Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.8

                            INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

         This INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered
into effective as of this ___ day of __________, 2000, by and between Odyssey
HealthCare, Inc., a Delaware corporation (including any successors thereto, the
"Company"), and ________________________ ("Indemnitee").

                                    RECITALS:

         A. Competent and experienced persons are reluctant to serve or to
continue to serve corporations as directors, officers, or in other capacities
unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or
indemnification (or both) against claims and actions against them arising out of
their service to and activities on behalf of those corporations.

         B. The current uncertainties relating to the availability of adequate
insurance for directors and officers have increased the difficulty for
corporations to attract and retain competent and experienced persons.

         C. The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") has determined
that the continuation of present trends in litigation will make it more
difficult to attract and retain competent and experienced persons, that this
situation is detrimental to the best interests of the Company's stockholders,
and that the Company should act to assure its directors and officers that there
will be increased certainty of adequate protection in the future.

         D. It is reasonable, prudent, and necessary for the Company to obligate
itself contractually to indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest
extent permitted by applicable law in order to induce them to serve or continue
to serve the Company.

         E. Indemnitee is willing to serve and continue to serve the Company on
the condition that he be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by law.

         F. Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Indemnitee is
agreeing to serve or to continue to serve as a director or officer of the
Company.

                                   AGREEMENTS:

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises,
Indemnitee's agreement to serve or continue to serve as a director or officer of
the Company, and the covenants contained in this Agreement, the Company and
Indemnitee hereby covenant and agree as follows:

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1.       Certain Definitions.  For purposes of this Agreement:

         a.       Affiliate: shall mean any Person that directly, or indirectly,
                  through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled
                  by, or is under common control with the Person specified.

         b.       Change of Control: shall mean the occurrence of any of the
                  following events:

                  i.       The acquisition after the date of this Agreement by
                           any individual, entity, or group (within the meaning
                           of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities
                           Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
                           Act")) (a "Person") of beneficial ownership (within
                           the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the
                           Exchange Act) of 20% or more of either (x) the then
                           outstanding shares of common stock of the Company
                           (the "Outstanding Company Common Stock") or (y) the
                           combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
                           securities of the Company entitled to vote generally
                           in the election of directors (the "Outstanding
                           Company Voting Securities"); provided, however, that
                           for purposes of this paragraph (i), the following
                           acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of
                           Control: any acquisition directly from the Company or
                           any Subsidiary thereof; any acquisition by the
                           Company or any Subsidiary thereof; any acquisition by
                           any employee benefit plan (or related trust)
                           sponsored or maintained by the Company or any
                           Subsidiary of the Company; or any acquisition by any
                           entity or its security holders pursuant to a
                           transaction which complies with clauses (A), (B), and
                           (C) of paragraph (iii) below;

                  ii.      Individuals who, as of the date of this Agreement,
                           constitute the Board (the "Incumbent Board") cease
                           for any reason to constitute at least a majority of
                           the Board; provided, however, that any individual
                           becoming a director subsequent to the date of this
                           Agreement whose election or appointment by the Board
                           or nomination for election by the Company's
                           stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a
                           majority of the directors then comprising the
                           Incumbent Board, shall in either case be considered
                           as though such individual were a member of the
                           Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any
                           such individual whose initial assumption of office
                           occurs as a result of an actual or threatened
                           election contest with respect to the election or
                           removal of directors or other actual or threatened
                           solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf
                           of a Person other than the Board;

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                  iii.     Consummation of a reorganization, merger or
                           consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or
                           substantially all of the assets of the Company or an
                           acquisition of assets of another corporation (a
                           "Business Combination"), unless in each case,
                           following such Business Combination, (A) all or
                           substantially all of the individuals and entities who
                           were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the
                           Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding
                           Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such
                           Business Combination beneficially own, directly or
                           indirectly, more than 50% of, respectively, the then
                           outstanding shares of common stock and the combined
                           voting power of the then outstanding voting
                           securities entitled to vote generally in the election
                           of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation
                           resulting from such Business Combination (including,
                           without limitation, a corporation which as a result
                           of such transaction owns the Company or all or
                           substantially all of the Company's assets either
                           directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in
                           substantially the same proportions as their
                           ownership, immediately prior to such Business
                           Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock
                           and Outstanding Corporation Voting Securities, as the
                           case may be, (B) no Person (excluding any employee
                           benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or the
                           corporation resulting from such Business Combination)
                           beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20% or
                           more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of
                           common stock of the corporation resulting from such
                           Business Combination or the combined voting power of
                           the then outstanding voting securities of such
                           corporation except to the extent that such ownership
                           of the Company existed prior to the Business
                           Combination and (C) at least a majority of the
                           members of the board of directors of the corporation
                           resulting from such Business Combination were members
                           of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution
                           of the initial agreement, or of the action of the
                           Board, providing for such Business Combination; or

                  iv.      Approval by the stockholders of the Company of a
                           complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

         c.       Claim: shall mean any threatened, pending, or completed
                  action, suit, or proceeding (including, without limitation,
                  securities laws actions, suits, and proceedings and also any
                  cross claim or counterclaim in any action, suit, or
                  proceeding), whether civil, criminal, arbitral,
                  administrative, or investigative in nature, or any inquiry or
                  investigation (including discovery), whether conducted by the
                  Company or any other Person, that Indemnitee in good faith
                  believes might lead to the institution of any action, suit, or
                  proceeding.

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         d.       Expenses: shall mean all costs, expenses (including attorneys'
                  and expert witnesses' fees), and obligations paid or incurred
                  in connection with investigating, defending (including
                  affirmative defenses and counterclaims), being a witness in,
                  or participating in (including on appeal), or preparing to
                  defend, be a witness in, or participate in, any Claim relating
                  to any Indemnifiable Event.

         e.       Indemnifiable Event: shall mean any actual or alleged act,
                  omission, statement, misstatement, event, or occurrence
                  related to the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director,
                  officer, agent, or fiduciary of the Company, or is or was
                  serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer,
                  trustee, agent, or fiduciary of another corporation,
                  partnership, joint venture, employee benefit plan, trust, or
                  other enterprise, or by reason of any actual or alleged thing
                  done or not done by Indemnitee in any such capacity. For
                  purposes of this Agreement, the Company agrees that
                  Indemnitee's service on behalf of or with respect to any
                  Subsidiary or employee benefits plan of the Company or any
                  Subsidiary of the Company shall be deemed to be at the request
                  of the Company.

         f.       Indemnifiable Liabilities: shall mean all Expenses and all
                  other liabilities, damages (including, without limitation,
                  punitive, exemplary, and the multiplied portion of any
                  damages), judgments, payments, fines, penalties, amounts paid
                  in settlement, and awards paid or incurred that arise out of,
                  or in any way relate to, any Indemnifiable Event.

         g.       Potential Change of Control: shall be deemed to have occurred
                  if (i) the Company enters into an agreement, the consummation
                  of which would result in the occurrence of a Change of
                  Control, (ii) any Person (including the Company) publicly
                  announces an intention to take or to consider taking actions
                  that, if consummated, would constitute a Change of Control, or
                  (iii) the Board adopts a resolution to the effect that, for
                  purposes of this Agreement, a Potential Change of Control has
                  occurred.

         h.       Reviewing Party: shall mean a member or members of the Board
                  who are not parties to the particular Claim for which
                  Indemnitee is seeking indemnification or if a Change of
                  Control has occurred or if there is a Potential Change of
                  Control and Indemnitee so requests, or if the members of the
                  Board so elect, or if all of the members of the Board are
                  parties to such Claim, Special Counsel.

         i.       Special Counsel: shall mean special, independent legal counsel
                  selected by Indemnitee and approved by the Company (which
                  approval shall not be unreasonably withheld), and who has not
                  otherwise performed material services for the Company or for
                  Indemnitee within the last three years (other than as Special
                  Counsel under this Agreement or similar agreements).

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         j.       Subsidiary: shall mean, with respect to any Person, any
                  corporation or other entity of which a majority of the voting
                  power of the voting equity securities or equity interest is
                  owned, directly or indirectly, by that Person.

2.       Indemnification and Expense Advancement.

         a.       The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee and hold Indemnitee
                  harmless to the fullest extent permitted by law, as soon as
                  practicable but in any event no later than 30 days after
                  written demand is presented to the Company, from and against
                  any and all Indemnifiable Liabilities. Notwithstanding the
                  foregoing, the obligations of the Company under Section 2(a)
                  shall be subject to the condition that the Reviewing Party
                  shall not have determined (in a written opinion, in any case
                  in which Special Counsel is involved) that Indemnitee is not
                  permitted to be indemnified under applicable law. Nothing
                  contained in this Agreement shall require any determination
                  under this Section 2(a) to be made by the Reviewing Party
                  prior to the disposition or conclusion of the Claim against
                  the Indemnitee.

         b.       If so requested by Indemnitee, the Company shall advance to
                  Indemnitee all reasonable Expenses incurred by Indemnitee to
                  the fullest extent permitted by law (or, if applicable,
                  reimburse Indemnitee for any and all reasonable Expenses
                  incurred by Indemnitee and previously paid by Indemnitee)
                  within ten business days after such request (an "Expense
                  Advance") and delivery by Indemnitee of an undertaking to
                  repay Expense Advances if and to the extent such undertaking
                  is required by applicable law prior to the Company's payment
                  of Expense Advances. The Company shall be obligated from time
                  to time at the request of Indemnitee to make or pay an Expense
                  Advance in advance of the final disposition or conclusion of
                  any Claim. In connection with any request for an Expense
                  Advance, if requested by the Company, Indemnitee or
                  Indemnitee's counsel shall submit an affidavit stating that
                  the Expenses to which the Expense Advances relate are
                  reasonable. Any dispute as to the reasonableness of any
                  Expense shall not delay an Expense Advance by the Company. If,
                  when, and to the extent that the Reviewing Party determines
                  that Indemnitee would not be permitted to be indemnified with
                  respect to a Claim under applicable law or the amount of the
                  Expense Advance was not reasonable, the Company shall be
                  entitled to be reimbursed by Indemnitee and Indemnitee hereby
                  agrees to reimburse the Company without interest (which
                  agreement shall be an unsecured obligation of Indemnitee) for
                  (x) all related Expense Advances theretofore made or paid by
                  the Company in the event that it is determined that
                  indemnification would not be permitted or (y) the excessive
                  portion of any Expense Advances in the event that it is
                  determined that such Expenses Advances were unreasonable, in
                  either case, if and to the extent such reimbursement is
                  required by applicable law; provided, however, that if
                  Indemnitee has commenced legal proceedings in a court of
                  competent jurisdiction to secure a determination that
                  Indemnitee could be

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                  indemnified under applicable law, or that the Expense Advances
                  were reasonable, any determination made by the Reviewing Party
                  that Indemnitee would not be permitted to be indemnified under
                  applicable law or that the Expense Advances were unreasonable
                  shall not be binding, and the Company shall be obligated to
                  continue to make Expense Advances, until a final judicial
                  determination is made with respect thereto (as to which all
                  rights of appeal therefrom have been exhausted or lapsed),
                  which determination shall be conclusive and binding. If there
                  has been a Potential Change of Control or a Change of Control,
                  the Reviewing Party shall be advised by or shall be Special
                  Counsel, if Indemnitee so requests. If there has been no
                  determination by the Reviewing Party or if the Reviewing Party
                  determines that Indemnitee substantively is not permitted to
                  be indemnified in whole or part under applicable law or that
                  any Expense Advances were unreasonable, Indemnitee shall have
                  the right to commence litigation in any court in the states of
                  Texas or Delaware having subject matter jurisdiction thereof
                  and in which venue is proper seeking an initial determination
                  by the court or challenging any such determination by the
                  Reviewing Party or any aspect thereof, and the Company hereby
                  consents to service of process and to appear in any such
                  proceeding. Any determination by the Reviewing Party otherwise
                  shall be conclusive and binding on the Company and Indemnitee.

         c.       Nothing in this Agreement, however, shall require the Company
                  to indemnify Indemnitee with respect to any Claim initiated by
                  Indemnitee, other than a Claim solely seeking enforcement of
                  the Company's indemnification obligations to Indemnitee or a
                  Claim authorized by the Board.

3.       Change of Control. The Company agrees that, if there is a Potential
Change in Control or a Change of Control and if Indemnitee requests in writing
that Special Counsel be the Reviewing Party, then Special Counsel shall be the
Reviewing Party. In such a case, the Company agrees not to request or seek
reimbursement from Indemnitee of any indemnification payment or Expense Advances
unless Special Counsel has rendered its written opinion to the Company and
Indemnitee (i) that the Company was not or is not permitted under applicable law
to pay Indemnitee and to allow Indemnitee to retain such indemnification payment
or Expense Advances or (ii) that such Expense Advances were unreasonable.
However, if Indemnitee has commenced legal proceedings in a court of competent
jurisdiction to secure a determination that Indemnitee could be indemnified
under applicable law or that the Expense Advances were reasonable, any
determination made by Special Counsel that Indemnitee would not be permitted to
be indemnified under applicable law or that the Expense Advances were
unreasonable shall not be binding, and Indemnitee shall not be required to
reimburse the Company for any Expense Advance, and the Company shall be
obligated to continue to make Expense Advances, until a final judicial
determination is made with respect thereto (as to which all rights of appeal
therefore have been exhausted or lapsed), which determination shall be
conclusive and binding. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees of Special
Counsel and to indemnify Special Counsel against any and all expenses (including
attorneys' fees), claims,

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liabilities, and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or Special
Counsel's engagement pursuant hereto.

4.       Establishment of Trust. In the event of a Potential Change of Control
or a Change of Control, the Company shall, upon written request by Indemnitee,
create a trust for the benefit of Indemnitee (the "Trust") and from time to time
upon written request of Indemnitee shall fund the Trust in an amount equal to
all Indemnifiable Liabilities reasonably anticipated at the time to be incurred
in connection with any Claim. The amount to be deposited in the Trust pursuant
to the foregoing funding obligation shall be determined by the Reviewing Party.
The terms of the Trust shall provide that, upon a Change of Control, the Trust
shall not be revoked or the principal thereof invaded, without the written
consent of Indemnitee, the trustee of the Trust shall advance, within ten
business days of a request by Indemnitee, any and all reasonable Expenses to
Indemnitee (and Indemnitee hereby agrees to reimburse the Trust under the
circumstances in which Indemnitee would be required to reimburse the Company for
Expense Advances under this Agreement), any required determination concerning
the reasonableness of the Expenses to be made by the Reviewing Party, the Trust
shall continue to be funded by the Company in accordance with the funding
obligation set forth above, the trustee of the Trust shall promptly pay to
Indemnitee all amounts for which Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification
pursuant to this Agreement, and all unexpended funds in the Trust shall revert
to the Company upon a final determination by the Reviewing Party or a court of
competent jurisdiction, as the case may be, that Indemnitee has been fully
indemnified under the terms of this Agreement. The trustee of the Trust shall be
chosen by Indemnitee, and shall be an institution that is not affiliated with
Indemnitee. Nothing in this Section 4 shall relieve the Company of any of its
obligations under this Agreement.

5.       Indemnification for Additional Expenses. The Company shall indemnify
Indemnitee against any and all costs and expenses (including attorneys' and
expert witnesses' fees) and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall (within two
business days of that request) advance those costs and expenses to Indemnitee,
that are incurred by Indemnitee if Indemnitee, whether by formal proceedings or
through demand and negotiation without formal proceedings: (a) seeks to enforce
Indemnitee's rights under this Agreement; (b) seeks to enforce Indemnitee's
rights to expense advancement or indemnification under any other agreement or
provision of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the
"Certificate of Incorporation"), or Bylaws (the "Bylaws") now or hereafter in
effect relating to Claims for Indemnifiable Events; or (c) seeks recovery under
any directors' and officers' liability insurance policies maintained by the
Company, in each case regardless of whether Indemnitee ultimately prevails;
provided that a court of competent jurisdiction has not found Indemnitee's claim
for indemnification or expense advancements under the foregoing clause (a), (b)
or (c) to be frivolous, presented for an improper purpose, without evidentiary
support, or otherwise sanctionable under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure No. 11
or an analogous rule or law, and provided further, that if a court makes such a
finding, Indemnitee shall reimburse the Company for all amounts previously
advanced to Indemnitee pursuant to this Section 5. Subject to the provisos
contained in the preceding sentence, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the
Company waives any and all rights that it may have to recover its costs and
expenses from Indemnitee.

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6.       Partial Indemnity. If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of
this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some, but not all, of
Indemnitee's Indemnifiable Liabilities, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee
for the portion thereof to which Indemnitee is entitled.

7.       Contribution.

         a.       Contribution Payment. To the extent the indemnification
                  provided for under any provision of this Agreement is
                  determined (in the manner hereinabove provided) not to be
                  permitted under applicable law, the Company, in lieu of
                  indemnifying Indemnitee, shall, to the extent permitted by
                  law, contribute to the amount of any and all Indemnifiable
                  Liabilities incurred or paid by Indemnitee for which such
                  indemnification is not permitted. The amount the Company
                  contributes shall be in such proportion as is appropriate to
                  reflect the relative fault of Indemnitee, on the one hand, and
                  of the Company and any and all other parties (including
                  officers and directors of the Company other than Indemnitee)
                  who may be at fault (collectively, including the Company, the
                  "Third Parties"), on the other hand.

         b.       Relative Fault. The relative fault of the Third Parties and
                  the Indemnitee shall be determined by reference to the
                  relative fault of Indemnitee as determined by the court or
                  other governmental agency or to the extent such court or other
                  governmental agency does not apportion relative fault, by the
                  Reviewing Party (which shall include Special Counsel) after
                  giving effect to, among other things, the relative intent,
                  knowledge, access to information, and opportunity to prevent
                  or correct the relevant events, of each party, and other
                  relevant equitable considerations. The Company and Indemnitee
                  agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution
                  were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method
                  of allocation that does take account of the equitable
                  considerations referred to in this Section 7(b).

8.       Burden of Proof. In connection with any determination by the Reviewing
Party or otherwise as to whether Indemnitee is entitled to be indemnified under
any provision of this Agreement or to receive contribution pursuant to Section 7
of this Agreement, to the extent permitted by law the burden of proof shall be
on the Company to establish that Indemnitee is not so entitled.

