EBITDA -- for any period of calculation, an amount equal to the sum of
         (i) Net Income, (ii) Interest Expense in such period, (iii) federal,
         state and local income tax expense, and (iv) depreciation and
         amortization expense.

         Interest Expense -- for any period of calculation, all interest,
         whether paid in cash or accrued as a liability, but without
         duplication, on Indebtedness during such period.

         Senior Indebtedness -- at any date, the sum of all Indebtedness of
         Borrower to Lender.

         Tangible Assets -- at any date, all assets as determined in accordance
         with GAAP except: (a) deferred assets; (b) patents, copyrights,
         trademarks, trade names, franchises, goodwill, and other similar
         intangibles; (c) unamortized debt discount and expense; and (d) fixed
         assets to the extent of any write-up in the book value thereof
         resulting from a revaluation.

         Tangible Net Worth -- at any date: (a) the book value (net of
         depreciation, obsolescence, amortization, valuation and other proper
         reserves determined in accordance with GAAP) at which Tangible Assets
         would be shown on a balance sheet at such date prepared in accordance
         with GAAP; less (b) the amount at which all liabilities would be shown
         on such balance sheet, including as liabilities all reserves for
         contingencies and other potential liabilities which would be shown on
         such balance sheet or disclosed in the notes thereto.

         15.2.    MINIMUM TANGIBLE NET WORTH. Borrower's Tangible Net Worth
         shall not be less than $47,000,000 as of the Effective Date, and as of
         the end of each fiscal quarter of Borrower shall not be less than an
         amount equal to the sum of $47,000,000 plus (i) an amount equal to 50%
         of the net proceeds (defined as gross proceeds less reasonable brokers'
         and underwriters' fees and commissions and other reasonable issuing
         expenses of the issuance) of the issuance by Borrower or any Covered
         Person of any equity securities, or warrants or options therefor on a
         cumulative

                                       23
<PAGE>

         basis from the Effective Date through the date of measurement; plus
         (ii) an amount equal to 50% of any increase in Borrower's Tangible Net
         Worth associated with any Permitted Acquisition on a cumulative basis
         from the Effective Date through the date of measurement.

         15.3.    MINIMUM EBITDA. Borrower's EBITDA, measured as of the last
         day of each fiscal quarter for the fiscal quarter then ended
         (calculated on a pro forma basis giving effect to any Permitted
         Acquisition in such quarter), shall not be less than $1,500,000.

         15.4.    MAXIMUM LEVERAGE RATIO. The ratio of (i) Borrower's Senior
         Indebtedness as of the end of any fiscal quarter of Borrower to (ii) an
         amount equal to (a) Borrower's EBITDA for such fiscal quarter
         (calculated on a pro forma basis giving effect to any Permitted
         Acquisition in such quarter) multiplied by (b) four shall not be
         greater than 2.00 to 1.00.

16.      DEFAULT.

         16.1.    EVENTS OF DEFAULT. Any one or more of the following shall
         constitute an Event of Default:

                  16.1.1. FAILURE TO PAY PRINCIPAL OR INTEREST. Failure by
                  Borrower to make any principal or interest payment on the
                  Loans when due under the Loan Documents.

                  16.1.2. FAILURE TO PAY OTHER AMOUNTS OWED TO LENDER. Failure
                  of Borrower to pay any of the Loan Obligations (other than
                  principal or interest on the Loans) or any other amount owed
                  to Lender within five days after notice from Lender that the
                  same is due.

                  16.1.3. FAILURE TO PAY AMOUNTS OWED TO OTHER PERSONS. Failure
                  of any Covered Person to make any payments on any Indebtedness
                  of such Covered Person in an aggregate amount greater than
                  $100,000 to Persons other than Lender (other than Indebtedness
                  arising from claims which are being diligently contested in
                  good faith by such Covered Person by appropriate proceedings
                  and as to which such Covered Person has established adequate
                  reserves in conformity with GAAP), which continues unwaived
                  beyond any applicable grace periods specified in the documents
                  evidencing such Indebtedness.

                  16.1.4. ACCELERATION OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS. Any Obligation of
                  Borrower (other than the Loan Obligations) for the payment of
                  borrowed money becomes or is declared to be due and payable or
                  required to be prepaid (other than by a regularly scheduled
                  payment or prepayment) prior to the original maturity thereof
                  as a consequence of a default with respect thereto by
                  Borrower.

                  16.1.5. REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES. Any of the
                  Representations and Warranties is discovered to have been
                  false in any material respect when made or deemed made.

                  16.1.6. COVENANTS. Failure of Borrower to comply with any
                  term, condition, agreement, or covenant applicable to Borrower
                  herein or in the Loan Documents. Notwithstanding the foregoing
                  sentence, a failure to comply with covenants 13.2, 13.3, 13.4,
                  13.5, 13.6, 13.7, 13.8, 13.9, 13.12, 13.13, or 13.20 of this
                  Agreement shall not constitute an Event of Default if such
                  failure is remedied or waived in writing by Lender within 30
                  days after the initial occurrence of such failure; provided,
                  however, that no such grace period shall apply, and an Event
                  of Default shall exist promptly upon such failure to comply,
                  if such failure may not, in Lender's reasonable determination,
                  be cured by Borrower during such 30 day period.

                                       24
<PAGE>

                  16.1.7. DEFAULT UNDER OTHER AGREEMENTS. The occurrence of any
                  default or event of default under any agreement to which
                  Borrower is a party (other than the Loan Documents) which
                  default or event of default continues unwaived beyond any
                  applicable grace period provided therein and either (i)
                  involves Obligations requiring payments by Borrower totaling
                  greater than $100,000 or (ii) has or is reasonably likely to
                  have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  16.1.8. BANKRUPTCY; INSOLVENCY; ETC. Borrower (i) fails to
                  pay, or admits in writing its inability to pay, its debts
                  generally as they become due, or otherwise becomes insolvent
                  (however evidenced); (ii) makes a general assignment for the
                  benefit of creditors; (iii) files a petition in bankruptcy, is
                  adjudicated insolvent or bankrupt, petitions or applies to any
                  tribunal for any receiver or any trustee of Borrower or any
                  substantial part of its property; (iv) commences any
                  proceeding relating to Borrower under any reorganization,
                  arrangement, readjustment of debt, dissolution or liquidation
                  Law or statute of any jurisdiction, whether now or hereafter
                  in effect; (v) has commenced against it any such proceeding
                  which remains undismissed for a period of ninety days, or by
                  any act indicates its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence
                  in any such proceeding or the appointment of any receiver of
                  or any trustee for it or any substantial part of its property,
                  or allows any such receivership or trusteeship to continue
                  undischarged for a period of 90 days; or (vi) takes any
                  corporate action to authorize any of the foregoing.

                  16.1.9. JUDGMENTS; ATTACHMENT; ETC. Any one or more judgments
                  or orders is entered against Borrower or any attachment or
                  other levy is made against the property of Borrower, including
                  but not limited to the Collateral, with respect to a claim or
                  claims involving in the aggregate liabilities (not paid or
                  fully covered by insurance, less the amount of deductibles
                  satisfactory to Lender on the Execution Date) greater than
                  $100,000, and, in the case of a judgment or order, such
                  judgment or order becomes final and non-appealable or if
                  timely appealed is not fully bonded and collection thereof
                  stayed pending the appeal; or any Covered Person enters into
                  an agreement to settle any claim or controversy and the total
                  amount (at current value based on a capitalization rate of
                  10%) of the monetary Obligations of such Covered Person under
                  such agreement is in excess of $100,000.

