UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549
                                      FORM 10-K

        (Mark One)
          X    ANNUAL  REPORT  PURSUANT  TO  SECTION  13   OR  15(d)  OF  THE
               SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

        For the fiscal year ended            DECEMBER 31, 1994           
                                 ----------------------------------
                                          OR

        _____   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE      
                SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

        For the transition period from __________________ to ________________

        Commission file number                   1-11353                     
                              -----------------------------------------------

                       NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES HOLDINGS  INC.            
        ------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                  DELAWARE                              13-3757370           
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        (State or other jurisdiction of             (I.R.S. Employer          
        incorporation or organization)              Identification No.)

        4225 Executive Square, Suite 805, La Jolla, California     92037      
        ------------------------------------------------------------------
        (Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip Code)

                                     619-657-9382                            
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                 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
             Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

            Title of each class          Name of exchange on which registered   
        -----------------------------    ------------------------------------
        Common Stock, $0.01 par value         New York Stock Exchange

             Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

        Indicate  by check  mark  whether the  registrant  (1) has  filed  all
        reports required to be filed by  Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
        Exchange  Act of  1934 during  the preceding  12 months  (or  for such
        shorter  period that the registrant was required to file such reports)
        and (2) has  been subject to such filing requirements  for the past 90
        days.  Yes  X  No   

        Indicate  by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to
        Item 405  of Regulation S-K is  not contained herein, and  will not be
        contained, to  the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy
        or information  statements incorporated  by reference  in Part  III of
        this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  X 

        State  the  aggregate  market  value  of  the  voting  stock  held  by
        non-affiliates of the registrant,  by reference to the price  at which
        the stock was sold as  of a specified date within 60 days prior to the
        date of filing:  $904,251,320 at February 21, 1995.

        Indicate  the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's
        classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: 84,766,109
        shares at February 21, 1995, of which 20,176,729 shares are held by an
        indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Mafco Holdings Inc.


                                        PART I

          Item 1.   DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

               National Health Laboratories  Holdings Inc. ("NHL  Holdings"
          and  together   with  its   subsidiaries,   the  "Company")   was
          incorporated in Delaware  in 1994 in connection  with a corporate
          reorganization approved  by the  stockholders of National  Health
          Laboratories  Incorporated ("NHLI") on June 7, 1994.  As a result
          of  the  reorganization,  NHL  Holdings  now  owns,  through  NHL
          Intermediate  Holdings  Corp. I,  a  Delaware  corporation and  a
          wholly owned  subsidiary of NHL Holdings  ("Intermediate Holdings
          I"),  and   NHL  Intermediate  Holdings  Corp.   II,  a  Delaware
          corporation  and  a  wholly  owned   subsidiary  of  Intermediate
          Holdings I  ("Intermediate Holdings II"), all  of the outstanding
          common  stock of  the NHLI.   The  Company's principal  executive
          offices  are  located at  4225  Executive Square,  Suite  805, La
          Jolla,  California  92037,  and  its telephone  number  is  (619)
          657-9382.

               Until the initial public offering of approximately 5% of the
          Company's  common stock in July 1988, the Company was an indirect
          wholly owned subsidiary of  Revlon Holdings Inc. ("Revlon"), then
          known  as Revlon,  Inc., which,  in turn,  is an  indirect wholly
          owned subsidiary of Mafco  Holdings Inc. ("Mafco"), a corporation
          that  is 100%  owned  by  Ronald  O.  Perelman.    Following  the
          completion  of  successive  secondary  public  offerings  of  the
          Company's  common stock, a self  tender offer by  the Company and
          the purchase by the  Company of outstanding shares of  its common
          stock,  Mafco's   indirect   ownership  has   been   reduced   to
          approximately 24%.

               On  June  23, 1994,  the  Company  acquired Allied  Clinical
          Laboratories,  Inc.     ("Allied"),   then   the  sixth   largest
          independent  clinical  laboratory testing  company in  the United
          States (in terms of  net revenues), as a wholly  owned subsidiary
          for approximately $191.5  million in cash plus the  assumption of
          $24.0  million  of Allied  indebtedness  and  the recognition  of
          approximately $5.0 million of Allied net liabilities (the "Allied
          Acquisition").