9.       No Presumption. For purposes of this Agreement, the termination of any
Claim by judgment, order, settlement (whether with or without court approval),
or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or its equivalent, or an entry
of an order of probation prior to judgment shall not create a presumption (other
than any presumption arising as a matter of law that the parties may not
contractually agree to disregard) that Indemnitee did not meet any particular
standard of conduct or have any particular belief or that a court has determined
that indemnification is not permitted by applicable law.

<PAGE>   9

10.      Non-exclusivity. The rights of Indemnitee hereunder shall be in
addition to any other rights Indemnitee may have under the Bylaws or Certificate
of Incorporation or the Delaware General Corporation Law or otherwise. To the
extent that a change in the Delaware General Corporation Law (whether by statute
or judicial decision) permits greater indemnification by agreement than would be
afforded currently under the Bylaws or Certificate of Incorporation and this
Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by
this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by that change. Indemnitee's
rights under this Agreement shall not be diminished by any amendment to the
Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, or of any other agreement or instrument
to which Indemnitee is not a party, and shall not diminish any other rights that
Indemnitee now or in the future has against the Company.

11.      Liability Insurance. Except as otherwise agreed to by the Company and
Indemnitee in a written agreement, to the extent the Company maintains an
insurance policy or policies providing directors' and officers' liability
insurance, Indemnitee shall be covered by that policy or those policies, in
accordance with its or their terms, to the maximum extent of the coverage
available for any Company director or officer.

12.      Period of Limitations. No action, lawsuit, or proceeding may be brought
against Indemnitee or Indemnitee's spouse, heirs, executors, or personal or
legal representatives, nor may any cause of action be asserted in any such
action, lawsuit, or proceeding, by or on behalf of the Company, after the
expiration of two years after the statute of limitations commences with respect
to Indemnitee's act or omission that gave rise to the action, lawsuit,
proceeding, or cause of action; provided, however, that, if any shorter period
of limitations is otherwise applicable to any such action, lawsuit, proceeding,
or cause of action, the shorter period shall govern.

13.      Amendments. No supplement, modification, or amendment of this Agreement
shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto. No
waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless in a writing
signed by the party granting the waiver. No waiver of any of the provisions of
this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other
provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall that waiver constitute a
continuing waiver.

14.      Other Sources. Indemnitee shall not be required to exercise any rights
that Indemnitee may have against any other Person (for example, under an
insurance policy) before Indemnitee enforces his rights under this Agreement.
However, to the extent the Company actually indemnifies Indemnitee or advances
him Expenses, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of Indemnitee and
shall be entitled to enforce any such rights which Indemnitee may have against
third parties. Indemnitee shall assist the Company in enforcing those rights if
it pays his costs and expenses of doing so. If Indemnitee is actually
indemnified or advanced Expenses by any third party, then, for so long as
Indemnitee is not required to disgorge the amounts so received, to that extent
the Company shall be relieved of its obligation to indemnify Indemnitee or
advance Indemnitee Expenses.

<PAGE>   10

15.      Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective
successors, assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by merger or
consolidation), spouses, heirs, and personal and legal representatives. This
Agreement shall continue in effect regardless of whether Indemnitee continues to
serve as an officer or director of the Company or another enterprise at the
Company's request.

16.      Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal,
invalid, or unenforceable under present or future laws effective during the term
hereof, that provision shall be fully severable; this Agreement shall be
construed and enforced as if that illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision
had never comprised a part hereof; and the remaining provisions shall remain in
full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid, or
unenforceable provision or by its severance from this Agreement. Furthermore, in
lieu of that illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision, there shall be added
automatically as a part of this Agreement a provision as similar in terms to the
illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be legal,
valid, and enforceable.

17.      Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and
enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to
contracts made and to be performed in that state without giving effect to the
principles of conflicts of laws.

18.      Headings. The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference
purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of
this Agreement.

19.      Notices. Whenever this Agreement requires or permits notice to be given
by one party to the other, such notice must be in writing to be effective and
shall be deemed delivered and received by the party to whom it is sent upon
actual receipt (by any means) of such notice. Receipt of a notice by the
Secretary of the Company shall be deemed receipt of such notice by the Company.

20.      Complete Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the complete
understanding and agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter
hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, other than any
indemnification rights that Indemnitee may enjoy under the Certificate of
Incorporation, the Bylaws, or the Delaware General Corporation Law.

21.      Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but in making proof
hereof it shall not be necessary to produce or account for more than one such
counterpart.

                  [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

<PAGE>   11

         EXECUTED as of the date first written above.

                                                     ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE, INC.

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

                                                     INDEMNITEE:

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

<PAGE>   12

                               LIST OF INDEMNITEES

Richard R. Burnham

David C. Gasmire

Douglas B. Cannon

Brenda A. Belger

Patricia G. Gross

Kathleen A. Ventre

David W. Cross

Alexander McGrath

Martin S. Rash

David L. Steffy

Mark A. Wan<PAGE>   1
                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.9.1

================================================================================

                          SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTE AND
                           WARRANT PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                      among

                            ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE, INC.,

                        HNT HOSPICE OF NORTH TEXAS, INC.,
                     ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF BIRMINGHAM, INC.,
                  ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF CENTRAL INDIANA, INC.,
                      ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF DETROIT, INC.,
                      ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF PHOENIX, INC.,
                     ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF MILWAUKEE, INC.,
                   ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF CENTRAL TEXAS, INC.,
                    ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF MINNEAPOLIS, INC.,
                    ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF NEW ORLEANS, INC.,
                     ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF LAS VEGAS, INC.,
                   ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF PENNSYLVANIA, INC.,
                    ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF NORTH TEXAS, INC.,
                      ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF HOUSTON, INC.,
                     ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF NEW JERSEY, INC.,
                      ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF GEORGIA, INC.,
                                       AND
                ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, INC.,

                       CAPITAL RESOURCE LENDERS III, L.P.

                                       and

                       CRP INVESTMENT PARTNERS III, L.L.C.

                            Dated as of July 1, 1998

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                            ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE, INC.,
                        HNT HOSPICE OF NORTH TEXAS, INC.,
                     ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF BIRMINGHAM, INC.,
                  ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF CENTRAL INDIANA, INC.,
                      ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF DETROIT, INC.,
                      ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF PHOENIX, INC.,
                     ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF MILWAUKEE, INC.,
                   ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF CENTRAL TEXAS, INC.,
                    ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF MINNEAPOLIS, INC.,
                    ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF NEW ORLEANS, INC.,
                     ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF LAS VEGAS, INC.,
                   ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF PENNSYLVANIA, INC.,
                    ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF NORTH TEXAS, INC.,
                      ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF HOUSTON, INC.,
                     ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF NEW JERSEY, INC.,
                      ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF GEORGIA, INC.,
                                       AND
                ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, INC.,

                          717 North Harwood, Suite 2580
                               Dallas, Texas 75201

                            Dated as of July 1, 1998

Capital Resource Lenders III, L.P.
85 Merrimac Street, Suite 200
Boston, Massachusetts  02114

CRP Investment Partners III, L.L.C.
85 Merrimac Street, Suite 200
Boston, Massachusetts  02114

         Re:      Senior Subordinated Notes due 2005 and
                  Common Stock Purchase Warrants

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         Odyssey HealthCare, Inc., a Delaware corporation, NHT Hospice of North
Texas, Inc., a Texas corporation, Odyssey HealthCare of Birmingham, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, Odyssey HealthCare of Central Indiana, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, Odyssey HealthCare of Detroit, Inc., a Delaware corporation,
Odyssey HealthCare of Phoenix, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Odyssey HealthCare
of Milwaukee, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Odyssey HealthCare of

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Central Texas, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Odyssey HealthCare of Minneapolis,
Inc., a Delaware corporation, Odyssey HealthCare of New Orleans, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, Odyssey HealthCare of Las Vegas, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, Odyssey HealthCare of Pennsylvania, Inc., a Delaware corporation,
Odyssey HealthCare of North Texas, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Odyssey
HealthCare of Houston, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Odyssey HealthCare of New
Jersey, Inc., a Delaware Corporation, Odyssey HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, and Odyssey HealthCare of Northern California, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (collectively, the "Borrowers" all of which Borrowers are
listed on Exhibit A attached hereto), hereby jointly and severally agree with
Capital Resource Lenders III, LP., a Delaware limited partnership, and CRP
Investment Partners III, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, as
follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS

         1.01. Definitions. As used herein, the following terms shall have the
following meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to both the singular
and plural forms of the terms defined):

         "Adjusted EBITDA" means, for any period, the consolidated Net Income of
the Borrowers and the Subsidiaries for such period after all expenses (including
all compensation expenses for the Company's Regional Vice Presidents) except
corporate overhead expenses, depreciation, interest, amortization and income
taxes, determined in accordance with GAAP.

         "Affiliate" means, as to any specified Person, any other Person
controlling, controlled by or under common control with such specified Person.

         "Agreement" means this Senior Subordinated Note and Warrant Purchase
Agreement as from time to time amended and in effect between the parties.

         "Applicable Laws" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 6.05.

         "Borrowers" shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble to this
Agreement.

         "Budget" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section
7.03(d).

         "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or public
holiday or the equivalent for banks under the laws of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.

         "Capital Expenditure" means, for any period, any payment made directly
or indirectly for the purpose of acquiring or constructing fixed assets, real
property or equipment which in accordance with GAAP would be added as a debit to
the fixed asset account of the Person making such expenditure, including without
limitation, amounts paid or payable under any conditional sale or other title
retention agreement or under any lease or other periodic payment arrangement
which is of such a nature that payment obligations of the lessee or obligor
thereunder would be required by GAAP to be capitalized and shown as liabilities
on the balance sheet of such lessee or obligor.

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                                       3

         "Capital Lease" means any lease of property (real, personal or mixed)
which, in accordance with GAAP, should be capitalized on the lessee's balance
sheet or for which the amount of the asset and liability thereunder as if so
capitalized should be disclosed in a note to such balance sheet.

         "Change in Control" means any transaction or any event as a result of
which (i) any one or more Persons (other than the Purchasers or a stockholder of
the Company on the Initial Closing Date) acquires or for the first time controls
or is able to vote (directly or through nominees or beneficial ownership) after
the Initial Closing Date (other than as the direct result of a transfer by
descent or distribution of a decedent's estate) fifty percent (50%) or more of
any class of stock of the Company outstanding at the time having power
ordinarily to vote for directors of the Company; or (ii) any two of Richard R.
Burnham, David C. Gasmire and Bradley J. Velie are no longer full-time executive
officers of the Company and have not been replaced to the satisfaction of the
Purchasers, in their sole discretion, within 150 days thereof; or (iii) Richard
R. Burnham, David C. Gasmire and Bradley J. Velie no longer collectively own at
least seventy-five percent (75%) of the equity securities of the Company which
such individuals owned immediately following the Initial Closing (excluding from
both the numerator and denominator in determining the percentage under this
clause (iii) any equity securities repurchased from Messrs. Burnham and Gasmire
pursuant to the Stock Repurchase Agreements); or (iv) Three Arch Partners, L.P.,
Three Arch Associates, L.P., Weiss, Peck & Greer Venture Associates III, L.P.,
WPG Enterprise Fund II, L.P., Oak Investment Associates VI, Limited Partnership,
Oak VI Affiliates Fund, Limited Partnership, Collins Howe Venture Partners,
Inc., Highland Capital Partners III Limited Partnership, Highland Entrepreneurs'
Fund III Limited Partnership and Life Science Entrepreneur Fund and their
respective Affiliates, no longer collectively own at least seventy-five percent
(75%) of the equity securities of the Company which such entities owned
immediately following the Initial Closing.

         "Code" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.03.

         "Commission" means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission
(or any other federal agency at that time administering the Securities Act).

         "Common Stock" includes (a) the Company's common stock, par value
$0.001 per share, as authorized on the date of this Agreement, and (b) any other
capital stock of any class or classes (however designated) of the Company,
authorized on or after the date hereof, the holders of which shall have the
right, without limitation as to amount per share, either to all or to a share of
the balance of current dividends and liquidating distributions after the payment
of dividends and distributions on any shares entitled to preference in the
payment thereof, and the holders of which shall ordinarily, in the absence of
contingencies, be entitled to vote for the election of a majority of directors
of the Company (even though the right so to vote may have been suspended by the
happening of such a contingency), and (c) any other securities into which or for
which any of the securities described in (a) or (b) above may be converted or
exchanged pursuant to a plan of recapitalization, reorganization, merger, sale
of assets or otherwise.

         "Company" means and shall include Odyssey HealthCare Inc., a Delaware
corporation, and its successors and assigns.

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                                       4

         "Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period, the net income (or net
deficit) of the Borrowers and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for such
period, after all expenses, taxes and other proper charges, determined in
accordance with GAAP eliminating (i) all intercompany items, (ii) all earnings
attributable to equity interests in Persons that are not Subsidiaries unless
actually received by the Borrowers or the Subsidiaries, (iii) all income arising
from the forgiveness, adjustment or negotiated settlement of any Indebtedness,
(iv) any extraordinary items of income or expense and (v) any increase or
decrease of income arising from any change in the method of accounting for any
item from that employed in the preparation of the Financial Statements.

         "CRL III" means Capital Resource Lenders III, L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership, and its successors and assigns.

         "CRP Investment" means CRP Investment Partners III, L.L.C., a Delaware
limited liability company, and its successors and assigns.

         "Distribution" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section
7.02(g).

         "EBITDA" means, for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of the
Borrowers and the subsidiaries for such period after all expenses except
depreciation, interest, amortization and income taxes, determined in accordance
with GAAP.

         "ERISA" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 6.10.

         "Events of Default" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 8.01.

         "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
or any similar federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time.

         "Financial Statements" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 6.08.

         "First Resale Period" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 3.03.

         "Fixed Charges" means, for any period, the aggregate of (i) scheduled
payments of principal with respect to Indebtedness for Money Borrowed during
such period, plus (ii) Interest Expense for such period, plus (iii) Maintenance
Capital Expenditures for such period, plus (iv) state and federal income taxes
for the period being tested determined in accordance with GAAP during such
period.

         "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles recognized as
such by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Unless otherwise
specifically stated herein, use of the term "GAAP" means that such principles
are applied and maintained on a consistent basis for the Borrowers and the
Subsidiaries throughout the period indicated and consistent with the prior
financial practices of the Borrowers and the Subsidiaries as reflected on the
Financial Statements so as to properly reflect the financial condition, and the
results of operations and cash flows of the Borrowers and the Subsidiaries.

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                                       5

         "HCFP" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 4.09.

         "Hazardous Discharge" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 6.27.

         "Hazardous Substances" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 6.27.

         "Healthcare Laws" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 6.29.

         "Indebtedness" means all obligations, contingent and otherwise, which
should, in accordance with GAAP, be classified upon the obligor's balance sheet
as liabilities, but in any event including, without limitation, liabilities
secured by any mortgage on property owned or acquired subject to such mortgage,
whether or not the liability secured thereby shall have been assumed, and also
including, without limitation, (i) all guaranties, endorsements and other
contingent obligations in respect of Indebtedness of others, whether or not the
same are or should be so reflected in said balance sheet, except guaranties by
endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection or similar
transactions in the ordinary course of business, and (ii) the present value of
any Capital Leases.

         "Indebtedness for Money Borrowed" of a Person means at any time the sum
at such time of (a) Indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money or for the
deferred purchase price of property or services, (b) any obligations of such
Person in respect of letters of credit, banker's or other acceptances or similar
obligations issued or created for the account of such Person, (c) obligations of
such Person with respect to Capital Leases, (d) all liabilities secured by any
Lien on any property owned by such person, to the extent attached to such
Person's interest in such property, even though such Person has not assumed or
become personally liable for the payment thereof, (e) obligations of third
parties which are being guaranteed or indemnified against by such Person or
which are secured by the property of such Person, and (f) any obligation of such
Person under an employee stock ownership plan or other similar employee benefit
plan; but excluding trade and other accounts payable in the ordinary course of
business in accordance with customary trade terms and which are not overdue (as
determined in accordance with past practices) or which are being disputed in
good faith by such Person and for which adequate reserves are being provided on
the books of such Person in accordance with GAAP.

         "Indemnified Party" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 9.08.

         "Initial Closing" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 2.02(a).

         "Initial Closing Date" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 2.02(a).

         "Interest Expense" means, for any period, the aggregate interest
expense of the Borrowers and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis
(including, without limitation, interest expense attributable to Capital Leases)
determined in accordance with GAAP for such period.

         "Liquidity IPO" means a firm commitment underwritten public offering of
shares of the Company's Common Stock in which the aggregate proceeds to the
Company and/or any stockholders participating in the offering, if any, are at
least $20 million.

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                                       6

         "Maintenance Capital Expenditures" shall mean Capital Expenditures, but
excluding Capital Expenditures not made in the ordinary course of business and
not financed through the operations of the Borrowers and the Subsidiaries and
excluding Capital Expenditures financed with Indebtedness of the Borrowers and
the Subsidiaries.

         "Material Adverse Effect" shall have the meaning assigned to that term
in Section 6.01.

         "Mezzanine Securities" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 3.08(a).

         "Net Worth" means the total of all assets appearing on the consolidated
balance sheet of the Borrowers and the Subsidiaries, after reducing therefrom
all liabilities appearing on such balance sheet, determined in accordance with
GAAP; provided, however, for purposes of this calculation, liabilities shall not
include any liabilities associated with the right of any holders of any
outstanding shares of Preferred Stock to have such shares redeemed by the
Company pursuant to paragraph 7 of the Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation of the Company.

         "Noteholders" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section
3.08(a).

         "Notes" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.01.

         "Offer" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section
3.08(a).

         "Operative Documents" shall mean each of the Notes, the Warrants, the
Preferred Stock Subordination Agreement, the Stockholders' Agreement and the
Registration Rights Agreement.

         "Outstanding Common Stock" shall have the meaning assigned to that term
in Section 3.06.

         "Permitted Liens" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 7.02(a).

         "Person" means and includes an individual, a corporation, a
partnership, a joint venture, a trust, an unincorporated organization, a limited
liability company or partnership, or a government or any agency or political
subdivision thereof.

         "Preferred Stock" means the Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per
share, of the Company as authorized on the date of this Agreement.