                  16.1.10. PENSION BENEFIT PLAN TERMINATION, ETC. Any
                  termination by the PBGC of a Pension Benefit Plan of Borrower
                  or an ERISA Affiliate of Borrower or the appointment by the
                  appropriate United States District Court of a trustee to
                  administer any Pension Benefit Plan of Borrower or an ERISA
                  Affiliate of Borrower or to liquidate any Pension Benefit Plan
                  of Borrower or an ERISA Affiliate of Borrower; or any event
                  which constitutes grounds either for the termination of any
                  Pension Benefit Plan of Borrower or an ERISA Affiliate of
                  Borrower by PBGC or for the appointment by the appropriate
                  United States District Court of a trustee to administer or
                  liquidate any Pension Benefit Plan of Borrower or an ERISA
                  Affiliate of Borrower has occurred and is continuing for 30
                  days after Borrower has notice of any such event; or any
                  voluntary termination of any Pension Benefit Plan of Borrower
                  or an ERISA Affiliate of Borrower which is a defined benefit
                  pension plan as defined in Section 3(35) of ERISA while such
                  defined benefit pension plan has an accumulated funding
                  deficiency, unless Lender has been notified of such intent to
                  voluntarily terminate such plan and Lender has given its
                  consent and agreed that such event shall not constitute an
                  Event of Default; or the plan administrator of any Pension
                  Benefit Plan of Borrower or an ERISA Affiliate of Borrower
                  applies under Section 412(d) of the Code for a waiver of the
                  minimum funding standards of Section 412(1) of the Code and
                  Lender determines that the substantial business hardship

                                       25
<PAGE>

                  upon which the application for such waiver is based could
                  subject Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of Borrower to a
                  liability in excess of $100,000.

                  16.1.11. LIQUIDATION OR DISSOLUTION. Borrower files a
                  certificate of dissolution under applicable state Law or is
                  liquidated or dissolved, or has commenced against it any
                  action or proceeding for its liquidation or dissolution, or
                  takes any corporate action in furtherance thereof.

                  16.1.12. SEIZURE OF ASSETS. Any material part of the
                  Collateral or a substantial part of the other property of
                  Borrower is nationalized, expropriated, seized or otherwise
                  appropriated, or custody or control of such property or of
                  Borrower is assumed by any Governmental Authority, unless the
                  same is being contested in good faith by appropriate
                  proceedings diligently pursued and a stay of enforcement is in
                  effect.

                  16.1.13. LOAN DOCUMENTS; SECURITY INTERESTS. Any Loan Document
                  ceases to be in full force and effect or any Security Interest
                  in any of the Collateral is not or ceases to be (other than as
                  a result of voluntary release thereof by Lender) valid,
                  perfected and prior to all other Security Interests (other
                  than relevant Permitted Security Interests) or is terminated,
                  revoked or declared void or invalid.

                  16.1.14. MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. There occurs any event which
                  has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         16.2.    CROSS DEFAULT. An Event of Default under this Agreement will
         automatically and immediately constitute a default under any other
         agreement between Borrower and Lender or any Affiliate of Lender and
         under any evidence of Indebtedness of any Borrower held by Lender or
         any Affiliate of Lender, whether or not it is defined as such therein
         and without regard to any requirement therein for the giving of notice
         or the passing of time.

         16.3.    RIGHTS AND REMEDIES UPON AN EVENT OF DEFAULT.

                  16.3.1. CANCELLATION OF COMMITMENTS. Upon the occurrence of an
                  Event of Default described in Section 16.1.8, the Commitments
                  shall be deemed canceled without presentment, demand or notice
                  of any kind. Upon any other Event of Default, and at any time
                  thereafter, Lender may cancel the Commitments. Such
                  cancellation may be without demand or notice of any kind,
                  which Borrower expressly waives.

                  16.3.2. ACCELERATION. Upon the occurrence of an Event of
                  Default described in Section 16.1.8, all of the outstanding
                  Loan Obligations shall automatically become immediately due
                  and payable. Upon any other Event of Default, and at any time
                  thereafter, Lender may declare all of the outstanding Loan
                  Obligations immediately due and payable. Such acceleration in
                  either case may be without presentment, demand or notice of
                  any kind, which Borrower expressly waives.

                  16.3.3. RIGHT OF SET-OFF. Upon the occurrence of any Event of
                  Default and at any time and from time to time thereafter,
                  Lender is hereby authorized, without notice to Borrower (any
                  such notice being expressly waived by Borrower), to set off
                  and apply against the Loan Obligations any and all deposits
                  (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at
                  any time held, or any other Indebtedness at any time owing by
                  Lender to or for the credit or the account of Borrower (other
                  than any account maintained by a Covered Person in which such
                  Person is required by Law to maintain a minimum balance,
                  provided Borrower has given prior written notice to Lender of
                  such requirement

                                       26
<PAGE>

                  specifying the account number, owner, and financial
                  institution where such account is maintained), irrespective of
                  whether or not Lender has made any demand under the Loan
                  Documents and although such Loan Obligations may be unmatured.
                  The rights of Lender under this Section are in addition to
                  other rights and remedies (including, without limitation,
                  other rights of set-off) which Lender may otherwise have.

                  16.3.4. EXERCISE OF RIGHTS AS SECURED PARTY. Upon an Event of
                  Default and acceleration of the Loan Obligations as provided
                  herein, and at any time and from time to time thereafter:

                           16.3.4.1. Lender may exercise any or all of its
                           rights under the Security Documents, if any;

                           16.3.4.2. Lender may exercise any or all of its
                           rights as a secured party under the UCC and any other
                           applicable Law; and

                           16.3.4.3. Lender may sell or otherwise dispose of any
                           or all of the Collateral at public or private sale in
                           a commercially reasonable manner, for cash or credit,
                           and after giving any notice as may be required by any
                           applicable Law. Lender may postpone any such sale
                           from time to time by announcement at the time and
                           place of sale stated in the notice of sale or by
                           announcement at any adjourned sale without being
                           required to give a new notice of sale, all as Lender
                           deems advisable. Lender may become the purchaser at
                           any such sale if permissible under applicable Law,
                           and Lender may, in lieu of actual payment of the
                           purchase price, offset the amount thereof against
                           Borrower's Loan Obligations owing to Lender, and
                           Borrower agrees that Lender has no obligation to
                           preserve rights to Collateral against prior parties
                           or to marshal any Collateral for the benefit of any
                           Person. In connection with the advertising for sale,
                           selling, or otherwise realizing upon any of the
                           Collateral securing the obligations of Borrower to
                           Lender, Lender may use and is hereby granted a
                           license to use, without charge or liability to Lender
                           therefor, any of Borrower's labels, trade names,
                           trademarks, trade secrets, service marks, patents,
                           patent applications, licenses, certificates of
                           authority, advertising materials, or any of
                           Borrower's other properties or interests in
                           properties of similar nature, to the extent that such
                           use thereof is not prohibited by agreements under
                           which Borrower has rights therein, and all of
                           Borrower's rights under license, franchise and
                           similar agreements shall inure to Lender's benefit.