         "Preferred Warrants" shall mean the warrants for the purchase (subject
to adjustment as provided therein) of an aggregate of 119,993 shares of Series B
Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share, of the Company issued
pursuant to that certain Promissory Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement dated as
of May 22, 1998.

         "Proposal" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section
3.08(a).

         "Purchasers" means and shall include CRL III and CRP Investment and any
other holder or holders from time to time of any of the Securities.

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                                       7

         "Put Closing Date" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 3.04.

         "Put Notice" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section
3.04.

         "Qualified Disposition" means (i) any merger or consolidation with any
Person, (ii) any sale, assignment, lease or other disposition of or voluntary
parting with the control of (whether in one transaction or in a series of
transactions) all or substantially all of the consolidated assets (whether now
owned or hereafter acquired) of the Borrowers and the Subsidiaries and (iii) any
issuance of equity securities of the Company which, when aggregated with all
issuances of equity securities of the Company subsequent to the Initial Closing,
exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate of all outstanding equity
securities of the Company immediately after the Initial Closing on a fully
diluted basis, except for (1) mergers, consolidations or asset transfers with or
between two or more Subsidiaries, (2) mergers or asset transfers by any
Subsidiary with or to the Company and (3) the merger of any Person into the
Company or other issuance of securities by the Company in connection with the
acquisition of a Person as long as the Company is the surviving entity, such
merger or acquisition does not result in the violation of any of the provisions
of this Agreement and no such violation exists at the time of such merger or
acquisition, and the consideration paid by the Company in connection with such
merger or acquisition has a fair market value of less than three million dollars
($3,000,000) at the date of the closing of such transaction.

         "Qualified IPO" means a firm commitment underwritten public offering of
shares of the Company's Common Stock pursuant to a registration statement filed
with the Commission under the Securities Act in which net proceeds to the
Company and/or any stockholders participating in the offering, if any, are at
least $20 million and in which the price per share of Common Stock equals or
exceeds $3.00 (as appropriately adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends and
the like).

         "Qualifying Liquidity Event" means each of (i) a Change in Control,
(ii) a Qualified Disposition and (iii) a Liquidity IPO.

         "Registration Rights Agreement" shall have the meaning assigned to that
term in Section 4.06.

         "Repurchase Price" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 3.06.

         "Revised Proposal" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 3.08(a).

         "Second Resale Period" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 3.03.

         "Securities" means collectively the Notes, the Warrants and the Warrant
Shares.

         "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any
similar federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time.

         "Senior Debt" means (i) all Indebtedness for Money Borrowed of the
Borrowers and the Subsidiaries from banks or institutional lenders, including
any extensions or renewals thereof, whether outstanding on the date hereof or
hereafter created or incurred, which is not by its terms

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                                       8

subordinate and junior to the Notes and which is disclosed on the Financial
Statements or is permitted by this Agreement at the time it is created or
incurred, (ii) all Indebtedness for Money Borrowed of the Borrowers and the
Subsidiaries incurred to refinance any of the Indebtedness for Money Borrowed
referred to in item (i) above, where the security securing such Indebtedness is
of a type which is substantially the same security as that securing the
Indebtedness for Money Borrowed being refinanced, (iii) all obligations of the
Borrowers and any of the Subsidiaries under Capital Leases which are permitted
by this Agreement at the time they are incurred, (iv) all guarantees by the
Borrowers and any of the Subsidiaries which are not by their terms subordinate
and junior to the Notes and which are permitted hereby at the time they are made
of Indebtedness of any Subsidiary if such Indebtedness would have been Senior
Debt pursuant to the provisions of clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of this sentence
had it been Indebtedness for Money Borrowed of a Borrower.

         "Stockholders' Agreement" shall have the meaning assigned to that term
in Section 4.07.

         "Subordinated Debt" means all Indebtedness for Money Borrowed of the
Borrowers and any of the Subsidiaries from any Person, including any extensions
or renewals thereof, whether outstanding on the date hereof or hereafter created
or incurred, which is by its terms subordinate and junior to Senior Debt on
terms acceptable to the holders of Senior Debt and which is permitted by this
Agreement at the time it is created or incurred, including, without limitation,
the Notes.

         "Subsidiary" or "Subsidiaries" means (i) any corporation more than
fifty percent (50%) of whose stock of any class or classes having by the terms
thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the directors of such
corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any class or
classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of
the happening of any contingency) is at the time owned directly or indirectly by
any Borrower (including, with respect to the Company, each of the other
Borrowers if the context so requires) and/or any one or more of the
Subsidiaries, and (ii) any partnership, association, joint venture or other
entity in which any Borrower and/or one or more of the Subsidiaries has more
than a fifty percent (50%) equity interest at the time.

         "Stock Repurchase Agreements" shall mean the Stock Repurchase
Agreements dated as of January 26, 1996 by and between the Company and each of
Richard R. Burnham and David C. Gasmire.

         "Takedown Closing" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 2.02(b).

         "Takedown Closing Date" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 2.02(b).

         "Tangible Net Worth" means for any period (i) Net Worth for such
period, plus (ii) Subordinated Debt for such period, less (iii) the intangible
assets (which intangible assets shall not include any goodwill created through
or arising from any acquisitions made by the Borrowers or the Subsidiaries) for
such period of the Borrowers and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis,
determined in accordance with GAAP.

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                                       9

         "Total Debt" means all Indebtedness for Money Borrowed of the Borrowers
and the Subsidiaries (other than in connection with Capital Leases) which bear
interest, including, without limitation, the Senior Debt and the Subordinated
Debt; provided, however, that the amount of Subordinated Debt to be included in
the calculation of Total Debt shall include the face amount of all Subordinated
Debt without any deduction for any original issue discount required by GAAP.

         "Warrant Shares" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 3.01.

         "Warrants" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section
3.01.

         1.02. Accounting Terms. All accounting terms not specifically defined
herein shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, and all financial data
submitted pursuant to this Agreement and all financial tests to be calculated in
accordance with this Agreement shall be prepared and calculated in accordance
with GAAP.

                                   ARTICLE II

                   PURCHASE, SALE AND TERMS OF NOTES; PAYMENTS

         2.01. The Notes. The Borrowers have authorized the issuance and sale to
the Purchasers of their 12.0% Senior Subordinated Notes, due 2005, in the
original principal amount of $12,000,000. The 12.0% Senior Subordinated Notes
shall be substantially in the form set forth as Exhibit 2.01 attached hereto and
are herein referred to individually as a "Note" and collectively as the "Notes,"
which terms shall also include any notes delivered in exchange or replacement
therefor. The Notes shall (a) be payable on March 31, 2005 and (b) bear interest
(based on a 360-day year counting actual days elapsed) on the unpaid principal
amount thereof until due and payable at the rate of twelve percent (12.0%) per
annum, which interest shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business
Day of March, June, September and December in each year, commencing September
30, 1998, and at maturity or prior prepayment of the Notes in full.

         2.02. Purchase and Sale of Notes. The Borrowers jointly and severally
agree to issue and sell to each Purchaser, and, subject to and in reliance upon
the representations, warranties, terms and conditions of this Agreement, each
Purchaser severally agrees to purchase, the Notes as follows:

                  (a) At the initial closing (the "Initial Closing") to be held
at the offices of Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP, High Street Tower, 125 High
Street, Boston, Massachusetts, at 10:00 a.m. local time, on the date on which
this Agreement is executed and delivered (the "Initial Closing Date"), the
Borrowers will issue and sell one Note to each Purchaser, dated the Initial
Closing Date and payable to the order of such Purchaser, in the principal amount
set forth opposite such Purchaser's name on Exhibit 2.02, and the Company will
issue to each Purchaser one Warrant (as provided in Section 3.02(a)), against
receipt of funds by wire transfer to an account or accounts designated by the
Company prior to the Initial Closing in the amount of $10,000,000, in payment of
the full purchase price for the Notes and the Warrants issued to the Purchasers
at the Initial Closing.

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                                       10

                  (b) The purchase and sale of up to an additional $2,000,000
aggregate principal amount of Notes shall take place at a closing (the "Takedown
Closing"), to be held at the offices of Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP, High
Street Tower, 125 High Street, Boston, Massachusetts, at 10:00 a.m. local time,
which shall take place after the Initial Closing and prior to December 31, 1999,
upon written notice (the "Takedown Notice") given by the Company to the
Purchasers at least twenty (20) calendar days prior to the date of the Takedown
Closing (the "Takedown Closing Date"). The Takedown Notice shall specify (i) the
Takedown Closing Date and (ii) the aggregate principal amount (the "Takedown
Principal") of the Notes to be issued and sold at the Takedown Closing, which
Takedown Principal shall not be greater than $2,000,000 in the aggregate. At the
Takedown Closing, the Borrowers will issue and sell to each Purchaser one Note,
dated the Takedown Closing Date and in the aggregate principal amount equal to
such Purchaser's Pro Rata Share (as such term is defined below) of the Takedown
Principal, and the Company will issue to each Purchaser one Warrant (as provided
in Section 3.02(b)), against receipt of funds by wire transfer to an account or
accounts designated by the Company prior to the Takedown Closing in the amount
of the Takedown Principal, in payment of the purchase price for the Notes and
Warrants issued to the Purchasers at the Takedown Closing. Except as otherwise
set forth herein, no amendment of this Agreement shall be required for the
Takedown Closing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Purchasers' obligation to
purchase any Notes from the Company at the Initial Closing and the Takedown
Closing shall be in each case subject to the satisfaction of all of the
conditions specified in Article IV of this Agreement. For purposes of this
Section 2.02(b), the term "Pro Rata Share" with respect to each Purchaser shall
mean the percentage set opposite such Purchaser's name under the heading "Pro
Rata Share of Notes" on Exhibit 2.02.

         2.03. Issue Price; Original Issue Discount. Having considered all facts
relevant to a determination of the value of the Notes and the Warrants being
acquired by the Purchasers, the Borrowers and the Purchasers have concluded and
do hereby agree that, for purposes of Section 1273 of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and the Regulations thereunder, and for
purposes of determining any original issue discount with respect to the Notes
thereunder, the "issue price" for that portion of the Notes purchased at the
Initial Closing is $9,108,896; and the "issue price" for the remaining portion
of the Notes shall be determined as of the Takedown Closing in accordance with
Section 1273 of the Code.

         2.04. Use of Proceeds. The Borrowers agree to use the full proceeds
from the sale of the Notes for acquisitions of hospice businesses and general
corporate purposes.

         2.05. Payment and Endorsements. Payments of principal, interest and
premium, if any, on the Notes shall be made without setoff or counterclaim
directly by check duly mailed or delivered to the purchasers at the address
referred to in Section 9.03 hereof without any presentment or notation of
payment, except that prior to any transfer of any Note, the holder thereof shall
endorse on such Note a record of the date to which interest has been paid and
all payments made on account of principal of such Note. All payments and
prepayments of principal of and interest on the Notes shall be applied (to the
extent thereof) to all of the Notes pro rata based on the principal amount
outstanding and held by each holder thereof.

<PAGE>   12
                                       11

         2.06. Redemptions.

                  (a) Required Periodic Redemptions. Beginning on and with the
last Business Day of June 2001, on the last Business Day of March, June,
September and December of each year through and including the last Business Day
of March 2005, the Borrowers jointly and severally agree to redeem, without
penalty or premium, principal amount of the Notes equal to 6.25% of the
aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding on the last Business Day of
June 2001, together with all accrued and unpaid interest then due on the amount
so redeemed. (By way of example and without limiting the foregoing, if
$12,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of Notes is outstanding on the last
Business Day of June 2001, $750,000 in aggregate principal amount of Notes shall
be redeemed on such date and on the last Business Day of each subsequent
quarter). On the stated or accelerated maturity of the Notes, the Borrowers
jointly and severally agree to pay the principal amount of the Notes then
outstanding together with all accrued and unpaid interest then due thereon.
Except as set forth in subsection 2.06(c), no optional redemption of less than
all of the Notes shall affect the obligation of the Borrowers to make the
redemptions required by this subsection.

                  (b) Required Liquidity Redemptions. In the event and upon the
closing of a Qualifying Liquidity Event, the Borrowers jointly and severally
agree to redeem, without premium, all of the outstanding Notes, together with
all accrued and unpaid interest then due thereon; provided, however, if the
Qualifying Liquidity Event is a Change in Control and the Purchasers have
consented to such Change in Control in writing, then no redemption of the Notes
pursuant to this Section 2.06(b) will be required by the Borrowers upon such
Change in Control.

                  (c) Optional Redemptions. In addition to the redemptions of
the Notes required under subsection 2.06(a) and (b), the Borrowers may, at any
time and from time to time, redeem, without premium, the Notes, in whole or in
part (in integral multiples of $1,000), together with interest due on the amount
so redeemed through the date of redemption. Partial redemptions made as provided
in this subsection 2.06(c) shall, to the extent thereof, be applied first to
reduce the principal due at maturity of the Notes and next to reduce the
payments required by subsection 2.06(a) in inverse order of maturity thereof.

                  (d) Notice of Redemptions; Pro Rata Redemptions. Notice of any
optional redemption pursuant to subsection 2.06(c) shall be given to all holders
of the Notes at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the date of such
redemption and notice of any required redemption pursuant to Section 2.06(b)
shall be given to all holders of the Notes at least ten (10) Business Days prior
to the closing of a Qualifying Liquidity Event. Each redemption of Notes
pursuant to subsections 2.06(a) or (c) shall be made so that the Notes then held
by each holder shall be redeemed in a principal amount which shall bear the same
ratio to the total unpaid principal amount being redeemed on all Notes as the
unpaid principal amount of Notes then held by such holder bears to the aggregate
unpaid principal amount of the Notes then outstanding.

         2.07. Maximum Legal Rate of Interest. Nothing in this Agreement or in
the Notes shall require the Borrowers to pay interest at a rate in excess of the
maximum rate permitted by applicable law.

<PAGE>   13
                                       12

         2.08. Payment on Non-Business Days. Whenever any payment to be made
shall be due on a day which is not a Business Day, such payment may be made on
the next succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall in such case
be included in the computation of payment of interest due.

         2.09. Transfer and Exchange of Notes. The holder of any Note or Notes
may, prior to maturity or prepayment thereof, surrender such Note or Notes at
the principal office of the Company for transfer or exchange. Any holder
desiring to transfer or exchange any Note shall notify the Company in writing of
such transfer or exchange. Within a reasonable time after such notice to the
Company from a holder of its intention to make such exchange and without expense
(other than transfer taxes, if any) to such holder, the Borrowers shall issue in
exchange therefor another Note or Notes, in such denominations as requested by
the holder, for the same aggregate principal amount, as of the date of such
issuance, as the unpaid principal amount of the Note or Notes so surrendered and
having the same maturity and rate of interest, containing the same provisions
and subject to the same terms and conditions as the Note or Notes so
surrendered. Each new Note shall be made payable to such Person or Persons, or
assigns, as the holder of such surrendered Note or Notes may designate, and such
transfer or exchange shall be made in such a manner that no gain or loss of
principal or interest shall result therefrom.

         2.10. Replacement of Notes. Upon receipt of evidence satisfactory to
the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of any Note and, if
requested in the case of any such loss, theft or destruction, upon delivery of
an indemnity bond or other agreement or security reasonably satisfactory to the
Company, or, in the case of any such mutilation, upon surrender and cancellation
of such Note, the Borrowers will issue a new Note, of like tenor and amount and
dated the date to which interest has been paid, in lieu of such lost, stolen,
destroyed or mutilated Note; provided, however, if any Note of which a
Purchaser, its nominee, any of its partners or any of its Affiliates is the
holder is lost, stolen or destroyed, the affidavit of an authorized partner or
officer of the holder setting forth the circumstances with respect to such loss,
theft or destruction shall be accepted as satisfactory evidence thereof, and no
indemnification bond or other security shall be required as a condition to the
execution and delivery by the Borrowers of a new Note in replacement of such
lost, stolen or destroyed Note other than the holder's written agreement to
indemnify the Borrowers.

         2.11. Default Rate of Interest. If an Event of Default has occurred and
is continuing, from and after the date such Event of Default occurred the entire
outstanding unpaid principal balance of the Notes and any unpaid interest from
time to time due thereon shall bear interest, payable on demand, at the rate of
15.0% per annum, or such lower rate as then may be the maximum rate permitted by
applicable law; provided, however, that upon the cessation or cure of such Event
of Default, if no other Event of Default is then continuing, the Notes shall
again bear interest at the rate of 12.0% per annum as set forth in Section 2.01.

                                   ARTICLE III

         PURCHASE, SALE AND TERMS OF WARRANTS; OBLIGATION TO REPURCHASE

         3.01. The Warrants. The Company has authorized the issuance and sale to
the Purchasers of the Company's Common Stock Purchase Warrants for the purchase
(subject to

<PAGE>   14
                                       13

adjustment as provided therein) of an aggregate of 1,943,520 shares of the
Company's Common Stock (the "Warrant Shares"). The Common Stock Purchase
Warrants shall be substantially in the form set forth as Exhibit 3.01 attached
hereto and are herein referred to individually as a "Warrant" and collectively
as the "Warrants," which terms shall also include any warrants delivered in
exchange or replacement therefor. The Warrants shall be exercisable at a
purchase price, subject to adjustment as provided therein, of $0.01 per warrant
Share.

         3.02. Purchase and Sale of Warrants. The Company agrees to issue and
sell to each Purchaser, and, subject to and in reliance upon the
representations, warranties, terms and conditions of this Agreement, each
Purchaser severally agrees to purchase Warrants, as follows:

                  (a) At the Initial Closing as provided in Section 2.02(a), the
Company will issue and sell to each Purchaser, one Warrant to purchase the
number of Warrant Shares set forth opposite such Purchaser's name under the
heading "Warrant for Number of Warrant Shares Issued at Initial Closing" on
Exhibit 3.02.

                  (b) At the Takedown Closing as provided in Section 2.02(b),
the Company will issue and sell to the Purchasers, one Warrant to purchase the
number of Warrant Shares set forth opposite such Purchaser's name under the
heading "Warrant for Number of Warrant Shares Issued at Takedown Closing" on
Exhibit 3.02.