                  16.3.5. MISCELLANEOUS. Upon the occurrence of an Event of
                  Default and at any time thereafter, Lender may exercise any
                  other rights and remedies available to Lender under the Loan
                  Documents or otherwise available to Lender at law or in
                  equity.

         16.4.    APPLICATION OF FUNDS. Any funds received by Lender with
         respect to the Loan Obligations after acceleration of the Loan
         Obligations as provided herein, including proceeds of Collateral, shall
         be applied as follows: (i) first, to reimburse Lender for any amounts
         due to Lender under Section 20.7; (ii) second, to reimburse to Lender
         all unreimbursed costs and expenses paid or incurred by Lender that are
         payable or reimbursable by Borrower hereunder; (iii) third, to
         reimburse to Lender all unreimbursed costs and expenses paid or
         incurred by Lender (including costs and expenses incurred by Lender as
         Lender that are not reimbursable as provided in the preceding clause)
         that are payable or reimbursable by Borrower hereunder; (iv) fourth, to
         payment of accrued and unpaid fees due under the Loan Documents and all
         other amounts due under the Loan Documents (other than the Loans and
         interest accrued thereon); (v) fifth, to

                                       27
<PAGE>

         payment of interest accrued on the Loans; (vi) sixth, to payment of the
         Loans; and (vii) seventh, to payment of the other Loan Obligations. Any
         amounts remaining after the application of funds and proceeds as
         provided in this Section shall be paid to Borrower, or to such other
         Persons as are legally entitled thereto. Borrower hereby irrevocably
         waives the right to direct the application of payments and proceeds of
         the Collateral.

         16.5.    LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; WAIVER. Lender shall not be liable to
         Borrower as a result of any commercially reasonable possession,
         repossession, collection or sale by Lender of Collateral; and Borrower
         hereby waives all rights of redemption from any such sale and the
         benefit of all valuation, appraisal and exemption Laws. If Lender seeks
         to take possession of any of the Collateral by replevin or other court
         process after an Event of Default, Borrower hereby irrevocably waives
         (i) the posting of any bonds, surety and security relating thereto
         required by any statute, court rule or otherwise as an incident to such
         possession, (ii) any demand for possession of the Collateral prior to
         the commencement of any suit or action to recover possession thereof,
         (iii) any requirement that Lender retain possession and not dispose of
         any Collateral until after trial or final judgment, and (iv) to the
         extent permitted by applicable Law, all rights to notice and hearing
         prior to the exercise by Lender of its right to repossess the
         Collateral without judicial process or to replevy, attach or levy upon
         the Collateral without notice or hearing. No Lender shall have any
         obligation to preserve rights to the Collateral or to marshall any
         Collateral for the benefit of any Person.

         16.6.    NOTICE. Any notice of intended action required to be given by
         either Lender (including notice of a public or private sale of
         Collateral), if given as provided in Section 21.1 at least 10 days
         prior to such proposed action, shall be effective and constitute
         reasonable and fair notice to Borrower.

17.      CHANGES IN CIRCUMSTANCES.

         17.1.    COMPENSATION FOR INCREASED COSTS AND REDUCED RETURNS; CAPITAL
         ADEQUACY.

                  17.1.1. INCREASED COSTS OR REDUCED RETURNS TO LENDER. If,
                  after the date hereof, the adoption of any applicable Law or
                  any change in any applicable Law or any change in the
                  interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental
                  Authority charged with the interpretation or administration
                  thereof, or compliance by Lender (or the Lending Office) with
                  any request or directive (whether or not having the force of
                  law) of any such Governmental Authority:

                           17.1.1.1. subjects Lender (or the Lending Office) to
                           any Tax with respect to any Eurodollar Loan or its
                           obligation to make any Advance that will be a
                           Eurodollar Loan, or change the basis of taxation of
                           any amounts payable to Lender (or the Lending Office)
                           under this Agreement in respect of any Eurodollar
                           Loan (other than Taxes imposed on the overall net
                           income of Lender by the jurisdiction in which Lender
                           has its principal office or the Lending Office);

                           17.1.1.2. imposes, modifies, or deems applicable any
                           reserve, special deposit, assessment, compulsory Loan
                           or similar requirement (other than the Reserve
                           Requirement utilized in the determination of the
                           Eurodollar Rate) relating to any extensions of credit
                           or other assets of, or any deposits

                           with or other liabilities or commitments of, Lender
                           (or the Lending Office), including the Commitments j
                           of Lender hereunder; or

                                       28
<PAGE>

                           17.1.1.3. imposes on Lender (or the Lending Office),
                           or the London interbank market, any other condition
                           affecting this Agreement, the Commitments or any of
                           the Loan Obligations;

                           and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase
                           the cost to Lender (or the Lending Office) of making,
                           converting into, continuing, or maintaining any Loans
                           or to reduce any sum received or receivable by Lender
                           (or the Lending Office) under this Agreement or any
                           of the other Loan Documents with respect to any of
                           the Loans, then Borrower shall pay to Lender on
                           demand such amount or amounts as will compensate
                           Lender for such increased cost or reduction. If
                           Lender requests compensation by Borrower under this
                           Section Borrower may, by notice to Lender, suspend
                           the obligation of Lender to make or continue Loans of
                           the type with respect to which such compensation is
                           requested, or to convert Loans of any other type into
                           Loans of such type, until the event or condition
                           giving rise to such request ceases to be in effect
                           (in which case the provisions of Section 17.5 shall
                           be applicable); provided, however, that such
                           suspension shall not affect the right of Lender to
                           receive the compensation so requested.

         17.2.    LIMITATIONS ON EURODOLLAR LOANS. If on or prior to the first
         day of any Interest Period for any Eurodollar Loan:

                  17.2.1. Lender determines (which determination shall be
                  conclusive) that by reason of circumstances affecting the
                  relevant market, adequate and reasonable means do not exist
                  for ascertaining the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period;
                  or

                  17.2.2. Lender determines (which determination shall be
                  conclusive) that the Eurodollar Rate will not adequately and
                  fairly reflect the cost to Lender of funding Eurodollar Loans
                  for such Interest Period;

                  then Lender will give Borrower prompt notice thereof, and
                  while such condition remains in effect, Lender will have no
                  obligation to make additional Advances that will be Eurodollar
                  Loans, to continue Eurodollar Loans, or to convert Adjusted
                  Base Rate Loans into Eurodollar Loans.

         17.3.    ILLEGALITY. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
         Agreement, in the event that it becomes unlawful for Lender or the
         Lending Office to make Advances that will be Eurodollar Loans or
         maintain Eurodollar Loans hereunder, then Lender shall promptly notify
         Borrower thereof and Lender's obligation to do so or to convert
         Adjusted Base Rate Loans into Eurodollar Loans shall be suspended until
         such time as Lender may again do so, and Lender's outstanding
         Eurodollar Loans shall be converted into Adjusted Base Rate Loans in
         accordance with Section 17.5.