         3.03. Right to Put Warrants and Warrant Shares. During the twelve-month
period ending on March 31, 2004 (the "First Resale Period") and the twelve-month
period ending on March 31, 2005 (the "Second Resale Period"), each of the
holders of the Warrants and Warrant Shares shall have the right to sell to the
Company (and the Company hereby agrees to purchase), at the Repurchase Price
specified in Section 3.06, a number of such holder's Warrants and Warrant Shares
not to exceed (i) during the First Resale Period, fifty percent (50%) of the
Warrants and Warrant Shares held by such holder and (ii) during the Second
Resale Period, any remaining Warrants and Warrant Shares held by such holder.

         3.04. Notice and Payment. A holder of Warrants or Warrant Shares shall
give the Company at least ten (10) days' prior written notice (which notice
shall be irrevocable) of its intention to exercise any right of sale set forth
in Section 3.03 hereof (the "Put Notice") and shall specify in such notice the
number of Warrants and/or Warrant Shares to be sold and may specify in such
notice a proposed date of sale. The closing of any repurchase of the Warrants or
Warrant Shares pursuant to Section 3.03 hereof shall take place at the offices
of the Company at 10:00 a.m. local time on a Business Day (the "Put Closing
Date") which shall not be later than the latest to occur of (i) the date
specified in the Put Notice and (ii) the date which is 120 days after a final
determination of the Repurchase Price pursuant to Section 3.06.

         On or prior to the Put Closing Date, the Company shall deliver a
certified or bank cashier's check to the holder of the Warrants or Warrant
Shares being repurchased, at his or its address as the same appears in the
transfer records of the Company, in an amount equal to the aggregate Repurchase
Price for the Warrants and Warrant Shares being repurchased from such holder,
determined in accordance with Section 3.06 hereof, or shall transfer such amount
by wire transfer of immediately available funds to any account specified in
writing by such holder to the Company.

<PAGE>   15
                                       14

         3.05. Insufficiency of Funds. In the event that any or all of the
Repurchase Price is not paid to any holder entitled thereto as a result of the
insufficiency of legally available funds under the Delaware General Corporation
Law or otherwise, the obligation to effect the repurchase shall remain an
obligation of the Company and shall be performed as soon as there are funds
legally available therefor. Interest shall accrue on the Repurchase Price of any
such unperformed obligations at a rate of fifteen percent (15%) per annum,
compounded on a quarterly basis, to the extent permitted by law. Such interest
shall become due and payable on the date when the Repurchase Price is payable.

         3.06. Repurchase Price for Warrants and Warrant Shares. The repurchase
price (the "Repurchase Price") for each Warrant (determined on the basis of the
number of Warrant Shares into which it is then exercisable) and each Warrant
Share which is to be repurchased by the Company pursuant to Section 3.03 hereof
shall be the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the fair market value (as defined
below) of the aggregate of all of the outstanding Common Stock as of the end of
the Company's last full fiscal quarter immediately preceding the Put Notice,
including in such outstanding Common Stock the Warrant Shares and all shares of
Common Stock which could be acquired from the Company upon exercise or
conversion of any outstanding options or other securities then exercisable or
convertible into Common Stock (collectively, as of any time of determination,
the "Outstanding Common Stock"), by (ii) the number of shares of Outstanding
Common Stock. For purposes of this Section 3.06, the "fair market value" of the
Outstanding Common Stock shall be determined in good faith by the Purchasers and
the Company. If the Purchasers and the Company are unable to agree on such fair
market value, then an independent and nationally-recognized investment banking
firm (the "Appraiser") selected by the mutual agreement of the Purchasers and
the Company shall appraise the fair market value of the Outstanding Common Stock
and to perform the computations involved. The determination of such Appraiser
shall be binding upon the Company, the Purchasers and any other holder of
Warrants or Warrant Shares. If the Purchasers and the Company cannot agree on an
Appraiser, then the fair market value of the Outstanding Common Stock shall be
determined by the following process: the Purchasers shall choose one Appraiser
and the Company shall choose a second Appraiser, if such Appraisers shall arrive
at valuations that do not differ from each other by more than ten percent (10%),
then the fair market value shall be deemed to be the mathematical mean of such
valuations and such fair market value determination shall be binding upon the
Company, the Purchasers and any other holder of Warrants or Warrant Shares; and
if such valuations shall differ by greater than ten percent (10%), then such
Appraisers shall select a third Appraiser and the fair market value shall be the
mathematical mean of (i) the value determined by such third Appraiser and (ii)
the value previously determined by one of the two previous Appraisers whose
value is closest to the value determined by the third Appraiser and such fair
market value determination shall be binding upon the Company, the Purchaser and
any other holder of Warrants or Warrant Shares. All expenses of any and all
Appraisers engaged pursuant to this Section 3.06 shall be borne by the Company.
In all cases, the determination of fair market value shall be made without
consideration of the lack of a liquid public market for the Outstanding Common
Stock and without consideration of any "control premium" or any discount for
holding less than a majority or controlling interest of the Outstanding Common
Stock.

         3.07. Delivery of Certificates; Reissuance. Upon the timely receipt of
the Repurchase Price (plus interest, if applicable) for Warrants or Warrant
Shares sold to the Company pursuant

<PAGE>   16
                                       15

to Section 3.03 hereof, the holder thereof shall deliver the Warrants and/or
Warrant Shares, as the case may be, so sold to the Company. To the extent that
less than all the holder's Warrants or Warrant Shares are sold, the Company
shall forthwith issue and deliver to such holder, as appropriate, (a) Warrants
in every respect identical to the Warrants so forwarded, except that the same
shall provide for the purchase by the holder of such lesser number of Warrant
Shares as shall be represented by the Warrants which the Company has not
repurchased and (b) certificates representing outstanding Warrant Shares which
the Company has not repurchased. Upon timely payment of the Repurchase Price
therefor (plus interest, if applicable), Warrants so repurchased shall no longer
be exercisable or have any validity whatsoever.

         3.08. Right to Purchase New Mezzanine Securities.

                  (a) Right of First Offer. Prior to soliciting proposals from
third-parties in connection with the purchase, sale and issuance of any
Subordinated Debt, whether or not in combination with warrants or other equity
securities (such Subordinated Debt and/or warrants or other equity securities
herein referred to collectively as "Mezzanine Securities") of the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries to any Person, the Company will first offer, or cause such
Subsidiary to offer (the "Offer"), to each holder of the Notes (the
"Noteholders") an opportunity to submit a proposal providing for the Noteholders
or any Affiliate of the Noteholders to purchase such Mezzanine Securities (the
"Proposal"). The Proposal shall be made by the Noteholders within thirty (30)
days of receipt of the Offer and shall include the material terms upon which the
Noteholders (or Affiliates) will purchase the Mezzanine Securities. The
Noteholders and the Company may negotiate the material terms of the Proposal, in
which case the material revised terms of the Proposal shall be set forth by the
Noteholders in a revised proposal as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter
(the "Revised Proposal").

                  If the Company accepts the Proposal or a Revised Proposal, as
applicable, within fifteen (15) days of its receipt of the Proposal or a Revised
Proposal, as applicable, the Noteholders (or Affiliates) shall be entitled to
purchase such Mezzanine Securities and the Company and the Noteholders shall
each negotiate in good faith to finalize the terms of the Mezzanine Securities
and the purchase thereof by the Noteholders (or Affiliates). The obligation to
negotiate in good faith shall not impose an obligation to remove or materially
alter any material term or provision in, or to add any material term or
provision to, those set forth in the Proposal or Revised Proposal, as
applicable.

                  If the Company fails to accept (within the fifteen (15) day
consideration period) or rejects the Proposal or Revised Proposal, as
applicable, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall issue such Mezzanine
Securities unless (i) the material financial terms and conditions of such
Mezzanine Securities to be issued are materially more favorable in the aggregate
to the Company or such Subsidiary than those set forth in the Proposal or
Revised Proposal, as applicable, (ii) promptly upon its decision to reject the
Proposal or the Revised Proposal or upon the expiration of the fifteen (15) day
consideration period, as applicable, the Company has provided the Purchasers
with a written notice of rejection providing an explanation of its conclusion
that the material financial terms and conditions of such Mezzanine Securities
are materially more favorable than those set forth in the Proposal or the
Revised Proposal and (iii) such issuance of Mezzanine Securities occurs within
six (6) months of the date of the Proposal or the date of the Revised Proposal,
whichever is later.

<PAGE>   17
                                       16

                  (b) Right of Participation. Notwithstanding Section 3.08(a)
above, prior to issuing any Mezzanine Securities of the Company or any
Subsidiary to any Person, the Company will first give or cause such Subsidiary
to give to the Noteholders the right to purchase, on the same terms, the same
proportion of the Mezzanine Securities proposed to be sold by the Company or
such Subsidiary as the principal amount of the Notes owned by such Noteholders
bears to the amount of the Company's Total Debt at that time. Persons electing
to purchase Mezzanine Securities pursuant to this Section 3.08(b) shall also be
entitled to purchase (pro rata according to their holdings of Notes) offered
Mezzanine Securities that other Noteholders, if any, decline to purchase. Any
such right of purchase shall be exercisable for a period of thirty (30) days
after the Noteholders receive written notice of a proposed issuance of Mezzanine
Securities (and any such notice by the Company or a Subsidiary shall be given
not less than thirty (30) nor more than ninety (90) days prior to any such
issuance). The Company shall be entitled to sell any Mezzanine Securities not
purchased by the Noteholders pursuant to this Section 3.08(b) (i) during the
period ending six (6) months after the date of the Company's notice to such
Noteholders and (ii) at not less than the same price and upon terms not
materially less favorable to the Company than those offered to the Noteholders,
but may not otherwise sell such Mezzanine Securities without renewed compliance
with this Section 3.08(b).

         3.09. Termination Upon Qualified IPO. The Purchasers' right to put set
forth in Section 3.03 hereof and the Noteholders' right to purchase new
Mezzanine Securities set forth in Section 3.08 hereof shall terminate upon the
closing of a Qualified IPO.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                      CONDITIONS TO PURCHASERS' OBLIGATION

         The obligation of the Purchasers to purchase and pay for the Notes and
Warrants at the Initial Closing and the Takedown Closing is subject to the
following conditions, all or any of which may be waived in writing by the
Purchasers:

         4.01. Representations and Warranties. At the Initial Closing and at the
Takedown Closing, each of the representations and warranties of the Borrowers
set forth in Article VI hereof shall be true and correct in all material
respects at the time of, and immediately after giving effect to, the sale of the
Notes and the Warrants, provided, however, that Sections 6.18 and 6.19 shall be
updated by the Borrowers at the Takedown Closing.

         4.02A. Documentation at the Initial Closing. The Purchasers shall have
received prior to or at the Initial Closing all of the following, each in form
and substance satisfactory to the Purchasers and their special counsel:

                  (a) A certified copy of all charter documents of each of the
Borrowers; a certified copy of the resolutions of the board of directors and, to
the extent required, the stockholders of each of the Borrowers evidencing
approval, as applicable, of this Agreement, the Operative Documents and all
other matters contemplated hereby and thereby; a certified copy of the By-laws
of each of the Borrowers; and certified copies of all documents evidencing other
necessary corporate or other action and governmental approvals, if any, with
respect to this Agreement, the Operative Documents and all other matters
contemplated hereby or thereby.

<PAGE>   18
                                       17

                  (b) A favorable opinion of Vinson & Elkins, L.L.P., counsel
for the Borrowers, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Purchasers and their special counsel.

                  (c) A certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary
or Clerk or Assistant Clerk of each Borrower which shall certify the names of
the officers of each Borrower authorized to sign this Agreement, the Operative
Documents and any other documents or certificates to be delivered pursuant
hereto or thereto by the Borrowers or any of their officers, together with the
true signatures of such officers. The Purchasers may conclusively rely on each
such certificate until it shall receive a further certificate of the Secretary
or an Assistant Secretary or Clerk or Assistant Clerk of a Borrower canceling or
amending a prior certificate and submitting the signatures of the officers named
in such further certificate.

                  (d) A certificate from a duly authorized officer of each
Borrower stating that the representations and warranties contained in Article VI
hereof and otherwise made by the Borrowers in writing in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby are true and correct and that no condition or
event has occurred or is continuing or will result from the execution and
delivery of this Agreement or the Operative Documents which constitutes an Event
of Default or would constitute an Event of Default but for the requirement that
notice be given or time elapse or both.

                  (e) A Preferred Stock Subordination Agreement (the "Preferred
Stock Subordination Agreement") executed by all holders of the Company's
Preferred Stock and the Company substantially in the form of Exhibit 4.02A(e)
attached hereto.

                  (f) Payment for the costs, expenses, taxes and filing fees
identified in Section 9.04 as to which the Purchasers give the Company notice
prior to the Initial Closing.

                  (g) A certificate from a duly authorized officer of each
Borrower stating that all the conditions set forth in this Article IV have been
satisfied, other than those, if any, waived by the Purchasers in writing.

                  (h) A representation letter executed by a duly authorized
officer of the Company and issued to The Rockefeller Foundation in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit 4.02A(h).

                  (i) Such other documents referenced in any Exhibit hereto or
relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as the Purchasers or
their special counsel may reasonably request.

         4.02B. Documentation at the Takedown Closing. The Purchasers shall have
received prior to the Takedown Closing all of the following, each in form and
substance satisfactory to the Purchaser and their special counsel:

                  (a) A certificate from a duly authorized officer of each
Borrower stating on behalf of such Borrower that (i) the representations and
warranties contained in Article VI hereof and otherwise made by the Borrower in
writing in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby are true and
correct in all material respects as of the Takedown Closing; (ii) no condition

<PAGE>   19
                                       18

or event has occurred or is continuing or will result from the execution and
delivery of this Agreement or the Operative Documents which constitutes an Event
of Default or would constitute an Event of Default but for the requirement that
notice be given or time elapse or both; (iii) all of the conditions set forth in
this Article IV have been satisfied, other than those, if any, waived by the
Purchasers in writing; (iv) there have been no changes in the names of the
officers of each Borrower authorized to sign this Agreement, the Operative
Documents and any other documents or certificates to be delivered pursuant
hereto or thereto; (v) there have been no amendments, restatements or other
changes to the charter documents or By-laws of any Borrower, except for any
amendments, restatements or changes provided to the Purchasers prior to the
Takedown Closing; and (vi) the approval of the board of directors and, to the
extent required, the stockholders of each of the Borrowers of, as applicable,
this Agreement, the Operative Documents and all other matters contemplated
hereby and thereby remains in full force and effect.

                  (b) Certified copies of all amendments, restatements or other
changes to the charter documents or By-laws of the Borrowers.

                  (c) All documents evidencing necessary corporate or other
action and governmental approvals, if any, with respect to this Agreement, the
Operative Documents and all other matters contemplated hereby or thereby with
respect to the Takedown Closing.

                  (d) Payment for the costs, expenses, taxes and filing fees
identified in Section 9.04 as to which the Purchaser gives the Company notice
prior to the Takedown Closing.

         4.03. Board Matters. The board of directors of the Company shall have
been fixed at eight (8) members and, pursuant to the Stockholders' Agreement, a
representative of the Purchasers shall have been or shall simultaneously be
appointed to the board of directors of the Company.

         4.04. No Default. At the time of and immediately after giving effect to
the sale of the Notes and the Warrants at the Initial Closing and the Takedown
Closing there shall exist no Event of Default and no condition, event or act
that, with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute such
an Event of Default.

         4.05. Amended Certificate of Incorporation. The Company shall have
amended or shall simultaneously with the Initial Closing amend its Third Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation in form and substance satisfactory to
the Purchasers and their special counsel.

         4.06. Amended Registration Rights Agreement. The Amended and Restated
Registration Rights Agreement dated as of February 12, 1997 among the Company
and certain stockholders of the Company (the "Registration Rights Agreement")
shall have been amended in form and substance satisfactory to the Purchasers and
their special counsel.

         4.07. Amended Stockholders' Agreement. The Amended and Restated
Stockholders' Agreement dated as of February 12, 1997 among the Company and
certain stockholders of the Company (the "Stockholders' Agreement") shall have
been amended in form and substance satisfactory to the Purchasers and their
special counsel.

<PAGE>   20
                                       19

         4.08. Preferred Stock Financing. The Purchasers, together with certain
existing stockholders of the Company, shall have purchased, or simultaneously
with the Initial Closing shall purchase, and the Company shall have received
$5,000,000 in proceeds from the sale of the Company's Series C Convertible
Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, pursuant to the terms and
conditions of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement dated
the date hereof (the "Series C Purchase Agreement") by and among the Company,
the Purchasers and certain stockholders of the Company.

         4.09 HCFP Funding, Inc. The Borrowers shall have obtained from HCFP
Funding, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("HCFP"), any consents required under the
Loan and Security Agreement dated March 5, 1998 by and among HCFP and certain of
the Borrowers in connection with the offer, issuance and sale of the Notes and
the Warrants, the execution or delivery by the Borrowers of, or performance by
the Borrowers of their obligations under this Agreement, the Series C Agreement,
any of the Operative Documents or the Warrant Shares.

                                    ARTICLE V

                REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASERS

         5.01. Representations and Warranties of the Purchasers. At the Initial
Closing and the Takedown Closing, each Purchaser, for itself only, hereby
represents and warrants that:

                  (a) Such Purchaser has duly authorized, executed and delivered
this Agreement and such of the Operative Documents as require execution by such
Purchaser.

                  (b) It is such Purchaser's present intention to acquire the
Securities for its own account.

                  (c) The Securities are being and will be acquired for the
purpose of investment and not with a view to "distribution" or resale thereof
within the meaning of the Securities Act; subject, nevertheless, to the
condition that, except as otherwise provided herein or in the Stockholders'
Agreement, the disposition of the property of such Purchaser shall at all times
be within its control.

                  (d) Such Purchaser acknowledges that it has reviewed and
discussed the Borrowers' business, affairs and current prospects with such
officers of the Borrowers and others as it has deemed appropriate or desirable
in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Such
Purchaser further acknowledges that it has requested, received and reviewed such
information, undertaken such investigation and made such further inquiries of
officers of the Borrowers and others as it has deemed appropriate or desirable
in connection with such transactions, provided, however, no investigation made
heretofore or hereafter by or on behalf of such Purchaser shall have any effect
whatsoever on the representations and warranties of the Borrowers hereunder,
each of which will survive any such investigation.

                  (e) Such Purchaser understands that it must bear the economic
risk of its investment for an indefinite period of time because the Securities
are not, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act or any applicable
state securities laws, except as may be provided in this Agreement and the
Registration Rights Agreement, and may not be resold unless

<PAGE>   21
                                       20

subsequently registered under the Securities Act and such other laws or unless
an exemption from such registration is available. Such Purchaser also
understands that except as may be provided in this Agreement and the
Registration Rights Agreement, it is not contemplated that any registration will
be made under the Securities Act or any state securities laws, or that the
Company will take steps which will make the provisions of Rule 144 under the
Securities Act available to permit resale of the Securities, and that it has no
independent right to require the Company to so register the Securities.

                  (f) Such Purchaser represents that it has such knowledge and
experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating
the merits and risks of its investment in the Securities. Such Purchaser further
represents that it is an "accredited investor" as such term is defined in Rule
501 of Regulation D of the Commission under the Securities Act with respect to
the purchase of the Securities.

                  (g) No Person has or will have, as a result of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, any rights, interest or valid claim
against or upon any Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries for any commission, fee
or other compensation as a finder or broker because of any act or omission by
such Purchaser or any agent of such Purchaser.

                  (h) Such Purchaser hereby acknowledges that the Notes, the
Warrants and each certificate representing the Warrant Shares and any other
securities issued in respect of such shares upon any stock split, stock
dividend, recapitalization, merger or similar event (unless no longer required
in the opinion of counsel, which opinion and counsel shall be reasonably
satisfactory to the Company, it being agreed that Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault,
LLP shall be satisfactory) shall bear a legend substantially in the following
form:

         THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933,
         AS AMENDED, OR ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE
         SOLD, MORTGAGED, PLEDGED OR TRANSFERRED WITHOUT COMPLIANCE WITH THE
         REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION PROVISIONS OF APPLICABLE FEDERAL AND
         STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR APPLICABLE EXEMPTIONS THEREFROM.

The acquisition by such Purchaser of the Securities shall constitute a
confirmation by it of the foregoing representations.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BORROWERS

         At the Initial Closing and the Takedown Closing, each Borrower, jointly
and severally, hereby represents and warrants to each Purchaser as follows:

         6.01. Organization and Standing of the Borrowers and Subsidiaries;
Ownership. Each Borrower and each of the Subsidiaries is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
jurisdiction of its incorporation and has all requisite corporate power and
authority for the ownership and operation of its properties and for the carrying
on of its business as now conducted and as now proposed to be conducted. Each

<PAGE>   22
                                       21

Borrower and each of the Subsidiaries is duly licensed or qualified and in good
standing as a foreign corporation authorized to do business in all jurisdictions
wherein the character of the property owned or leased, or the nature of the
activities conducted, by it makes such licensing or qualification necessary,
except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified, either individually or
in the aggregate, would not have a material adverse effect on the business,
assets, liabilities, financial condition, or on the results of operations or
prospects of the Borrowers and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole (a "Material
Adverse Effect"). Except as set forth on Exhibit 6.01 attached hereto, no
Borrower and no Subsidiary owns, directly or indirectly, any capital stock or
other equity or ownership or proprietary interest in any Person.

         6.02. Corporate Action. Each Borrower has all necessary corporate power
and has taken all corporate action required to make all the provisions of this
Agreement, the Operative Documents and any other agreements and instruments
executed in connection herewith and therewith the valid and enforceable
obligations they purport to be. Each Borrower has duly executed and delivered
this Agreement, each of the Operative Documents and each other agreement and
instrument executed by it in connection herewith and therewith and each is a
legal, valid and binding obligation of such Borrower enforceable against such
Borrower in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement thereof may be
limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally and by general
principles of equity and, with respect to the enforceability of the provisions
set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, applicable Federal securities
laws. Sufficient shares of authorized but unissued Common Stock of the Company
have been reserved by appropriate corporate action in connection with the
prospective exercise of the Warrants. Neither the issuance of the Notes or
Warrants, nor the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of the
Warrants, is subject to preemptive or other similar statutory or contractual
rights or will conflict with any provisions of any agreement or instrument to
which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound, except to the
extent any of the foregoing has been waived.

         6.03. Governmental Approvals. No authorization, consent, approval,
license, exemption of or filing or registration with any court or governmental
department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or
foreign, is or will be necessary for, or in connection with, the offer,
issuance, sale, execution or delivery by the Borrowers of, or for the
performance by the Borrowers of their obligations under, this Agreement, any of
the Operative Documents or the Warrant Shares.

         6.04. Litigation. Except as set forth on Exhibit 6.04 attached hereto,
there is no litigation, action or governmental proceeding or investigation
pending or, to the best knowledge of the Borrowers, threatened against any
Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries, affecting any of their respective
properties or assets, or against any officer, key employee or principal
stockholder of any Borrower or any Subsidiary where such litigation, proceeding
or investigation (i) either individually or in the aggregate would have a
Material Adverse Effect, (ii) might call into question the validity of this
Agreement, any Operative Document or any action taken or to be taken pursuant
hereto or thereto or (iii) seeks to prevent the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, nor, to the best knowledge of the Borrowers, has
there occurred any event on the basis of which any litigation, proceeding or
investigation meeting the criteria of (i), (ii) or (iii) above might properly be
instituted. Except as set forth on Exhibit 6.04, no

<PAGE>   23
                                       22

Borrower and no Subsidiary nor, to the best knowledge of the Borrowers, any of
their respective officers, key employees or principal stockholders (in their
capacities as such), is in default with respect to any material order, writ,
injunction, decree, ruling or decision of any court, commission, board or other
government agency affecting any Borrower or any Subsidiary.

         6.05. Compliance with Law. Each Borrower and each Subsidiary is in
compliance in all respects with the terms and provisions of this Agreement and
of its Certificate or Articles of Incorporation, as applicable (or comparable
charter documents) and by-laws and in all material respects with the terms and
provisions of all material judgments, decrees, governmental orders, statutes,
rules and regulations to which it and its properties and assets are subject
(collectively, the "Applicable Laws").

         6.06. Federal Reserve Regulations. No Borrower and no Subsidiary is
engaged in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or
carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation G of the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System), and no part of the proceeds of the
Notes or Warrants will be used to purchase or carry any margin security or to
extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin
security or in any other manner which would involve a violation of any of the
regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

         6.07. Title to Assets, Patents. Except as set forth on Exhibit 6.07
attached hereto, each Borrower and each Subsidiary has good and marketable title
in fee to such of its fixed assets as are real property, and good and
merchantable title to all of its other assets, now carried on its books
including those reflected in the most recent balance sheet of the Company
included in the Financial Statements, or acquired since the date of such balance
sheet (except personal property disposed of since said date in the ordinary
course of business), free of any mortgages, pledges, charges, liens, security
interests or other encumbrances except, in the case of real property, for
easements, rights, restrictions and reservations of record. Except as set forth
on Exhibit 6.07, each Borrower and each Subsidiary enjoys peaceful and
undisturbed possession under all material leases under which it is operating,
and all of said leases are valid and subsisting and in full force and effect.
Except as set forth on Exhibit 6.07, each Borrower and each subsidiary owns or
has a valid right to use the patents, patent rights, licenses, permits, trade
secrets, trademarks, trademark rights, trade names or trade name rights or
franchises, copyrights, inventions and intellectual property rights necessary
for, or material to, the conduct of its business as now operated and as now
proposed to be operated; and the conduct of its business as now operated and as
now proposed to be operated does not and will not to the best knowledge of the
Borrowers conflict with valid patents, patent rights, licenses, permits, trade
secrets, trademarks, trademark rights, trade names or trade name rights or
franchises, copyrights, inventions and intellectual property rights of others.
Except as set forth on Exhibit 6.07, no Borrower and no Subsidiary has any
obligation to compensate any Person for the use of any such patents or such
rights nor has any Borrower or any Subsidiary granted to any Person any license
or other rights to use in any manner any of such patents or such rights.

         6.08. Financial Information. (a) Attached hereto as Exhibit 6.08A is
the audited balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of December 31,
1997 and the related statements of income and retained earnings and of cash
flows for the fiscal year then ended, certified by Ernst & Young, LLP, the
Company's independent public accountants and the

<PAGE>   24
                                       23

unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of
May 31, 1998 and the related statements of income and retained earnings and cash
flows for the five (5) months then ended (all such financial statements,
including the notes thereto, collectively the "Financial Statements"). All
Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and consistent
with prudent business management practices, are complete in all material
respects and fairly present the financial position of the Company and its
Subsidiaries as of the respective dates thereof and results of operations and
changes in financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries for each of
the periods then ended.

                  (b) Since May 31, 1998 or if this representation is being made
after the Initial Closing, the date of the most recent financial information
provided pursuant to Section 7.03(b), there has been no material adverse change
in the business, assets, liabilities, condition (financial or other), or in the
results of operations or prospects of the Borrowers and the Subsidiaries taken
as a whole.

                  (c) No Borrower and no Subsidiary has any liability,
contingent or otherwise, not disclosed in the Financial Statements or in the
notes thereto that could, together with all such other liabilities, have a
Material Adverse Effect, nor does any Borrower have any reasonable grounds to
know of any such liability.

                  (d) A schedule of Indebtedness of the Borrowers and the
Subsidiaries as of the Initial Closing Date (including Capital Leases) is
attached hereto as Exhibit 6.08B.

         6.09. Taxes. Each Borrower and each Subsidiary has accurately prepared
and timely filed all federal, state and other tax returns required by law to be
filed by it, and all taxes shown to be due and all additional assessments have
been paid or provision made therefor, except for filings and payments which, if
not so filed or paid, would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
Material Adverse Effect. The Borrowers do not know of any additional assessments
or adjustments pending or threatened against any Borrower or any Subsidiary for
any period, nor of any basis for any such assessment or adjustment. The charges,
accruals and reserves on the books of the Borrowers and the Subsidiaries in
respect of taxes or other governmental charges are, in the opinion of the
Borrowers, adequate.

         6.10. ERISA. Each Borrower and each Subsidiary is in compliance in all
material respects with the currently applicable provisions of The Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), and the applicable
provisions of Section 401 (a) of the Code. No employee benefit plan established
or maintained, or to which contributions have been made, by any Borrower or any
subsidiary, which is subject to part 3 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA, had an
accumulated funding deficiency (as such term is defined in Section 302 of ERISA)
as of the last day of the most recent fiscal year of such plan ended prior to
the date hereof, and no material liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation has been incurred with respect to any such plan by any Borrower or
any Subsidiary.

         6.11. Transactions with Affiliates. Except as set forth on Exhibit 6.11
attached hereto or as specifically contemplated by this Agreement, there are no
loans, leases, royalty agreements or other continuing transactions between any
Borrower or any Subsidiary, on the one hand, and any Person owning, or who did
own at any time within the two-year period preceding the date of

<PAGE>   25
                                       24

this Agreement, five percent (5%) or more of any class of capital stock of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or other entity controlled by such
stockholder or a member of such stockholder's family, on the other hand, except
for transactions between the Company and one or more of its Subsidiaries and one
or more of the Subsidiaries with each other.

         6.12. Assumptions or Guaranties of Indebtedness of Other Persons.
Except as set forth on Exhibit 6.12 attached hereto, no Borrower and no
Subsidiary has assumed, guaranteed, endorsed or otherwise become directly or
contingently liable on (including, without limitation, liability by way of
agreement, contingent or otherwise, to purchase, to provide funds for payment,
to supply funds to or otherwise invest in the debtor or otherwise to assure the
creditor against loss) any Indebtedness of any other Person.

         6.13. Investments in Other Persons. No Borrower and no Subsidiary has
made any loan or advance to any Person which is outstanding on the date of this
Agreement, nor is any Borrower or any Subsidiary obligated or committed to make
any such loan or advance, except for advances of expenses to employees in the
ordinary course of business.

         6.14. Securities Act. No Borrower nor anyone acting on its behalf has
offered or will offer to sell the Notes, Warrants or similar securities to, or
solicit offers with respect thereto from, or enter into any preliminary
conversations or negotiations relating thereto with, any Person, so as to bring
the issuance and sale of the Notes and Warrants under the registration
provisions of the Securities Act. The issuance and sale of the Notes and
Warrants pursuant to this Agreement is not required to be registered under the
Securities Act or applicable state securities or "Blue Sky" laws.

         6.15. Disclosure. None of this Agreement, the Financial Statements, the
Operative Documents, or any other agreement, document, certificate or written
statement furnished to any Purchaser or the Purchasers' special counsel by or on
behalf of any Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby contains any untrue statement of a material fact
or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
contained herein or therein not misleading. There is no fact within the
knowledge of the Borrowers or any of their executive officers which has not been
disclosed herein or in writing by them to the Purchasers and which has a
Material Adverse Effect, or in the future in their opinion could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Without limiting the foregoing, no
Borrower has knowledge of any specific existing, pending or planned patent,
invention or device which would have a Material Adverse Effect.

         6.16. No Brokers or Finders. No Person had, has or will have, as a
result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, any right, interest
or valid claim against or upon the Purchasers, any of the Borrowers or any of
the Subsidiaries for any commission, fee or other compensation as a finder or
broker because of any act or omission by any Borrower, any of the Subsidiaries
or any or its or their agents.

         6.17. Other Agreements of Officers. To the best knowledge of the
Borrowers, no officer or key employee of any Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries
is a party to or bound by any agreement, contract or commitment, or subject to
any restrictions, particularly but without limitation in connection with any
previous employment of any such person, which has a Material

<PAGE>   26
                                       25

Adverse Effect, or in the future may (so far as the Borrowers can reasonably
foresee) have a Material Adverse Effect. To the best knowledge of the Borrowers,
no officer or key employee of any Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries has any
present intention of terminating his employment with any Borrower or any of the
Subsidiaries and no Borrower and no Subsidiary has any present intention of
terminating any such employment.

         6.18. Capitalization of the Company; Status of Capital Stock. The
Company has a total authorized capitalization consisting of 24,112,741 shares of
Common Stock, of which 5,783,000 shares are issued and outstanding, and
16,386,221 shares of Preferred Stock, of which 7,009,091 shares are designated
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, all of which are issued and outstanding,
6,519,993 shares are designated Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, of which
6,400,000 shares are issued and outstanding, and 2,857,137 shares are designated
Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, none of which are issued and outstanding.
A complete list of the outstanding capital stock of the Company and the names in
which such capital stock of the Company is registered is set forth on Exhibit
6.18 hereto. All the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company have
been duly authorized, are validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable.
The shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, when so
issued, will be duly authorized, validly issued and fully paid and
nonassessable. Except as otherwise set forth on Exhibit 6.18 and except for the
Warrants, there are no options, warrants or rights to purchase shares of capital
stock or other securities of the Company authorized, issued or outstanding, nor
is the Company obligated in any other manner to issue shares of its capital
stock or other securities. Except as otherwise set forth on Exhibit 6.18 or as
set forth in the Stockholders' Agreement, there are no restrictions on the
transfer of shares of capital stock of the Company other than those imposed by
relevant state and federal securities laws. Except as set forth in this
Agreement, in the Warrants, in the Stockholders' Agreement or as otherwise set
forth on Exhibit 6.18, no holder of any security of the Company is entitled to
preemptive or similar statutory or contractual rights, either arising pursuant
to any agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party, or which are
otherwise binding upon the Company. The offer and sale of all shares of capital
stock and other securities of the Company issued before the Initial Closing and
the Takedown Closing, as the case may be, complied with or were exempt from all
federal and state securities laws.

         6.19. Capital Stock of Other Borrowers and Subsidiaries. The Company
owns all of the outstanding capital stock of each of the Borrowers (other than
the Company) and of each of the other Subsidiaries, beneficially and of record,
free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, restrictions and claims of every
kind. All the outstanding shares of capital stock of each of the Borrowers and
the other Subsidiaries have been duly authorized, are validly issued and are
fully paid and nonassessable. There are no options, warrants or rights to
purchase shares of capital stock or other securities of any of the Borrowers
(other than the Company) or the other Subsidiaries authorized, issued or
outstanding, nor is any Borrower (other than the Company) or other Subsidiary
obligated in any other manner to issue shares of its capital stock or other
securities.

         6.20. Labor Relations. To the best knowledge of the Borrowers, no labor
union or any representative thereof has made any attempt to organize or
represent employees of any Borrower or any Subsidiary. To the best knowledge of
the Borrowers, there are no unfair labor practice charges, pending trials with
respect to unfair labor practice charges, pending material grievance

<PAGE>   27
                                       26

proceedings or adverse decisions of a Trial Examiner of the National Labor
Relations Board against any Borrower or any subsidiary. Furthermore, to the best
knowledge of the Borrowers, relations with employees of the Borrowers and the
Subsidiaries are good and there is no reason to believe that any material labor
difficulties will arise in the foreseeable future.

         6.21. Insurance. Each Borrower and each Subsidiary has insurance
covering its properties and business adequate and customary for the type and
scope of its properties and business.

         6.22. Books and Records. The books of account, ledgers, order books,
records and documents of the Borrowers and the Subsidiaries accurately and
completely reflect all material information relating to the business of the
Borrowers and the Subsidiaries, the nature, acquisition, maintenance, location
and collection of the assets of the Borrowers and the Subsidiaries, and the
nature of all transactions giving rise to the obligations or accounts receivable
of the Borrowers and the Subsidiaries.

         6.23. Registration Right. Other than pursuant to the terms of the
Registration Rights Agreement, no Person has demand or other rights to cause the
Company, any Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries to file any registration
statement under the Securities Act relating to any securities of the Company,
any Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries or any right to participate in any such
registration statement.