         17.4.    COMPENSATION. Upon the request of Lender, Borrower shall
         pay to Lender such amount or amounts as will be sufficient (in the
         reasonable determination of Lender) to compensate it for any loss,
         cost, or expense (including loss of anticipated profits) incurred by it
         as a result of:

                  17.4.1. any payment, prepayment, or conversion of a Eurodollar
                  Loan for any reason (including, without limitation, the
                  acceleration of the Loans pursuant to the terms hereof) on a
                  date other than the last day of the Interest Period for such
                  Eurodollar Loan; or

                                       29
<PAGE>

                  17.4.2. any failure by Borrower for any reason (other than
                  pursuant to Section 17.2 or 17.3) to take an Advance that is
                  requested to be a Eurodollar Loan or to convert, continue, or
                  prepay a Eurodollar Loan on the date therefor specified in the
                  relevant request for an Advance or notice of prepayment,
                  continuation, or conversion under this Agreement.

                  If Lender claims compensation under this Section 17.4, Lender
                  shall furnish a certificate to Borrower that states the amount
                  to be paid to it hereunder and includes a description in
                  reasonable detail of the method used by Lender in calculating
                  such amount. Borrower shall have the burden of proving that
                  the amount of any such compensation calculated by Lender is
                  not correct. Any compensation payable by Borrower to Lender
                  under this Section shall be payable without regard to whether
                  Lender has funded any Advance or Eurodollar Loan through the
                  purchase of deposits in an amount or of a maturity
                  corresponding to the deposits used as a reference in
                  determining the Eurodollar Rate as provided herein.

         17.5.    TREATMENT OF AFFECTED LOANS. If the obligation of Lender to
         make an Advance that will be a Eurodollar Loan or to continue any
         Eurodollar Loan or to convert any Adjusted Base Rate Loan into a
         Eurodollar Loan shall be suspended pursuant to Section 17.2 or 17.3
         each such Loan shall be automatically and immediately converted into an
         Adjusted Base Rate Loan on the last day of its Interest Period (or, in
         the case of a conversion required by Section 17.3, on such earlier date
         as Lender may specify to Borrower). Unless and until Lender gives
         notice as provided below that the circumstances specified in Section
         17.2 or 17.3 that gave rise to such conversion no longer exist:

                  17.5.1. to the extent that such Loans have been so converted,
                  all payments and prepayments of principal that would otherwise
                  be applied to such Loans shall continue to be made and applied
                  as provided for herein; and

                  17.5.2. all Advances by Lender that would otherwise become
                  Eurodollar Loans and all Loans that would otherwise be
                  continued by Lender as Eurodollar Loans shall become or be
                  continued instead as Adjusted Base Rate Loans, and all Loans
                  that would otherwise be converted into Eurodollar Loans shall
                  be converted instead into (or shall remain as) Adjusted Base
                  Rate Loans.

                  Lender shall give prompt notice to Borrower if and when the
                  circumstances specified in Section 17.2 or 17.3 that gave rise
                  to the conversion of such Loans pursuant to this Section 17.5
                  no longer exist.

18.      TAXES.

         18.1.    GROSS-UP. All payments by Borrower to or for the account of
         Lender hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made free
         and clear of and without deduction for all present or future Taxes,
         excluding franchise Taxes and Taxes imposed on Lender's net income, by
         the jurisdiction under the Laws of which Lender is organized or the
         Lending Office is located or any political subdivision thereof. If
         Borrower is required by Law to deduct any Taxes from or in respect of
         any sum payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to
         Lender, (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that
         after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable
         to additional sums payable under this Section) Lender receives an
         amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions
         been made, (ii) Borrower shall make such deductions, (iii) Borrower
         shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant taxation authority
         or other authority in accordance with applicable Law, and

                                       30
<PAGE>

         (iv) Borrower shall furnish to Lender, at its address referred to
         herein, the original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing
         payment thereof. In addition, Borrower agrees to pay any and all
         present or future Impositions. Impositions include stamp or documentary
         taxes and any other excise or property taxes or charges or similar
         levies which arise from the Loan Obligations, any payment made under
         this Agreement or any other Loan Document or from the execution or
         delivery of, or otherwise with respect to, the Loan Obligations, this
         Agreement or any other Loan Document. Borrower agrees to indemnify
         Lender for the full amount of all Impositions and Taxes, excluding
         franchise Taxes and Taxes imposed on Lender's net income, (including
         any such Taxes or Impositions imposed or asserted by any jurisdiction
         on amounts payable under this Section) paid by Lender and any liability
         (including penalties, interest and expenses) arising therefrom or with
         respect thereto. Within thirty days after the date of any payment of
         Taxes, Borrower shall furnish Lender the original or a certified copy
         of a receipt evidencing such payment.

         18.2.    LENDER'S UNDERTAKING. If Borrower is required to pay
         additional amounts to or for the account of Lender pursuant to Section
         18.1, then Lender will use reasonable efforts to change the
         jurisdiction of the Lending Office so as to eliminate or reduce any
         such additional payment which may thereafter accrue if such change, in
         the judgment of Lender, is not otherwise disadvantageous to Lender.

19.      USURY LIMITATIONS. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary
in Section 4 or elsewhere in any of the Loan Documents, Borrower shall not be
obligated to pay interest at a rate which exceeds the maximum rate permitted by
Law. If, but for this Section 19, Borrower would be deemed obligated to pay
interest at a rate which exceeds the maximum rate permitted by Law, or if any of
the Loan Obligations is paid or becomes payable before its originally scheduled
Maturity and as a result Borrower has paid or would be obligated to pay interest
at such an excessive rate, then (i) Borrower shall not be obligated to pay
interest to the extent it exceeds the interest that would be payable at the
maximum rate permitted by Law; (ii) if the outstanding Loan Obligations have not
been accelerated as provided in Section 16.3.2, any such excess interest that
has been paid by Borrower shall be refunded; (iii) if the outstanding Loan
Obligations have been accelerated as provided in Section 16.3.2, any such excess
that has been paid by Borrower shall be applied to the Loan Obligations as
provided in Section 16.4; and (iv) the effective rate of interest shall be
deemed automatically reduced to the maximum rate permitted by Law.

20.      GENERAL.

         20.1.    LENDER'S RIGHT TO CURE. Lender may from time to time, in its
         absolute discretion, for Borrower's account and at Borrower's expense,
         pay any amount or do any act required of Borrower under the Loan
         Documents or requested by Lender to preserve, protect, maintain or
         enforce the Loan Obligations, the Collateral or Lender's Security
         Interests therein, and which Borrower fails to pay or do, including
         payment of any judgment against Borrower, insurance premium, Taxes or
         assessments, warehouse charge, finishing or processing charge,
         landlord's claim, and any other Security Interest upon or with respect
         to the Collateral. All payments that Lender makes pursuant to this
         Section and all out-of-pocket costs and expenses that Lender pays or
         incurs in connection with any action taken by them hereunder shall be a
         part of the Loan Obligations, the repayment of which shall be secured
         by the Collateral. Any payment made or other action taken by Lender
         pursuant to this Section shall be without prejudice to any right to
         assert an Event of Default hereunder and to pursue Lender's other
         rights and remedies with respect thereto.