         6.24. Other Agreements. Except as explicitly disclosed and described in
the Financial Statements or as set forth on Exhibit 6.24 attached hereto, no
Borrower and no Subsidiary is a party to any written or oral contract or
instrument or other corporate restriction the due performance of which
individually or in the aggregate could have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as
specifically contemplated by this Agreement or as described in the Financial
Statements or as set forth on Exhibit 6.08B or Exhibit 6.24 attached hereto, no
Borrower and no Subsidiary is a party to or otherwise bound or affected by any
written or oral:

                  (a) agreement, contract or commitment with any present or
former stockholder, director, officer, employee or consultant or for the
employment of any Person, including without limitation any consultant, involving
in any one case $100,000 or more per annum;

                  (b) agreement, contract, commitment or arrangement with any
labor union or other representative of employees;

                  (c) agreement, contract or commitment for the purchase of, or
payment for, supplies or products, or for the performance of services by a third
party, involving in any one case $25,000 or more, other than purchase orders for
the acquisition of raw materials inventory, food, linens, cleaning supplies and
other consummables incurred in the ordinary course of business;

                  (d) other agreement, contract or commitment exceeding $50,000
in value;

<PAGE>   28
                                       27

                  (e) lease under which it is either lessor or lessee, except
for equipment leases and leases of supplies entered into in the ordinary course
of business which do not involve lease payments of $25,000 or more per annum;

                  (f) note, debenture, bond, conditional sale agreement,
equipment trust agreement, letter of credit agreement, loan agreement or other
agreement or contract, commitment or arrangement for the borrowing or lending of
money (including without limitation loans to or from officers, directors, any
stockholder or any member of any of their immediate families), agreement,
contract, commitment or arrangement for a line of credit or guarantee, pledge or
undertaking in any manner whatsoever of the indebtedness of any other Person;

                  (g) agreement, contract or commitment for any charitable or
political contribution;

                  (h) agreement, contract or commitment for any Capital
Expenditure in excess of $50,000;

                  (i) agreement, contract or commitment limiting or restraining
it from engaging or competing in any lines of business with any Person, nor is
any officer or employee of any Borrower or any Subsidiary subject to any such
agreement;

                  (j) license, franchise, distributorship or other similar
agreement, contract or commitment, including without limitation those which
relate in whole or in part to any patent, trademark, trade name, service mark or
copyright or to any ideas, technical assistance or other know-how of or used by
any Borrower or any Subsidiary; or

                  (k) agreement, contract or commitment not made in the ordinary
course of business exceeding the sum of $50,000 in value or liability.

The Borrowers and the Subsidiaries and, to the best of the Borrowers' knowledge,
each other party thereto have in all material respects performed all the
obligations required to be performed by them to date, have received no notice of
default and are not in material default under any lease, agreement or contract
now in effect to which any Borrower or any Subsidiary is a party or by which any
Borrower or any Subsidiary or its respective property may be bound. No Borrower
and no Subsidiary has any present expectation or intention of not fully
performing all its obligations under each such lease, contract or other
agreement, and the Borrowers have no knowledge of any material breach or
anticipated material breach by the other party to any contract or commitment to
which any Borrower or any Subsidiary is a party. Neither the execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the Operative Documents, nor the consummation of
any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, has constituted or
resulted in or will constitute or result in a default or violation of any term
or provision of any such lease, contract or other agreement.

         6.25. Hazardous and Toxic Materials. (a) None of the properties owned,
leased or operated by any Borrower or any Subsidiary is in material violation of
any federal, state or local laws, ordinances, regulations, or policies existing
or enacted relating to the environment, health and safety, any Hazardous
Discharges (as hereinafter defined) or to industrial hygiene or the
environmental conditions on, under or about any of the property owned, leased or
operated by

<PAGE>   29
                                       28

any Borrower or any Subsidiary, including, without limitation, soil and ground
water conditions; (b) no Borrower and no Subsidiary has received any complaint,
order, citation or notice with regard to air emissions, Hazardous Discharges or
other environmental, health or safety matters affecting any of the properties at
any time owned, leased or operated by any Borrower or any Subsidiary or the
businesses therein conducted, and (c) there has been no spill, discharge,
release or cleanup of any hazardous or toxic waste or substance or any oil or
pesticide which would result in a Material Adverse Effect ("Hazardous
Substances") (except spills, discharges or releases of oil and pesticides in the
ordinary course of business and permitted by applicable federal, state and local
laws) at any of the properties at any time owned, leased or operated by any
Borrower or any Subsidiary, including, without limitation, into or upon any of
its soils, surface water, ground water or the improvements located thereon (a
"Hazardous Discharge"). To the extent that any of the properties owned, leased
or operated by any Borrower or any Subsidiary are used for the handling,
storage, transportation or disposal of hazardous or toxic materials, such use is
in accordance in all material respects with all federal, state and local
environmental laws, rules, and regulations which apply to the handling, storage,
transportation or disposal of hazardous or toxic materials and the Borrowers and
the Subsidiaries have obtained any and all necessary permits, licenses and
approvals with respect to such use, including without limitation, United States
Environmental Protection Agency identification numbers, hazardous waste
manifests and hazardous waste permits required under the Federal Resource
Conversation and Recovery Act, the failure of which to obtain could have a
Material Adverse Effect.

         6.26. Customers, Vendors and Suppliers. None of the customers of the
Borrowers and the Subsidiaries or vendors or suppliers of merchandise or
supplies to the Borrowers and the Subsidiaries has canceled or otherwise
terminated or made any threat to cancel or otherwise terminate its relationship
with any Borrower or any Subsidiary, nor has any such customer, vendor or
supplier indicated an intent or desire to materially decrease its sales volume
or purchase volume, as the case may be, with any Borrower or any Subsidiary,
except where any such cancellation, termination, threat to cancel or terminate
or intent or desire to decrease its sales volume or purchase volume would not
have a Material Adverse Effect.

         6.27. U.S. Real Property Holding Corporation. No Borrower and no
Subsidiary is now, nor will it be immediately after the Initial Closing or the
Takedown Closing, a "United States Real Property Holding Corporation" as defined
in Section 897(c)(2) of the Code and Section 1.897-2(b) of the Regulations
promulgated by the Internal Revenue Service.

         6.28. No Violations. Neither the execution and delivery of this
Agreement and the Operative Documents, nor the consummation of any of the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, by the Borrower, will (a) violate,
conflict with, or result in a breach or default under any provision of the
Certificate or Articles of Incorporation, as applicable, or by-laws of the
Borrowers or the Subsidiaries, (b) violate any provision of any Applicable Laws,
or (c) result in a material violation or breach by the Borrowers or the
Subsidiaries of, conflict with, constitute (with or without due notice or lapse
of time or both) a default by the Borrowers or the Subsidiaries (or give rise to
any right of termination, cancellation, payment or acceleration) under, or
result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of any
of the Borrowers or the Subsidiaries under, any of the terms, conditions or
provisions of any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, license, franchise, permit,
agreement, lease, franchise agreement or

<PAGE>   30
                                       29

other instrument or obligation to which any of the Borrowers or the Subsidiaries
is a party, or by which it or any of its respective properties or assets may be
bound.

         6.29 Compliance with Healthcare Laws. Each Borrower and each
Subsidiary, and each of their licensed employees are, and have been at all
relevant times (or, with respect to such employees, such employees have been
during their employment with the Borrowers and/or the Subsidiaries), in
compliance with all applicable statutes, laws, ordinances, rules, orders, and
regulations of any governmental authority with respect to matters primarily
relating to patient healthcare (collectively, "Healthcare Laws"), except where
failure to comply would not have a Material Adverse Effect. Each Borrower and
each Subsidiary has maintained all records required to be maintained by the Food
and Drug Administration, Drug Enforcement Agency and State Boards of Pharmacy
and the Medicare and Medicaid programs as required of the Borrowers or the
Subsidiaries by applicable Healthcare Laws, and there are no presently existing
circumstances which would result or likely would result in violations of
Healthcare Laws which would have a Material Adverse Effect. Each health care
facility operated by the Borrowers and/or the Subsidiaries is certified by the
appropriate state and federal authorities for any applicable Medicare and
Medicaid program, and such health care facility is licensed to operate under the
laws of the state in which it is located, and all licenses, permits,
certifications and governmental approvals that are necessary to operate such
health care facility are valid, current and in good standing.

         6.30 Reimbursement Claims. Neither the Borrowers nor any of the
Subsidiaries has received any notice or correspondence, nor are they aware of
any basis for receiving the same, that any Medicare, Medicaid or any other payor
programs have any claims against it that could result in a net offset against
past or future reimbursement of the Borrowers or the Subsidiaries not otherwise
reflected in the Financial Statements. To the knowledge of the Borrowers,
neither the Borrowers nor any of the Subsidiaries nor any of their respective
employees (while acting in the capacity of an employee of the Borrowers or any
of the Subsidiaries) has committed a violation of the Medicare and Medicaid
fraud and abuse provisions of The Social Security Act or the Civil Monetary
Penalties Law of the Social Security Act.

         6.31 Medicare/Medicaid Participation/Accreditation. Each of the health
care facilities operated by the Borrowers and/or the Subsidiaries that are
required to have a provider contract with any Medicare and Medicaid programs
have a current and valid provider contract with such Medicare and Medicaid
programs, and all such facilities are in compliance with the conditions of
participation of such programs and have received all approvals or qualifications
necessary for capital reimbursement of the applicable assets of the Borrowers
and the Subsidiaries, except where failure to so comply would not have a
Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Borrowers nor any of the Subsidiaries have
received notice from any Medicare or Medicaid program, or any Person
administering such programs, of any pending or threatened investigations or
surveys, notice of provider reimbursement or recoupment and neither the
Borrowers nor any of the Subsidiaries has any reason to believe that any such
investigations or surveys are pending, threatened or imminent.

<PAGE>   31
                                       30

                                   ARTICLE VII

                           COVENANTS OF THE BORROWERS

         7.01. Affirmative Covenants of the Borrowers Other Than Reporting
Requirements. Without limiting any other covenants and provisions hereof, each
Borrower covenants and agrees that, as long as any of the Securities are
outstanding (except that (1) the provisions of Sections 7.01(a), (m), (n), (o)
and (p) shall terminate upon repayment in full of the aggregate outstanding
principal balance of the Notes together with all interest and premium, if any,
due thereon, and (2) the remainder of the provisions of this Article shall
terminate upon the later to occur of (1) above and a Qualified IPO), it will
perform and observe the following covenants and provisions and will cause each
of the Subsidiaries to perform and observe such of the following covenants and
provisions as are applicable to each such Subsidiary:

                  (a) Punctual Payment. Pay the principal of, premium, if any,
and interest on each of the Notes at the times and place and in the manner
provided in the Notes and herein.

                  (b) Payment of Taxes and Trade Debt. Pay and discharge, and
cause each Subsidiary to pay and discharge, all taxes, assessments and
governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its income or profits or
business, or upon any properties belonging to it, prior to the date on which
penalties attach thereto, and all lawful claims which, if unpaid, might become a
lien or charge upon any properties of any Borrower or any Subsidiary, provided
that no Borrower and no Subsidiary shall be required to pay any such tax,
assessment, charge, levy or claim which is being contested in good faith and by
appropriate proceedings or if the Borrower or Subsidiary is lawfully seeking an
abatement with respect thereto, if the Borrower or the Subsidiary concerned
shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto. Pay
and cause each Subsidiary to pay, when due, or in conformity with customary
trade terms, all lease obligations, all trade debt, and all other Indebtedness
incident to the operations of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, except (i) such
as are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings if the
Borrower or the Subsidiary concerned shall have set aside on its books adequate
reserves with respect thereto and (ii) those which the failure to pay will not,
individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (c) Maintenance of Insurance. Maintain, and cause each
Subsidiary to maintain, insurance with responsible and reputable insurance
companies or associations in such amounts and covering such risks as is usually
carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties
in the same general areas in which the relevant Borrower or Subsidiary operates,
and in any event in amounts sufficient to prevent the Borrowers and the
Subsidiaries from becoming co-insurers.

                  (d) Preservation of Corporate Existence. Preserve and
maintain, and cause each Subsidiary to preserve and maintain, its corporate
existence, rights, franchises and privileges in the jurisdiction of its
incorporation, and qualify and remain qualified, and cause each Subsidiary to
qualify and remain qualified, as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in
which such qualification is necessary or desirable in view of its business and
operations or the ownership of its properties, except where the failure to so
preserve and maintain or to remain so qualified would not, either individually
or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect;

<PAGE>   32
                                       31

provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall prevent any merger,
consolidation or transfer of assets permitted by subsection 7.02(e). Preserve
and maintain, and cause each Subsidiary to preserve and maintain, all licenses
and other rights to use patents, processes, licenses, trademarks, trade names,
inventions, intellectual property rights or copyrights owned or possessed by it
and necessary to the conduct of its business.

                  (e) Compliance with Laws. Comply, and cause each Subsidiary to
comply, with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders of any
governmental authority, the noncompliance with which could have a Material
Adverse Effect.

                  (f) Inspection Right. At any reasonable time and from time to
time upon reasonable notice, permit the Purchasers or any of their agents or
representatives to examine and make copies of and extracts from the records and
books of account of, and visit and inspect the properties of, any Borrower and
any Subsidiary, and to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of any
Borrower and any Subsidiary with any of their officers or directors and
independent accountants. All reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of the Purchasers
(or their agents or representatives), any Borrower or any Subsidiary incurred in
connection with such inspection rights shall be borne by the Company.

                  (g) Keeping of Records and Books of Account. Keep, and cause
each Subsidiary to keep, adequate records and books of account, in which
complete entries will be made in accordance with GAAP, reflecting all financial
transactions of the Borrowers and the Subsidiaries, and in which, for each
fiscal Year, all proper reserves for depreciation, depletion, obsolescence,
amortization, taxes, bad debts and other purposes in connection with its
business shall be made.

                  (h) Maintenance of Properties, Etc. Maintain and preserve, and
cause each Subsidiary to maintain and preserve, all of its properties, necessary
or useful in the proper conduct of its business, in good repair, working order
and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted.

                  (i) Compliance with ERISA. Comply, and cause each Subsidiary
to comply, with all minimum funding requirements applicable to any pension or
other employee benefit or employee contribution plans which are subject to ERISA
or to the Code, and comply, and cause each Subsidiary to comply, in all other
material respects with the provisions of ERISA and the Code, and the rules and
regulations thereunder, which are applicable to any such plan. No Borrower and
no Subsidiary will permit any event or condition to exist which could permit any
such plan to be terminated under circumstances which would cause the lien
provided for in Section 4068 of ERISA to attach to the assets of any Borrower or
any Subsidiary.

                  (j) Attendance at Board Meetings. At any time at which a
nominee of the purchasers is not a member of the board of directors or any
committee of the Company as provided in this Agreement and the Stockholders'
Agreement, permit the Purchasers or their designee to have one observer attend
each meeting of the board of directors of the Company and any committee thereof.
The Company will send to the Purchasers and their designee the notice of the
time and place of any such meeting in the same manner and at the same time as
notice is sent to the directors or committee members, as the case may be.

<PAGE>   33
                                       32

                  (k) Payment of Senior Debt by the Purchasers. In the event
that any default occurs in the payment of the principal of or any interest on
any Senior Debt and such default shall continue for a period of thirty (30) days
(or such shorter period as is necessary in order to permit the Purchasers to act
pursuant to this subsection prior to any acceleration of such Senior Debt)
without waiver or forbearance by the lender thereof, permit the Purchasers, on
behalf of the Company, to cure such default, to prepay in full any such Senior
Debt.

                  (l) [Intentionally Deleted.]

                  (m) U.S. Real Property Holding Corporation. Each Borrower
shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary (if and when such Subsidiary exists) to,
conduct its business, and do or cause to be done any and all actions as are
necessary, so that neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall at any time be a
"United States Real Property Holding Corporation" as defined in Section
897(c)(2) of the Code and Section 1.897-2(b) of the Regulations promulgated by
the Internal Revenue Service.

                  (n) Minimum Tangible Net Worth. The Borrowers shall maintain a
Tangible Net Worth, measured as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, equal to
or greater than (i) $12,000,000 as of the end of each of the Borrowers' fiscal
quarters beginning with the fiscal quarter ending on December 31, 1998 through
and including the fiscal quarter ending on December 31, 1999, and (ii)
$12,000,000 plus 80% of Consolidated Net Income (with no credit for losses) for
each fiscal quarter subsequent to December 31, 1999.

                  (o) Interest Expense Coverage Ratio. As of the end each of the
Borrowers' fiscal quarters beginning with the fiscal quarter ending on December
31, 1998 through and including the fiscal quarter ending on December 31, 1999,
the Borrowers shall maintain a ratio, measured as of the last day of each such
fiscal quarter, of (a) Adjusted EBITDA for the three (3) consecutive months
immediately prior to the end of each such fiscal quarter to (b) Interest Expense
for the same three (3) month period of not less than 1.50 to 1. As of the end of
each of the Borrowers' fiscal quarters beginning with the fiscal quarter ending
on March 31, 2000 through and including the fiscal quarter ending on December
31, 2000, the Borrowers shall maintain a ratio, measured as of the last day of
each such fiscal quarter, of (a) EBITDA for the twelve (12) consecutive months
immediately prior to the end of each such fiscal quarter to (b) Interest Expense
for the same twelve (12) month period of not less than 2.00 to 1. As of the end
of each of the Borrowers' fiscal quarters beginning with the fiscal quarter
ending on March 31, 2001, the Borrowers shall maintain a ratio, measured as of
the last day of each such fiscal quarter, of (a) EBITDA for the twelve (12)
consecutive months immediately prior to the end of each such fiscal quarter to
(b) Interest Expense for the same twelve (12) month period of not less than 3.00
to 1.

                  (p) Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. As of the end each of the
Borrowers' fiscal quarters beginning with the fiscal quarter ending on December
31, 1998 through and including the fiscal quarter ending on December 31, 1999,
the Borrowers shall maintain a ratio, measured as of the last day of each such
fiscal quarter, of (a) Adjusted EBITDA for the three (3) consecutive months
immediately prior to the end of each such fiscal quarter to (b) Fixed Charges
for the same three (3) month period of not less than 1.00 to 1. As of the end of
each of the Borrowers' fiscal quarters beginning with the fiscal quarter ending
on March 31, 2000 through

<PAGE>   34
                                       33

and including the fiscal quarter ending on December 31, 2000, the Borrowers
shall maintain a ratio, measured as of the last day of each such fiscal quarter,
of (a) EBITDA for the twelve (12) consecutive months immediately prior to the
end of each such fiscal quarter to (b) Fixed Charges for the same twelve (12)
month period of not less than 1.00 to 1. As of the end of each of the Borrowers'
fiscal quarters beginning with the fiscal quarter ending on March 31, 2001, the
Borrowers shall maintain a ratio, measured as of the last day of each such
fiscal quarter, of (a) EBITDA for the twelve (12) consecutive months immediately
prior to the end of each such fiscal quarter to (b) Fixed Charges for the same
twelve (12) month period of not less than 1.20 to 1.