                                       31
<PAGE>

         20.2.    RIGHTS NOT EXCLUSIVE. Every right granted to Lender
         hereunder or under any other Loan Document or allowed to them at law or
         in equity shall be deemed cumulative and may be exercised from time to
         time.

         20.3.    SURVIVAL OF AGREEMENTS. All covenants and agreements made
         herein and in the other Loan Documents shall survive the execution and
         delivery of this Agreement, the Notes and other Loan Documents and the
         making of every Advance. All agreements, obligations and liabilities of
         Borrower under the Loan Documents concerning the payment of money to
         Lender, including Borrower's obligations under Sections 20.6 and 20.7,
         but excluding the obligation to repay the Loans and interest accrued
         thereon, shall survive the repayment in full of the Loans and interest
         accrued thereon, the return of the Notes to Borrower, and the
         termination or cancellation of the Commitments.

         20.4.    SALE OF PARTICIPATIONS. Lender may sell participations to
         one or more banks or other entities in all or a portion of its rights
         and obligations under this Agreement provided that the terms of sale
         satisfy the following requirements:

                  20.4.1. Lender's obligations under this Agreement shall remain
                  unchanged.

                  20.4.2. Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other
                  parties hereto for the performance of such obligations.

                  20.4.3. Lender shall remain the holder of the Notes for the
                  purpose of this Agreement.

                  20.4.4. Borrower and Lender shall continue to deal solely and
                  directly with each other in connection with Lender's rights
                  and obligations under this Agreement and with regard to
                  Advances and payments to be made under this Agreement.
                  Participation agreements between Lender and its participants
                  may, however, provide that Lender will obtain the approval of
                  such participant prior to Lender agreeing to any amendment or
                  waiver of any provisions of this Agreement which would (i)
                  extend the maturity of the Notes, (ii) reduce the interest
                  rate on the Loans, (iii) increase any of the Commitments of
                  Lender, or (iv) release all or any substantial part of the
                  Collateral other than in accordance with the terms of the Loan
                  Documents.

          Lender may furnish any information concerning Borrower or any of its
          Subsidiaries in the possession of Lender from time to time to
          participants (including prospective participants). Upon the sale of
          any such participation, Lender will notify Borrower of such sale and
          the identity of such participant (but will not be liable for failing
          to do so).

         20.5.    ASSIGNMENTS TO AFFILIATES. Lender may assign all or any
         portion of its interest in the Loans to its Affiliates without the
         acceptance or consent of Lender or Borrower, and may assign all or any
         portion of its interest in the Loans to the Federal Reserve Bank
         without acceptance or approval of Borrower. Upon such assignment,
         Lender will notify Borrower of such sale and the identity of such
         assignee (but will not be liable for failing to do so).

         20.6.    PAYMENT OF EXPENSES. Borrower agrees to pay or reimburse to
         Lender all of Lender's out-of-pocket costs incurred in connection with
         Lender's due diligence review before execution of the Loan Documents;
         the negotiation and preparation of the commitment letters and the Loan
         Documents; the perfection of Lender's Security Interest in any
         Collateral; the interpretation of any of the Loan Documents; the
         enforcement of Lender's rights and remedies under the Loan Documents
         after a Default or Event of Default; any amendment of or
         supplementation to any of

                                       32
<PAGE>

         the Loan Documents; and any waiver, consent or forbearance with respect
         to any Default or Event of Default. Out-of-pocket costs may include but
         are not limited to the following, to the extent they are actually paid
         or incurred: title insurance fees and premiums; the cost of searches
         for Security Interests existing against Borrower; recording and filing
         fees; fees for all required appraisals; environmental consultant fees;
         litigation costs; and all attorneys' and paralegals' expenses and
         reasonable fees. Attorneys' and paralegals' expenses may include but
         are not limited to filing charges; telephone, data transmission,
         facsimile and other communication costs; courier and other delivery
         charges; and photocopying charges. Litigation costs may include but are
         not limited to filing fees, deposition costs, expert witness fees,
         expenses of service of process, and other such costs paid or incurred
         in any administrative, arbitration, or court proceedings involving
         Lender and Borrower, including proceedings under the Federal Bankruptcy
         Code. All costs which Borrower is obligated to pay or reimburse to
         Lender are Loan Obligations payable to Lender, secured by the
         Collateral, and are payable on Lender's demand.

         20.7.    GENERAL INDEMNITY.

                  20.7.1. Borrower shall indemnify and hold harmless Lender and
                  its directors, officers, employees, agents, and
                  representatives (the Indemnified Parties) for, from and
                  against, and promptly reimburse the Indemnified Parties for,
                  any and all claims, damages, liabilities, losses, costs and
                  expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses
                  and amounts paid in settlement) incurred, paid or sustained by
                  the Indemnified Parties in connection with, arising out of,
                  based upon or otherwise involving or resulting from any
                  threatened, pending or completed action, suit, investigation
                  or other proceeding by, against or otherwise involving the
                  Indemnified Parties and in any way dealing with, relating to
                  or otherwise involving this Agreement, any of the other Loan
                  Documents, or any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby,
                  except to the extent that they arise from the gross
                  negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of any of the
                  Indemnified Parties. Borrower shall indemnify and hold
                  harmless the Indemnified Parties for, from and against, and
                  promptly reimburse the Indemnified Parties for, any and all
                  claims, damages, liabilities, losses, costs and expenses
                  (including reasonable attorneys' and consultant fees and
                  expenses, investigation and laboratory fees, removal,
                  remedial, response and corrective action costs, and amounts
                  paid in settlement) incurred, paid or sustained by the
                  Indemnified Parties as a result of the manufacture, storage,
                  transportation, release or disposal of any Hazardous Material
                  on, from, over or affecting any of the Collateral or any of
                  the assets, properties, or operations of Borrower or any
                  predecessor in interest, directly or indirectly, except to the
                  extent that they arise from the gross negligence, bad faith or
                  willful misconduct of any of the Indemnified Parties.

                  20.7.2. The obligations of Borrower under this Section 20.7
                  shall survive the termination or cancellation of the
                  Commitments, the payment and satisfaction of all of the Loan
                  Obligations, and the release of the Collateral.

                  20.7.3. To the extent that any of the indemnities required
                  from Borrower under this Section are unenforceable because
                  they violate any Law or public policy, Borrower shall pay the
                  maximum amount which it is permitted to pay under applicable
                  Law.

         20.8.    LETTERS OF CREDIT. Borrower assumes all risks of the acts or
         omissions of any beneficiary of any of the Letters of Credit. Neither
         Lender nor any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or
         representatives shall be liable or responsible for: (a) the use which
         may be made of any of the Letters of Credit or for any acts or
         omissions of beneficiary in connection therewith; (b) the validity,
         sufficiency or genuineness of documents, or of any endorsement(s)

                                       33
<PAGE>

         thereon, even if such documents should in fact prove to be in any or
         all respects invalid, insufficient, fraudulent or forged; (c) payment
         by Lender against presentation of documents which, on their face,
         appear to comply with the terms of any Letter of Credit, even though
         such documents may fail to bear any reference or adequate reference to
         any such Letter of Credit; or (d) any other circumstances whatsoever in
         making or failing to make payment under any Letter of Credit in
         connection with which Lender would, pursuant to the Uniform Customs and
         Practices for Documentary Credits (1993 Revision), International
         Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 500 (as amended from time to time)
         or the International Standby Practices (ISP98), be absolved from
         liability. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing,
         Lender may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order,
         without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any
         notice or information to the contrary.

         20.9.    LOAN RECORDS. The date and amount of all Advances and
         payments of amounts due from Borrower under the Loan Documents will be
         recorded in Lender's records and the records that Lender normally
         maintains for such types of transactions. The failure to record, or any
         error in recording, any of the foregoing shall not, however, affect the
         obligation of Borrower to repay the Loans and other amounts payable
         under the Loan Documents. Borrower shall have the burden of proving
         that Lender's records are not correct. Borrower agrees that Lender's
         books and records showing the Loan Obligations and the transactions
         pursuant to this Agreement shall be admissible in any action or
         proceeding arising therefrom, and shall constitute prima facie proof
         thereof, absent manifest error, irrespective of whether any Loan
         Obligation is also evidenced by a promissory note or other instrument.
         Lender will provide to Borrower a monthly statement of Advances,
         payments, and other transactions pursuant to this Agreement. Such
         statements shall be deemed correct, accurate and an account stated
         (except for reversals and reapplications of payments as provided in
         Section 8.4 and corrections of errors discovered by Lender), unless
         Borrower notifies Lender in writing to the contrary within 30 days
         after such statement is rendered. In the event a timely written notice
         of objections is given by Borrower, only the items to which exception
         is expressly made will be considered to be disputed by Borrower.

         20.10.   OTHER SECURITY AND GUARANTIES. Lender may, without notice or
         demand and without affecting Borrower's obligations hereunder, from
         time to time: (a) take from any Person and hold collateral (other than
         the Collateral) for the payment of all or any part of the Loan
         Obligations and exchange, enforce and release such collateral or any
         part thereof; and (b) accept and hold any endorsement or guaranty of
         payment of all or any part of the Loan Obligations and release or
         substitute any such endorser or guarantor, or any Person who has given
         any Security Interest in any other collateral as security for the
         payment of all or any part of the Loan Obligations, or any other Person
         in any way obligated to pay all or any part of the Loan Obligations.

21.      MISCELLANEOUS.

         21.1.    NOTICES. All notices, consents, requests and demands to
         or upon the respective parties hereto shall be in writing, and shall be
         deemed to have been given or made when delivered in person to those
         Persons listed on the signature pages hereof or three days after being
         deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, or, in the case
         of overnight courier services, when delivered to the overnight courier
         service, or in the case of facsimile machine notice, when sent,
         verification received, in each case addressed as set forth on the
         signature pages hereof, or such other address as either party may
         designate by notice to the other in accordance with the terms of this
         Section. No notice given to or demand made on Borrower by Lender in any
         instance shall entitle Borrower to notice or demand in any other
         instance.

                                       34
<PAGE>

         21.2.    AMENDMENTS, WAIVERS AND CONSENTS. Unless otherwise provided
         herein, no amendment to or modification of any provision of this
         Agreement, or of any of the other Loan Documents shall be effective
         unless it is in writing and signed by authorized officers of Borrower
         and Lender. Unless otherwise provided herein, no waiver of, or consent
         to any departure by Borrower from, the requirements of any provision of
         this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents shall be effective
         unless it is in writing and signed by an authorized officer of Lender.
         Any such amendment, modification, waiver or consent shall be effective
         only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No
         notice to or demand on Borrower in any case shall entitle Borrower to
         any other or further notice or demand in similar or other
         circumstances. No failure by Lender to exercise, and no delay by Lender
         in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder shall
         operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise
         by Lender of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude
         any other exercise thereof, or the exercise of any other right, remedy,
         power or privilege. Each and every right granted to Lender hereunder or
         under any other Loan Document or other document delivered hereunder or
         in connection with this Agreement or allowed to Lender at law or in
         equity shall be deemed cumulative and may be exercised from time to
         time.

         21.3.    SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall be binding
         upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and all future
         holders of the Notes and their respective successors and assigns,
         except that Borrower may not assign, delegate or transfer any of its
         rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written
         consent of Lender. With respect to Borrower's successors and assigns,
         such successors and assigns shall include any receiver, trustee or
         debtor-in-possession of or for Borrower.

         21.4.    SEVERABILITY. Any provision of this Agreement which is
         prohibited, unenforceable or not authorized in any jurisdiction shall,
         as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such
         prohibition, unenforceability or lack of authorization without
         invalidating the remaining provisions hereof or affecting the validity,
         enforceability or legality of such provision in any other jurisdiction
         unless the ineffectiveness of such provision would result in such a
         material change as to cause completion of the transactions contemplated
         hereby to be unreasonable.

         21.5.    COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed by the parties
         hereto on any number of separate counterparts, and all such
         counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same
         instrument. It shall not be necessary in making proof of this Agreement
         to produce or account for more than one counterpart signed by the party
         to be charged.

         21.6.    GOVERNING LAW; NO THIRD PARTY RIGHTS. This Agreement, the
         other Loan Documents and the Notes and the rights and obligations of
         the parties hereunder and thereunder shall be governed by and construed
         and interpreted in accordance with the internal Laws of the State of
         Illinois applicable to contracts made and to be performed wholly within
         such state, without regard to choice or conflict of laws provisions;
         except that the provisions of the Loan Documents pertaining to the
         creation or perfection of Security Interests or the enforcement of the
         rights of Lender in Collateral located in states other than Illinois,
         if any, and other related matters subject to the Law of such states,
         shall be governed by the Laws of such states. This Agreement is solely
         for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors
         and assigns, and no other Person shall have any right, benefit,
         priority or interest under, or because of the existence of, this
         Agreement.

         21.7.    COUNTERPART FACSIMILE EXECUTION. For purposes of this
         Agreement, a document (or signature page thereto) signed and
         transmitted by facsimile machine or telecopier is to be treated as an
         original document. The signature of any Person thereon, for purposes
         hereof, is to be

                                       35
<PAGE>

         considered as an original signature, and the document transmitted is to
         be considered to have the same binding effect as an original signature
         on an original document. At the request of any party hereto, any
         facsimile or telecopy document is to be re-executed in original form by
         the Persons who executed the facsimile or telecopy document. No party
         hereto may raise the use of a facsimile machine or telecopier or the
         fact that any signature was transmitted through the use of a facsimile
         or telecopier machine as a defense to the enforcement of this Agreement
         or any amendment or other document executed in compliance with this
         Section.

         21.8.    NO OTHER AGREEMENTS. There are no other agreements between
         Lender and Borrower, oral or written, concerning the subject matter of
         the Loan Documents, and all prior agreements concerning the same
         subject matter, including any term sheet or commitment letter, are
         merged into the Loan Documents and thereby extinguished.

         21.9.    NEGOTIATED TRANSACTION. Borrower and Lender represent one to
         the other that in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement they
         have been represented by and have relied upon the advice of counsel of
         their choice. Borrower and Lender affirm that their counsel have both
         had substantial roles in the drafting and negotiation of this Agreement
         and, therefore, this Agreement shall be deemed drafted by both Borrower
         and Lender, and the rule of construction to the effect that any
         ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafter shall not be
         employed in the interpretation of this Agreement.