                  (q) Key Person Life Insurance. Within ninety (90) days of the
Initial Closing and thereafter, maintain with a financially sound and reputable
insurance company, term life insurance on the lives of Richard Burnham, David C.
Gasmire and Bradley J. Velie in the face amounts of at least $1,000,000,
$1,000,000 and $500,000, respectively, the proceeds of which shall be payable to
the order of the Company. The Company will not cause or permit any assignment of
the proceeds of said policy, and will not borrow against such policy. The
Company will add one designee of the holders of at least sixty-six and
two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the Preferred Stock as a notice party of each
such policy, and will request that the issuer of each such policy provide such
designee with ten (10) days' notice before such policy is terminated (for
failure to pay premium or otherwise) or assigned, or before any change is made
in the designation of the beneficiary thereof.

         7.02. Negative Covenants of the Borrowers. Without limiting any other
covenants and provisions hereof, each Borrower jointly and severally covenants
and agrees that, as long as any of the Securities are outstanding (except that
(1) the provisions of Sections 7.02(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (k) and
(1) shall terminate upon repayment in full of the aggregate outstanding
principal balance of the Notes together with all interest and premium, if any,
due thereon, and (2) the remainder of the provisions of this Article shall
terminate upon the later to occur of (1) above and a Qualified IPO), it will
comply with and observe the following covenants and provisions, and will cause
each Subsidiary to comply with and observe such of the following covenants and
provisions as are applicable to such Subsidiary, and will not:

                  (a) Liens. Without the prior written consent of the
Purchasers, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist, or permit any Subsidiary
to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist, any mortgage, deed of trust,
pledge, lien, security interest or other charge or encumbrance (including the
lien or retained security title of a conditional vendor) of any nature, upon or
with respect to any of its properties, now owned or hereafter acquired, or
assign or otherwise convey any right to receive income, except that the
foregoing restrictions shall not apply to mortgages, deeds of trust, pledges,
liens, security interests or other charges or encumbrances (collectively,
"Permitted Liens"):

                           (i) for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or
                  levies on property of any Borrower or any Subsidiary if the
                  same shall not at the time be delinquent or thereafter can be
                  paid without penalty, or are being contested in good faith and
                  by appropriate proceedings;

                           (ii) imposed by law, such as carriers',
                  warehousemen's and mechanics' liens and other similar liens
                  arising in the ordinary course of business;

<PAGE>   35
                                       34

                           (iii) arising out of pledges or deposits under
                  workmen's compensation laws, unemployment insurance, old age
                  pensions, or other social security or retirement benefits, or
                  similar legislation;

                           (iv) securing the performance of bids, tenders,
                  contracts (other than for the repayment of borrowed money),
                  statutory obligations and surety bonds;

                           (v) in the nature of zoning restrictions, easements
                  and rights or restrictions of record on the use of real
                  property which do not materially detract from its value or
                  impair its use;

                           (vi) arising by operation of law in favor of the
                  owner or sublessor of leased premises and confined to the
                  property rented;

                           (vii) arising from any litigation or proceeding which
                  is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings,
                  provided, however, that no execution or levy has been made;

                           (viii) described on Exhibit 6.07 which secure the
                  Indebtedness set forth on Exhibit 6.08B; provided that no such
                  lien is extended to cover other or different property of the
                  relevant Borrower(s) or Subsidiary(ies); and

                           (ix) liens which secure Indebtedness permitted by
                  Section 7.02(b).

                  (b) Indebtedness. Without the prior written consent of the
Purchasers, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist, or permit any Subsidiary
to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist, any liability with respect to
Indebtedness for Money Borrowed other than (1) up to $12 million in Senior Debt
and (2) the Notes provided that the incurrence and maintenance of all such
Indebtedness does not result in any Borrower's or any Subsidiary's failure to
comply with any of the provisions of Article VII hereof.

                  (c) Lease Obligations. Become obligated to pay rent under any
leases or other rental arrangements including Capital Leases under which the
amount of the aggregate lease or other payments under all such agreements or
arrangements exceeds $2,000,000 on a consolidated basis for any twelve-month
period.

                  (d) Assumptions or Guaranties of Indebtedness of Other
Persons. Assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise become directly or contingently
liable on, or permit any Subsidiary to assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise
become directly or contingently liable on (including, without limitation,
liability by way of agreement, contingent or otherwise, to purchase, to provide
funds for payment, to supply funds to or otherwise invest in the debtor or
otherwise to assure the creditor against loss) any indebtedness of any other
Person, except (i) for guarantees by endorsement of negotiable instruments for
deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business and (ii) Indebtedness
of Borrowers or Subsidiaries.

                  (e) Mergers, Sale of Assets, Etc. Without the prior written
consent of the purchasers, merge or consolidate with any Person, or sell,
assign, lease or otherwise dispose of or voluntarily part with the control of
(whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) any

<PAGE>   36
                                       35

of its assets (whether now owned or hereinafter acquired) or permit any
Subsidiary to do so, except that (1) any Subsidiary may merge into or
consolidate with or transfer assets to any other Subsidiary, (2) any Subsidiary
may merge into or transfer assets to the Company and (3) any Borrower or any
Subsidiary may sell, assign, lease or otherwise dispose of (i) inventory in the
ordinary course of business, (ii) equipment that is no longer used or useful in
any Borrowers' or any Subsidiaries' business or that is physically obsolete,
provided that any proceeds thereof exceeding $100,000 in the aggregate are used
first to reduce outstanding Senior Debt and then to reduce other outstanding
Indebtedness, (iii) sales of equipment the proceeds of which are applied within
thirty (30) days of such sale to the purchase of replacement equipment with like
value and function and (iv) other sales of assets in any given year which have a
fair market value of less than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) in the
aggregate provided that the proceeds from such dispositions are applied first to
reduce outstanding Senior Debt and then to reduce other outstanding
Indebtedness.

                  (f) Investments in Other Persons. Without the prior written
consent of the Purchasers, make or permit any Subsidiary to make, any loan or
advance to any Person, or purchase, otherwise acquire, or permit any Subsidiary
to purchase or otherwise acquire, any capital stock, assets or other property
of, obligations of, or any interest in, any Person, except:

                           (i) investments by any Borrower or any Subsidiary in
                  evidences of indebtedness issued or fully guaranteed by the
                  United States of America and having a maturity of not more
                  than one year from the date of acquisition;

                           (ii) investments by any Borrower or any Subsidiary in
                  certificates of deposit, notes, acceptances and repurchase
                  agreements having a maturity of not more than one year from
                  the date of acquisition issued by a bank organized in the
                  United States having capital, surplus and undivided profits of
                  at least $100,000,000 and whose parent holding company has
                  long-term debt rated Aa1 or higher, and whose commercial paper
                  (if rated) is rated Prime 1 by Moody's Investors Service,
                  Inc.;

                           (iii) investments by any Borrower or any Subsidiary
                  in corporate obligations rated Aa1 or higher by Moody's
                  Investors Services, Inc. or repurchase agreements
                  collateralized by such corporate obligations;

                           (iv) loans or advances from a Subsidiary to the
                  Company or from the Company to a Subsidiary;

                           (v) investments by any Borrower or any Subsidiary in
                  the highest-rated commercial paper having a maturity of not
                  more than one year from the date of acquisition;

                           (vi) advances to employees for travel or relocation
                  in accordance with the ordinary course of business; and

                           (vii) acquisitions or assets, capital stock or other
                  property which individually and in the aggregate are not
                  material to the Borrower or the Subsidiary (assets, capital
                  stock and other property with a fair market value of less

<PAGE>   37
                                       36

                  than $5,000,000 acquired in any one-year period in the
                  aggregate shall not be deemed "material"); provided, however,
                  that each such acquisition can be made in compliance with the
                  other terms of this Agreement, including, without limitation,
                  Section 7.02(1).

                  (g) Distributions. Without the prior written consent of the
Purchasers, declare or pay any dividends, purchase, redeem, retire, or otherwise
acquire for value any of its capital stock (or rights, options or warrants to
purchase such shares) now or hereafter outstanding, return any capital to its
stockholders as such, or make any distribution of assets to its stockholders as
such, or permit any Subsidiary to do any of the foregoing (such transactions
being hereinafter referred to as "Distributions"); provided, however, that
nothing herein contained shall prevent:

                           (i) the Company from effecting a stock split or
                  declaring or paying any dividend consisting of shares of any
                  class of Common Stock to the holders of shares of such class
                  of Common Stock, provided that such stock split or dividend is
                  effected equally across all classes of Common Stock, or

                           (ii) the Company from repurchasing or redeeming any
                  Securities in accordance with the terms of Article III hereof;
                  or

                           (iii) any Subsidiary from declaring or making payment
                  of cash and stock dividends, returns of capital or
                  distributions of assets to the Company; or

                           (iv) the Company from issuing Common Stock upon
                  conversion of the Preferred Stock into Common Stock in
                  accordance with the Company's Certificate of Incorporation as
                  in effect on the date hereof;

if in the case of any such transaction the Distribution can be made in
compliance with the other terms of this Agreement.

                  (h) Dealings with Affiliates. Without the prior written
consent of the Purchasers, enter or permit any Subsidiary to enter into any
transaction with any holder of five percent (5%) or more of any class of capital
stock of the Company, or any member of their families or any corporation or
other entity in which any one or more of such stockholders or members of their
immediate families directly or indirectly holds five percent (5%) or more of any
class of capital stock; provided, however, that this Section 7.02(h) shall not
apply (i) to any transaction which is governed by Section 7.02(m) or (ii) to any
transaction between one or more Borrowers or Subsidiaries.

                  (i) Maintenance of Ownership of Subsidiaries. Sell or
otherwise dispose of any shares of capital stock of any Subsidiary, except to
the Company or another Subsidiary, or permit any Subsidiary to issue, sell or
otherwise dispose of any shares of its capital stock or the capital stock of any
Subsidiary, except to the Company or another Subsidiary, provided, however, that
nothing herein contained shall prevent any merger, consolidation or transfer of
assets permitted by subsection 7.02(e).

<PAGE>   38
                                       37

                  (j) Change in Nature of Business. Without the prior written
consent of the purchasers, make, or permit any Subsidiary to make, any change in
the nature of its business as carried on at the date hereof and any business
similar or ancillary thereto.

                  (k) No Amendment or Waiver of Charter Documents. Amend, alter,
repeal or terminate its Certificate of Incorporation (or comparable charter
documents) without the prior written consent of the Purchasers.

                  (l) Capital Expenditures. Make, or permit any Subsidiary to
make, any Capital Expenditure (excluding expenditures for the acquisition of
hospice businesses) during any fiscal year of the Company which exceeds
$2,000,000 in the aggregate on a consolidated basis.

                  (m) Compensation. Pay, directly or indirectly, as salary,
bonuses, fringe benefits, expenses, stock option grants, drawing accounts or
otherwise any compensation to any executive officer (or any relative of any
executive officer) of the Company or any Subsidiary not approved by the
Compensation Committee of the board of directors of the Company other than as
specifically contemplated by this Agreement and other than such written
compensation arrangements as are in place as of the Initial Closing Date.

                  (n) Preferred Stock. Without the prior written consent of the
Purchasers, issue any shares of, or rights to acquire any shares of Preferred
Stock as authorized by the Company's Certificate of Incorporation as in effect
on the date hereof (except the 7,091,091 shares of Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock, the 6,400,000 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock
and the 2,857,143 shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock issued and
outstanding on the date hereof or the 119,993 shares of Series B Convertible
Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of the Preferred Warrants).

                  (o) Additional Subsidiaries. Acquire assets, capital stock or
other property or obligations of, or interest in, any Person, whether by way of
stock or asset purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, where after giving
effect to such acquisition such Person shall constitute a Subsidiary, or
otherwise form or create any Subsidiary, unless in each case such Subsidiary (i)
executes an Instrument of Accession in the form attached hereto as Exhibit
7.02(o) pursuant to which the Subsidiary agrees to become a "Borrower" subject
to and bound by the representations and warranties, covenants and other terms
and conditions applicable to a Borrower under this Agreement, the Notes and the
Rockefeller Letter and (ii) executes and delivers to the Purchaser a counterpart
signature page to each of this Agreement, the Notes and the Rockefeller Letter
evidencing its joinder to such agreements and instruments as a Borrower
thereunder. Exhibit A shall be amended from time to time to reflect the addition
of any new Borrowers pursuant to this Section 7.02(o).

         7.03. Reporting Requirements. The Borrowers will furnish to each holder
of any Note, any Warrant or any Warrant Shares:

                  (a) as soon as possible and in any event within five (5) days
after knowledge of the occurrence of each Event of Default or each event which,
with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of
Default, the statement of the chief financial

<PAGE>   39
                                       38

officer or principal accounting officer of the Company setting forth details of
such Event of Default or event and the action which the Borrowers propose to
take with respect thereto;

                  (b) as soon as available and in any event within thirty (30)
days after the end of each month, consolidated and consolidating balance sheets
of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such month and consolidated
and consolidating statements of income and of cash flows of the Company and its
Subsidiaries for such month and for the periods commencing at the end of the
previous fiscal year and ending with the end of such month, setting forth in
each case in comparative form the corresponding figures for the corresponding
period of the preceding fiscal year (except that the Company will not be
required to commence providing such comparative financial data for the
corresponding period of the preceding fiscal year until January 31, 1999) and
the Budget for the current year, all in reasonable detail, in a format
reasonably factory to the Purchasers, and duly certified (subject to normal
year-end adjustments) by the chief financial officer or principal accounting
officer of the Company as having been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except
for the absence of footnotes) and including a discussion by the Company's
management of any material variance from the Budget for such fiscal year;

                  (c) as soon as available and in any event within one hundred
five (105) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, a copy of the
annual audit report for such year for the company and its Subsidiaries,
including therein consolidated and consolidating balance sheets of the Company
and its Subsidiaries (or its operating divisions) as of the end of such fiscal
year and consolidated and consolidating statements of income and retained
earnings and of cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal
year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the corresponding figures
for the preceding fiscal year, all duly certified by independent public
accountants of recognized national standing acceptable to the Purchasers;

                  (d) prior to the end of each fiscal year of the Company, (x)
an operating budget (the "Budget") of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the
next fiscal year in the form customarily prepared by management for internal
use, which Budget shall be reasonably satisfactory in form to the Purchasers but
which shall in any case include a detailed consolidated balance sheet and
detailed consolidated monthly statements of income and cash flows;

                  (e) at the time of delivery of each monthly and annual
statement, a certificate, executed by the chief financial officer or principal
accounting officer of the Company, stating that such officer has caused this
Agreement, the Stockholders Agreement, the Notes, the terms of the Preferred
Stock, the Warrants and the Preferred Warrants to be reviewed and has no
knowledge of any default by any Borrower or any Subsidiary in the performance or
observance of any of the provisions of this Agreement, the Notes or the Warrants
or, if such officer has such knowledge, specifying such default and the nature
thereof, and setting forth computations in reasonable detail demonstrating
compliance with the provisions of subsections 7.01(n), (o) and (p) and
subsections 7.02(b), (c) and (d).

                  (f) at the time of delivery of each annual statement, a
certificate executed by the Company's independent public accountants, setting
forth computations in reasonable detail demonstrating compliance with the
provisions of subsections 7.01(n), (o) and (p) and subsections 7.02(b), (c) and
(d);

<PAGE>   40
                                       39

                  (g) promptly upon receipt thereof, any written report
submitted to any Borrower or any Subsidiary by independent public accountants in
connection with an annual or interim audit of the books of the Company, the
Borrowers and the Subsidiaries made by such accountants;

                  (h) promptly after the commencement thereof, notice of all
actions, suits and Proceedings before any court or governmental department,
commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign,
affecting any Borrower or any Subsidiary of the type described in Section 6.04;

                  (i) promptly after sending, making available, or filing the
same, such reports and financial statements as the Company or any Subsidiary
shall send or make available to the stockholders of the Company or the
Commission; and

                  (j) such other information respecting the business, assets,
liabilities, financial condition, results of operations or prospects of
Borrowers or any of the Subsidiaries as the Purchasers may from time to time
reasonably request, and to make available to the Purchasers and their
representatives, members of management and employees with significant
responsibilities (such as department heads) for the purposes of updating the
Purchasers as to the condition of the Borrowers and the Subsidiaries.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                EVENTS OF DEFAULT

         8.01. Events of Default. If any of the following events ("Events of
Default") shall occur and be continuing:

                  (a) The Borrowers shall fail to pay any installment of
principal of any of the Notes when due; or

                  (b) The Borrowers shall fail to pay any interest or premium,
if any, on any of the Notes when due and such failure shall continue for five
(5) Business Days; or

                  (c) The Company shall default in the performance of any
covenant contained in subsections 7.01(n), (o) or (p) or shall default in the
performance of any covenant contained in Section 7.02 for ten (10) days; or

                  (d) Any representation or warranty made by any Borrower in
this Agreement or by any Borrower (or any of its officers) in any certificate,
instrument or written statement contemplated by or made or delivered pursuant to
or in connection with this Agreement, shall prove to have been incorrect when
made in any material respect; or

                  (e) Any Borrower or any Subsidiary shall fail to perform or
observe any other term, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement, the
Notes or the Warrants on its part to be performed or observed and any such
failure remains unremedied for ten (10) days after written notice thereof shall
have been given to the Company by any registered holder of the Notes; or

<PAGE>   41
                                       40

                  (f) Any Borrower or any Subsidiary shall fail to pay any
Indebtedness for Money Borrowed exceeding $100,000 owing by such Borrower or
such Subsidiary (as the case may be), or any interest or premium thereon, when
due (or, if permitted by the terms of the relevant document, within any
applicable grace period), whether such Indebtedness for Money Borrowed shall
become due by scheduled maturity, by required prepayment, by acceleration, by
demand or otherwise, or shall fail to perform any term, covenant or agreement on
its part to be performed under any agreement or instrument evidencing or
securing or relating to any such Indebtedness for Money Borrowed owing by any
Borrower or any Subsidiary, as the case may be, when required to be performed
(or, if permitted by the terms of the relevant document, within any applicable
grace period), if the effect of such failure to pay or perform is to accelerate,
or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness for Money Borrowed, or
the trustee or trustees under any such agreement or instrument to accelerate the
maturity of such Indebtedness for Money Borrowed, unless such failure to pay or
perform shall be waived by the holder or holders of such Indebtedness for Money
Borrowed or such trustee or trustees; or