         21.10.   JURY TRIAL WAIVER. BORROWER AND LENDER HEREBY WAIVE ANY
         RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION
         (1) ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR (2) IN
         ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS OF THE
         PARTIES HERETO OR ANY OF THEM IN RESPECT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER
         LOAN DOCUMENT, OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED HERETO OR THERETO, IN EACH
         CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER SOUNDING IN
         CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE. BORROWER AND LENDER AGREE AND CONSENT
         THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE DECIDED
         BY COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY AND THAT ANY OF THEM MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL
         COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN
         EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE PARTIES HERETO TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR
         RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

         21.11.   CHOICE OF FORUM. SUBJECT ONLY TO THE EXCEPTION IN THE NEXT
         SENTENCE, BORROWER AND LENDER HEREBY AGREE TO THE EXCLUSIVE
         JURISDICTION OF THE FEDERAL COURTS OF THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF
         ILLINOIS, AND THE STATE COURTS OF ILLINOIS LOCATED IN COOK COUNTY, AND
         WAIVE ANY OBJECTION BASED ON VENUE OR FORUM NON CONVENIENS WITH RESPECT
         TO ANY ACTION INSTITUTED THEREIN, AND AGREE THAT ANY DISPUTE CONCERNING
         THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LENDER AND BORROWER OR THE CONDUCT OF ANY OF
         THEM IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR
         OTHERWISE SHALL BE HEARD ONLY IN THE COURTS DESCRIBED ABOVE.
         NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING: (1) LENDER SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO BRING
         ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST BORROWER OR ITS PROPERTY IN ANY COURTS
         OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION LENDER DEEMS NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE IN
         ORDER TO REALIZE ON THE COLLATERAL, REAL ESTATE OR OTHER SECURITY FOR
         THE LOAN OBLIGATIONS, AND (2) EACH OF THE PARTIES

                                       36
<PAGE>

         HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT ANY APPEALS FROM THE COURTS DESCRIBED IN THE
         IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING SENTENCE MAY HAVE TO BE HEARD BY A COURT LOCATED
         OUTSIDE THOSE JURISDICTIONS.

         21.12.   SERVICE OF PROCESS. BORROWER HEREBY WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE
         OF ANY AND ALL PROCESS UPON IT AND CONSENTS THAT ALL SUCH SERVICE OF
         PROCESS MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED MAIL (RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED)
         DIRECTED TO BORROWER AT ITS ADDRESS SET FORTH ON THE SIGNATURE PAGES
         HEREOF, AND SERVICE SO MADE SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE COMPLETED FIVE (5)
         DAYS AFTER THE SAME SHALL HAVE BEEN SO DEPOSITED IN THE U.S. MAILS; OR
         AT LENDER'S OPTION, BY SERVICE UPON CT CORPORATION, WHICH BORROWER
         IRREVOCABLY APPOINTS AS BORROWER'S AGENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF ACCEPTING
         SERVICE OF PROCESS WITHIN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. LENDER SHALL PROMPTLY
         FORWARD BY REGISTERED MAIL ANY PROCESS SO SERVED UPON SAID AGENT TO
         BORROWER AT ITS ADDRESS ON THE SIGNATURE PAGES HEREOF. NOTHING IN THIS
         SECTION SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF LENDER TO SERVE LEGAL PROCESS IN ANY
         OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW.

         21.13.   INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE. All of the terms of the other Loan
         Documents are incorporated in and made a part of this Agreement by this
         reference.

         21.14.   STATUTORY NOTICE -- ORAL AGREEMENT. Nothing contained in the
         following notice shall be deemed to limit or modify the terms of the
         Loan Documents: ORAL AGREEMENTS OR COMMITMENTS TO LOAN MONEY, EXTEND
         CREDIT OR TO FORBEAR FROM ENFORCING REPAYMENT OF A DEBT INCLUDING
         PROMISES TO EXTEND OR RENEW SUCH DEBT ARE NOT ENFORCEABLE. TO PROTECT
         YOU (BORROWER) AND US (CREDITOR) FROM MISUNDERSTANDING OR
         DISAPPOINTMENT, ANY AGREEMENTS WE REACH COVERING SUCH MATTERS ARE
         CONTAINED IN THIS WRITING, WHICH IS THE COMPLETE AND EXCLUSIVE
         STATEMENT OF THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN US, EXCEPT AS WE MAY LATER AGREE IN
         WRITING TO MODIFY IT.

         Borrower acknowledges that there are no other agreements between Lender
         and Borrower, oral or written, concerning the subject matter of the
         Loan Documents, and that all prior agreements concerning the same
         subject matter, including any proposal or commitment letter, are merged
         in to the Loan Documents and thereby extinguished.

         21.15.   STATUTORY NOTICE -- INSURANCE. The following notice is given
         pursuant to Section 10 of the Collateral Protection Act set forth in
         Chapter 815 Section 180/1 of the Illinois Compiled Statutes (1996);
         nothing contained in such notice shall be deemed to limit or modify the
         terms of the Loan Documents: UNLESS YOU PROVIDE EVIDENCE OF THE
         INSURANCE COVERAGE REQUIRED BY YOUR AGREEMENT WITH US, WE MAY PURCHASE
         INSURANCE AT YOUR EXPENSE TO PROTECT OUR INTERESTS IN YOUR COLLATERAL.
         THIS INSURANCE MAY, BUT NEED NOT, PROTECT YOUR INTERESTS. THE COVERAGE
         THAT WE PURCHASE MAY NOT PAY ANY CLAIM THAT YOU MAKE OR ANY CLAIM THAT
         IS MADE AGAINST YOU IN CONNECTION WITH THE COLLATERAL. YOU MAY LATER
         CANCEL ANY INSURANCE PURCHASED BY US, BUT ONLY AFTER PROVIDING EVIDENCE
         THAT YOU HAVE OBTAINED INSURANCE AS REQUIRED BY OUR AGREEMENT. IF WE
         PURCHASE INSURANCE FOR THE COLLATERAL, YOU WILL BE

                                       37
<PAGE>

         RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COSTS OF THAT INSURANCE, INCLUDING THE INSURANCE
         PREMIUM, INTEREST AND ANY OTHER CHARGES WE MAY IMPOSE IN CONNECTION
         WITH THE PLACEMENT OF THE INSURANCE, UNTIL THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE
         CANCELLATION OR EXPIRATION OF THE INSURANCE. THE COSTS OF THE INSURANCE
         MAY BE ADDED TO YOUR TOTAL OUTSTANDING BALANCE OR OBLIGATION. THE COSTS
         OF THE INSURANCE MAY BE MORE THAN THE COST OF INSURANCE YOU MAY BE ABLE
         TO OBTAIN ON YOUR OWN.

         21.16.   CONFIDENTIALITY. Lender agrees to take normal and reasonable
         precautions and exercise due care, in accordance with its usual
         procedures, to maintain the confidentiality of all strategic or
         financial information of Borrower and the Covered Persons, and all
         other information of Borrower and the Covered Persons which Lender has
         been specifically notified should be treated as confidential, provided
         to it by Borrower or any Covered Person under any Loan Documents, and
         Lender shall not use any such information other than in connection with
         or in the enforcement of the Loan Documents or in connection with other
         business now or hereafter existing or contemplated with Borrower or any
         Covered Person; except to the extent such information (i) was or
         becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of
         disclosure by Lender, or (ii) was or becomes available on a
         non-confidential basis from a source other than Borrower or any Covered
         Person, provided that such source is not bound by a confidentiality
         agreement with Borrower or any Covered Person known to Lender;
         provided, however, that Lender may disclose such information (a) at the
         request or pursuant to any requirement of any Governmental Authority to
         which Lender is subject or in connection with an examination of Lender
         by any such Governmental Authority; (b) pursuant to subpoena or other
         court process; (c) when required to do so in accordance with the
         provisions of any applicable requirement of Law; (d) to the extent
         reasonably required in connection with any litigation or proceeding to
         which Lender may be party; (e) to the extent reasonably required in
         connection with the exercise of any remedy hereunder or under any other
         Loan Document; (f) to Lender's officers, auditors, examiners, and
         professional advisors; and (g) to any participant or assignee, actual
         or potential, provided that such Person agrees in writing to keep such
         information confidential to the same extent required of Lender
         hereunder.

               [THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY BLANK]

                                       38
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be
executed by appropriate duly authorized officers as of the date first above
written.

CENTENE CORPORATION                  LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

By: /s/ KAREY L. WITTY               By: /s/ ANN B. O'SHAUGHNESSY
Name:   Karey L. Witty               Name:   Ann B. O'Shaughnessy
Title:  Senior Vice President and    Title:  First Vice President
        Chief Financial Officer

Notice Address:                      Notice Address:

7711 Carondelet Avenue, Suite 800    135 South LaSalle Street
Clayton, Missouri 63105              Chicago, Illinois 60603
Attn: Karey L. Witty,                Attn: Ann O'Shaughnessy
Chief Financial Officer              Tel: 312-904-6769
Tel:  314-725-4477                   Fax: 312-904-4364
Fax:  314-725-5180
                                     with a copy to:
with a copy to:                      Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C.
                                     500 North Broadway
                                     St. Louis, Missouri 63102
                                     Attn: Steven C. Drapekin, Esq.
                                     Tel: 314-444-7600
                                     Fax: 314-241-6056<PAGE>

                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.21a

                                 REVOLVING NOTE

$25,000,000.00                                                 Chicago, Illinois
                                                                     May 1, 2002

         For value received, CENTENE CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation
("Borrower"), hereby promises to pay to the order of LASALLE BANK NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION, or to any subsequent holder hereof (in any case, "Holder"), the
principal amount of TWENTY-FIVE MILLION and 00/100 DOLLARS ($25,000,000.00) or
such lesser principal amount as has been advanced to Borrower under this note
(as this note may be amended, restated, extended, renewed, replaced, or
otherwise modified from time to time, this "Note"), together with interest
thereon, as provided herein.

         Borrower promises to pay the entire principal amount outstanding under
this Note on the Maturity Date. Borrower promises to pay, on the dates as
provided in the Loan Agreement (defined below), interest accrued from the date
hereof on the principal balance outstanding from time to time. Until Maturity,
by acceleration or otherwise, interest shall accrue at a per annum rate or rates
as determined pursuant to the Loan Agreement. At the option of Holder upon the
occurrence of an Event of Default as defined in the Loan Agreement, to the
extent permitted by law, interest shall accrue under this Note at the highest
default or post-maturity rate provided in the Loan Agreement (the "Default
Rate"). Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default, Holder may declare the
outstanding principal balance of this Note, all accrued but unpaid interest
thereon, and all other amounts owing to Holder under this Note and the Loan
Documents immediately due and payable, and such amounts shall become immediately
due and payable. After the Maturity Date, interest shall accrue at the Default
Rate. All interest shall be computed on the basis of a year deemed to consist of
360 days and paid for the actual number of days elapsed.

         Both principal and interest are payable in Dollars to Holder at the
Lending Office of Holder.

         This Note is delivered in connection with that certain Loan Agreement
dated as of even date herewith among Borrower and Holder (as it may be amended,
restated, extended, renewed, replaced, or otherwise modified from time to time,
the "Loan Agreement"). Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the
meanings given them in the Loan Agreement.

         This Note is secured under the Security Documents by the Collateral
described therein. The Loan Documents, including the Security Documents,
describe the rights of Holder with respect to the Collateral.

         Borrower is required to prepay the principal amount of this Note to the
extent required in the Loan Agreement. Borrower has the right to prepay the
principal amount of this Note to the extent and subject to the conditions
provided in the Loan Agreement.

         The date and amount of all advances and repayments of principal and
payments of interest will be recorded in the records that Holder normally
maintains for instruments and agreements similar to this Note and the other Loan
Documents. The failure to record, or any error in recording, any of the
foregoing does not, however, affect the obligation of Borrower to pay principal,
interest and other amounts as required under this Note and the other Loan
Documents. Borrower has the burden of proving that Holder's records are not
correct. Borrower agrees that Holder's books and records showing advances and
repayments are admissible in any action or proceeding arising therefrom, and
constitute prima facie proof thereof absent manifest error. Such records are
deemed accurate and binding on Borrower and an account stated, except as
expressly provided otherwise in the Loan Agreement.

<PAGE>

         Reference is made to the Loan Agreement for provisions regarding the
acceleration of the maturity hereof upon the occurrence of any Event of Default,
and such provisions are incorporated herein by this reference.

         If any payment required under this Note is not made when due, or upon
any other Event of Default, Borrower will pay all costs of collection, including
court costs and reasonable attorneys fees and actual expenses of such attorneys,
whether or not there is litigation, including representation of Holder and all
costs incurred in connection with any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding
involving Borrower as a debtor.

         Borrower and all other Persons who become parties obligated under this
Note, whether as guarantors, sureties, endorsers or otherwise, waive any right
to demand for payment, any requirement for protest or notice of dishonor, all
other rights to notice or demands with respect to this Note, any defense based
on lack of diligence in the enforcement of this Note, and any defense which such
party may have based on suretyship or impairment of collateral. Every such party
assents to each and every extension or postponement of the time of payment,
whether at or after demand, or other indulgence, and waives any right to notice
thereof.

         No amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Note, or
consent to any departure by Borrower herefrom, will be effective unless the same
is in writing signed by an authorized officer of Holder, and then only in the
specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given. No failure on
the part of Holder to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right under this
Note operates as a waiver thereof, and no single or partial exercise by Holder
of any right under this Note precludes any other or further exercise thereof, or
the exercise of any other right. Each and every right granted to Holder under
this Note or allowed to it at law or in equity is cumulative and such remedies
may be exercised from time to time concurrently or consecutively at Holder's
option.

         All notices required to be given or which may be given in connection
with this Note shall be given in the manner required for notices under the Loan
Agreement.

         This Note is governed by and shall be construed and interpreted in
accordance with the internal laws of the State of Illinois applicable to
contracts made and to be performed wholly within such state, without regard to
choice or conflicts of law principles.

                                              CENTENE CORPORATION, AS BORROWER

                                              By: /s/ KAREY L. WITTY
                                              Name: Karey L. Witty
                                              Title: Senior Vice President and
                                                     Chief Financial Officer

                                       2

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