                  (g) Any Borrower or any Subsidiary shall be involved in
financial difficulties evidenced (i) by its admitting in writing its inability
to pay its debts generally as they become due; (ii) by its commencement of a
voluntary case under Title 11 of the United States Code as from time to time in
effect, or by its authorizing, by appropriate proceedings of its board of
directors or other governing body, the commencement of such a voluntary case;
(iii) by its filing an answer or other pleading admitting or failing to deny the
material allegations of a petition filed against it commencing an involuntary
case under said Title 11, or seeking, consenting to or acquiescing in the relief
therein provided, or by its failing to controvert timely the material
allegations of any such petition; (iv) by the entry of an order for relief in
any involuntary case commenced under said Title 11; (v) by its seeking relief as
a debtor under any applicable law, other than said Title 11, of any jurisdiction
relating to the liquidation or reorganization of debtors or to the modification
or alteration of the rights of creditors, or by its consenting to or acquiescing
in such relief; (vi) by the entry of an order by a court of competent
jurisdiction (a) finding it to be bankrupt or insolvent, (b) ordering or
approving its liquidation, reorganization or any modification or alteration of
the rights of its creditors, or (c) assuming custody of, or appointing a
receiver or other custodian for, all or a substantial part of its property; or
(vii) by its making an assignment for the benefit of, or entering into a
composition with, its creditors, or appointing or consenting to the appointment
of a receiver or other custodian for all or a substantial part of its property;
or

                  (h) A Change in Control occurs, which Change in Control is not
consented to specifically with reference to this Section 8.01(h) by the
Purchasers; or

                  (i) Any judgment, writ, warrant of attachment or execution or
similar process shall be issued or levied against a substantial part of the
property of any Borrower or any Subsidiary and such judgment, writ, or similar
process shall not be released, vacated or fully bonded within sixty (60) days
after its issue or levy;

                  then, and in any such event,

                           (1) the Purchasers may, by notice to the Company,
                  declare the entire unpaid principal amount of the Notes, all
                  interest accrued and unpaid thereon and

<PAGE>   42
                                       41

                  all other amounts payable under this Agreement to be forthwith
                  due and payable, whereupon the Notes, all such accrued
                  interest and all such amounts shall become and be forthwith
                  due and payable (unless there shall have occurred an Event of
                  Default under subsection 8.01 (g) in which case all such
                  amounts shall automatically become due and payable), without
                  presentment, demand, protest or further notice of any kind,
                  all of which are hereby expressly waived by each Borrower, and

                           (2) the Purchasers may proceed to protect and enforce
                  its rights by suit in equity (including without limitation a
                  suit for rescission), action at law and/or other appropriate
                  proceeding either for specific performance of any covenant,
                  provision or condition contained or incorporated by reference
                  in this Agreement or any term of the Certificate of
                  Incorporation (or other comparable charter document) of any
                  Borrower, or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in
                  this Agreement or in the Certificate of Incorporation (or
                  other comparable charter document) of any Borrower.

                  Without in any way limiting the rights of the holders of the
Notes, the Company hereby agrees that the holders of the Warrants or the Warrant
Shares would have no adequate remedy at law, for monetary compensation or
otherwise, for the damages that would be suffered if the Company were to fail to
comply with its obligations under Article III hereof, and that the Company
therefore agrees that the holders of the Warrants and the Warrant Shares shall
be entitled to obtain specific performance of the Company's obligations under
Article III of this Agreement. Nothing in this Section 8.01 shall be construed
as to grant any Purchaser the right to exercise any of its put rights under
Section 3.03 hereof prior to the time periods set forth in Section 3.03.

         8.02. Annulment of Defaults. Section 8.01 is subject to the condition
that, if at any time after the principal of any of the Notes shall have become
due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the moneys
so due, or any thereof, shall have been entered, then and in every such case the
holders of sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) or more in principal
amount of all Notes then outstanding may, by written instrument filed with the
Company, rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences; but no such
rescission or annulment shall extend to or affect any subsequent default or
Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         9.01. No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No failure or delay on the part
of any Purchaser, or any other holder of the Notes, Warrants or Warrant Shares
in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver
thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or
remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any
other right, power or remedy hereunder. The remedies herein provided are
cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.

<PAGE>   43
                                       42

         9.02. Amendments, Waivers and Consents. Any provision in this
Agreement, the Notes, the Warrants or the other Operative Documents to the
contrary notwithstanding, changes in or additions to this Agreement may be made,
and compliance with any covenant or provision herein set forth may be omitted or
waived, if the Borrowers (i) shall, in the case of the Notes, obtain consent
thereto in writing from the holder or holders of at least sixty-six and
two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) in principal amount of all Notes then outstanding,
and (ii) shall, in the case of the Warrants or Warrant Shares, obtain consent
thereto in writing from the holder or holders of at least sixty-six and
two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the Common Stock issued and issuable upon
exercise of the Warrants, and (iii) shall, in each case, deliver copies of such
consent in writing to all other holders of Notes and/or Warrants; provided that
no such consent shall be effective to reduce or to postpone the date fixed for
the payment of the principal (including any required redemption) or interest
payable on any Note without the consent of the holder thereof, or to alter or
amend the consent mechanism provided for under this Section 9.02. Any waiver or
consent may be given subject to satisfaction of conditions stated therein and
any waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for
the specific purpose for which given. Written notice of any waiver or consent
effected under this subsection shall promptly be delivered by the Company to any
holders who did not execute the same.

         9.03. Addresses for Notices, Etc. All notices, requests, demands and
other communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing and mailed (by
first class registered or certified mail, postage prepaid), telegraphed, sent by
express overnight courier service or electronic facsimile transmission with a
copy by mail, or delivered to the applicable party at the addresses indicated
below:

         If to the Company or the Borrowers:

                  Odyssey HealthCare, Inc.
                  717 North Harwood, Suite 2580
                  Dallas, Texas 75201
                  Attention: President
                  Telecopy No.: (217) 922-9752

         With a copy to:

                  Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
                  3700 Trammell Crow Center
                  2001 Ross Avenue
                  Dallas, Texas 75201
                  Attention: Michael L. Malone, Esq.
                  Telecopy No.: (214) 220-7716

         If to CRL III:

                  Capital Resource Lenders III, L.P.
                  c/o Capital Resource Partners
                  85 Merrimac Street, Suite 200
                  Boston, Massachusetts 02114
                  Attention: Alexander S. McGrath
                  Telecopy No.: (617) 723-9819

<PAGE>   44
                                       43

         With a copy to:

                  Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP
                  High Street Tower
                  125 High Street
                  Boston, Massachusetts 02110
                  Attention: Andrew E. Taylor, Jr., Esq.
                  Telecopy No.: (617) 248-7100

         If to CRP Investment:

                  CRP Investment Partners III, L.P.
                  c/o Capital Resource Partners
                  85 Merrimac Street
                  Suite 200
                  Boston, Massachusetts 02114
                  Attention: Alexander S. McGrath
                  Telecopy No.: (617) 723-9819

         With a copy to:

                  Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP
                  High Street Tower
                  125 High Street
                  Boston, Massachusetts 02110
                  Attention: Andrew E. Taylor, Jr., Esq.
                  Telecopy No.: (617) 248-7100

         If to any other holder of the Notes or Warrants:

                  at such holder's address for notice
                  as set forth in the transfer records
                  of the Company

or, as to each of the foregoing, at such other address as shall be designated by
such Person in a written notice to the other party complying as to delivery with
the terms of this Section. All such notices, requests, demands and other
communications shall, when mailed, telegraphed or sent, respectively, be
effective (i) three (3) days after being deposited in the mails or (ii) one day
after being delivered to the telegraph company, deposited with the express
overnight courier service or sent by electronic facsimile transmission (with
receipt confirmed), respectively, addressed as aforesaid.

         9.04. Costs. Expenses and Taxes. The Company agrees to pay on demand
all out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Purchasers in connection with the
preparation, execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Notes, the Warrants,
the other Operative Documents and other

<PAGE>   45
                                       44

instruments and documents to be delivered hereunder, and in connection with the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, as well as all
costs and expenses of the Purchasers in connection with the amendment, waiver
(whether or not such amendment or waiver becomes effective) or enforcement of
this Agreement, the Notes, the Warrants, the other Operative Documents, and
other instruments and documents to be delivered hereunder and thereunder,
including, without limitation, all reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of
Messrs. Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, special counsel to the Purchasers, in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including any
amendment, waiver (whether or not such amendment or waiver becomes effective) or
enforcement of this Agreement, the Notes, the Warrants, the Operative Documents,
and other instruments and documents to be delivered hereunder and thereunder,
including without limitation, in connection with the Initial Closing and the
Takedown Closing. In addition, the Company agrees to pay any and all stamp and
other taxes payable or determined to be payable in connection with the execution
and delivery of this Agreement, the Notes, the Warrants, the other Operative
Documents, and the other instruments and documents to be delivered hereunder or
thereunder, including without limitation, in connection with the Initial Closing
and the Takedown Closing, and the Company agrees to save the Purchasers harmless
from and against any and all liabilities with respect to or resulting from any
delay in paying or omission to pay such taxes and filing fees.

         9.05. Binding Effect Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of each Borrower and each of the Purchasers and their
respective successors and assigns, except that no Borrower shall have the right
to assign its rights hereunder or any interest therein without the prior written
consent of the Purchasers. Except as expressly set forth herein, nothing in this
Agreement shall confer any claim, right, interest or remedy on any third party
or inure to the benefit of any third party.

         9.06. Payments in Respect of Notes. The Purchasers and any successor
holder of the Notes, by their acceptance thereof, agree that, with respect to
all sums received by them applicable to the payment of principal of or interest
on the Notes, equitable adjustment will be made among them so that, in effect,
all such sums shall be shared ratably by all of the holders of the Notes whether
received by voluntary payment, by realization upon security, by the exercise of
the right of setoff, by counterclaim or cross-action or by the enforcement of
any or all of the Notes. If any holder of the Notes receives any payment on its
Notes in excess of its pro rata portion, then such holder receiving such excess
payment shall purchase for cash from the other holders an interest in their
Notes in such amounts as shall result in a ratable participation by all of the
holders in the aggregate unpaid amount of Notes then outstanding.

         9.07. Payments in Respect of Warrants. The Purchasers and any successor
holder of the Warrants, by their acceptance thereof, agree that, with respect to
the sale to, or repurchase by, the Company or any Person directly or indirectly
affiliated with the Company or any of its directors, officers, or stockholders,
of the Warrants, equitable adjustment will be made among the holders of the
Warrants so that in effect all sums so received shall be shared ratably in
proportion to their respective holdings of Warrants. If any holder of the
Warrants receives any such sum in respect of its Warrants in excess of its pro
rata portion, then such holder receiving such excess shall purchase for cash
from the other holders of the Warrants an interest in their Warrants in such
amount as shall result in a ratable participation of all of the holders in the
aggregate of all Warrants then outstanding.

<PAGE>   46
                                       45

         9.08. Indemnification. Each Borrower jointly and severally agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless each of the Purchasers, its subsidiaries, directors,
officers, partners, counsel and employees (each an "Indemnified Party"), from
and against any and all liability (including, without limitation, reasonable
legal fees incurred in defending against any such liability) under, arising out
of or relating to this Agreement, the Notes, the Warrants and the Warrant
Shares, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or in connection
herewith or therewith, including (to the maximum extent permitted by law) any
liability arising under federal or state securities laws, except to the extent
such liability shall result from any act or omission on the part of an
Indemnified Party. The obligations of the Borrowers under this Section 9.08
shall survive and continue to be in full force and effect notwithstanding (a)
the repayment of the Notes and (b) the termination of this Agreement.

         9.09. Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations
and warranties made in this Agreement, the Notes, the Warrants, the Operative
Documents or any other instrument or document delivered in connection herewith
or therewith, shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof,
regardless of any investigation made by the Purchasers or on behalf of the
Purchasers.

         9.10. Prior Agreements. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
between the parties and supersedes any prior understandings or agreements
concerning the subject matter hereof.

         9.11. Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision
hereof shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision.

         9.12. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed
in accordance with, the internal laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

         9.13. Waiver of Right to Jury Trial. The parties hereby waive all
rights to a trial by jury for all legal proceedings concerning this Agreement,
the Notes or the Warrants.

         9.14. Heading. Article, Section and subsection headings in this
Agreement are included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not
constitute a part of this Agreement for any other purpose.

         9.15. Sealed Instrument. This Agreement is executed as an instrument
under seal.

         9.16. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
instrument, and each of the parties hereto may execute this Agreement by signing
any such counterpart.

         9.17. Further Assurances. From and after the date of this Agreement,
upon the request of the Purchasers, each Borrower and each Subsidiary shall
execute and deliver such instruments, documents and other writings as may be
reasonably necessary or desirable to confirm and carry out and to effectuate
fully the intent and purposes of this Agreement, the Notes and the Warrants.

<PAGE>   47
                                       46

         9.18. Consent to Jurisdiction. Each Borrower irrevocably submits to the
non-exclusive jurisdiction of any state or federal court sitting in The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of
or relating to this Agreement or any of the Notes or the Warrants or Warrant
Shares. To the fullest extent it may effectively do so under applicable law,
each Borrower irrevocably waives and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as
a defense or otherwise, any claim that it is not subject to the jurisdiction of
any such court, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of
the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court and
any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has
been brought in an inconvenient forum.

         9.19. Effect of Judgment. Each Borrower agrees, to the fullest extent
it may effectively do so under applicable law, that a judgment in any suit,
action or proceeding of the nature referred to in Section 9.18 brought in any
such court shall, subject to such rights of appeal on issues other than
jurisdiction as may be available to such Borrower, be conclusive and binding
upon such Borrower and may be enforced in the courts of the United States of
America or The Commonwealth of Massachusetts (or any other courts to the
jurisdiction of which such Borrower is or may be subject) by a suit upon such
judgment.

         9.20. Service of Process. Each Borrower consents to service of process
in any suit, action or proceeding of the nature referred to in Section 9.18 by
actual receipt of a copy thereof by registered or certified mail, postage
prepaid, return receipt requested, to the address of the Borrower specified in
or designated pursuant to Section 9.03. Each Borrower agrees that such service
(i) shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon such
Borrower in any such suit, action or proceeding and (ii) shall, to the fullest
extent permitted by law, be taken and held to be valid personal service upon and
personal delivery to such Borrower.

         9.21. No Limitation. Nothing in Section 9.18, 9.19, 9.20 or 9.22 shall
affect the right of the Purchasers to serve process in the manner permitted by
law, or limit any right that the Purchasers may have to bring proceedings
against any Borrower in the courts of any jurisdiction or to enforce in any
lawful manner a judgment obtained in one jurisdiction in any other jurisdiction.

         9.22. Specific Performance. Upon breach or default by any Borrower with
respect to any obligation hereunder, under the Notes, the Warrants or Warrant
Shares the Purchasers shall be entitled to protect and enforce its rights at
law, or in equity or by other appropriate proceedings for specific performance
of such obligation, or for an injunction against such breach or default or in
aid of the exercise of any power or remedy granted hereby or thereby or by law.

         9.23. Actions by Purchasers. Wherever in this Agreement action is
required or permitted to be taken by, or consent is required of, or a matter
requires the satisfaction of, the Purchasers, unless the context otherwise
requires, such action may be taken by, and/or such consent may be obtained from,
and/or such satisfaction may be expressed by, (i) for as long as any of the
Notes remain outstanding, the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds
percent (66 2/3%) of the principal amount of all Notes then outstanding, or (ii)
if no Notes are then outstanding, the holders of at least sixty-six and
two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the Common Stock issued and issuable upon
exercise of the Warrants then outstanding; provided, however, that with respect
to Section 7.01(n), the holder of the greatest percentage of the principal
amount

<PAGE>   48
                                       47

of all Notes then outstanding shall select any representative of the purchasers
provided for therein.

                  [REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

<PAGE>   49
                                       48

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have hereunto set their hands as
of the date first above written.

                                   ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE, INC.

                                   By:      /s/ Richard R. Burnham
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                   HNT HOSPICE OF NORTH TEXAS

                                   By:      /s/ Richard R. Burnham
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                   ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF BIRMINGHAM, INC.

                                   By:      /s/ Richard R. Burnham
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                   ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF CENTRAL INDIANA, INC.

                                   By:      /s/ Richard R. Burnham
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                   ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF DETROIT

                                   By:      /s/ Richard R. Burnham
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

<PAGE>   50
                                       49

                                   ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF PHOENIX

                                   By:      /s/ Richard R. Burnham
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                   ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF MILWAUKEE, INC.

                                   By:      /s/ Richard R. Burnham
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                   ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF CENTRAL TEXAS

                                   By:      /s/ Richard R. Burnham
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                   ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF MINNEAPOLIS, INC.

                                   By:      /s/ Richard R. Burnham
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                   ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF NEW ORLEANS

                                   By:      /s/ Richard R. Burnham
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

<PAGE>   51
                                       50

                                   ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF LAS VEGAS, INC.

                                   By:      /s/ Richard R. Burnham
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                   ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF PENNSYLVANIA, INC.

                                   By:      /s/ Richard R. Burnham
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                   ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF NORTH TEXAS, INC.

                                   By:      /s/ Richard R. Burnham
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                   ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF HOUSTON, INC.

                                   By:      /s/ Richard R. Burnham
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                   ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF NEW JERSEY, INC.

                                   By:      /s/ Richard R. Burnham
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

<PAGE>   52
                                       51

                                 ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF GEORGIA, INC.

                                 By:   /s/ Richard R. Burnham
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                 ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, INC.

                                 By:   /s/ Richard R. Burnham
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                 CAPITAL RESOURCE LENDERS III, L.P.

                                 By:    Capital Resource Partners III, L.L.C.
                                        Its General Partner

                                 By:   /s/ Alexander S. McGrath
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                 CRP INVESTMENT PARTNERS III, L.L.C.

                                 By:   /s/ Alexander S. McGrath
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

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