               The  Company  is  one  of the  leading  clinical  laboratory
          companies  in the United States.   Through a  national network of
          laboratories,  the  Company  offers  a  broad  range  of  testing
          services  used  by  the  medical  profession  in  the  diagnosis,
          monitoring and  treatment of  disease and other  clinical states.
          Office-based  physicians  constitute  approximately  90%  of  the







                                          2


          Company's  clients.   The  remainder  is  comprised primarily  of
          clinics,   nursing   homes,    hospitals   and   other   clinical
          laboratories.

               Since its founding  in 1971,  the Company has  grown into  a
          network of 23 major  laboratories, including a national reference
          laboratory  which performs  esoteric  testing and  tests for  the
          presence of drugs of  abuse, and approximately 950 service  sites
          consisting  of  sales ports,  patient  service  centers and  STAT
          laboratories, serving customers in 45 states.

          Recent Developments

               The Company has entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger
          dated as of December  13, 1994 (the "Merger Agreement")  with HLR
          Holdings   Inc.  ("HLR"),  Roche  Biomedical  Laboratories,  Inc.
          ("RBL"),  and (for  the purposes  set forth  therein) Hoffmann-La
          Roche  Inc.  ("Roche") providing  for,  among  other things,  the
          merger  of RBL with and into the  Company with the Company as the
          surviving  corporation (the  "Merger"),  and pursuant  to  which,
          subject to  certain exceptions, each outstanding  share of common
          stock,  par  value  $0.01 per  share,  of  the  Company, will  be
          converted into (i) 0.72 of a share of common stock of the Company
          and (ii) the right to receive $5.60 in cash, without interest.

               In  addition, all shares of  common stock, no  par value, of
          RBL  issued and  outstanding immediately  prior to  the effective
          time of the  Merger (other  than treasury shares,  which will  be
          canceled)  will be  converted  into, and  become, that  number of
          newly  issued shares  of Company  common stock  as would,  in the
          aggregate and after giving  effect to the Merger and  the Company
          common stock owned by HLR, RBL and their subsidiaries immediately
          after the effective time  of the Merger, equal 49.9% of the total
          number of shares of  Company common stock outstanding immediately
          after the effective
          time  of the  Merger  (after giving  effect  to the  issuance  of
          Company common stock  in respect  of the  Company employee  stock
          options in connection with the Merger).  

               In connection with the Merger, the Company currently intends
          to declare a dividend, payable to holders of record  of shares of
          Company common stock as  of the third  business day prior to  the
          date of the special  meeting of the stockholders to  consider and
          vote on the approval  and adoption of the Merger,  which dividend
          will consist of  0.16308 of  a warrant per  outstanding share  of
          Company  common   stock,   each  such   warrant   (a   "Warrant")
          representing  the right  to  purchase one  newly issued  share of
          Company common stock  for $22.00 (subject to adjustments)  on the
          fifth anniversary of the  issuance of the Warrant.   In addition,



                                          3 
 


          the Merger Agreement provides for the issuance to and purchase by
          Roche, for a purchase price of $51,048,900, of 8,325,000 Warrants
          to  purchase   shares  of   Company  common  stock   (the  "Roche
          Warrants"),  which Warrants will have  the terms described in the
          preceding sentence.

               The   aggregate   cash   consideration    of   approximately
          $474,700,000 to be  paid to  stockholders of the  Company in  the
          Merger  will be financed from three sources:  a cash contribution
          by the Company of  approximately $288,000,000 out of  proceeds of
          borrowings by the Company in an equal amount, a cash contribution
          to be made by HLR in the amount of approximately $135,651,100 and
          the proceeds from the issuance of the Roche Warrants.

               The Company has obtained a commitment for a credit facility,
          which  will include  a  term  loan  facility  of  not  more  than
          $800,000,000  and a  revolving credit  facility of not  more than
          $400,000,000,  to refinance  the Company's  existing indebtedness
          and  to  finance  the   Company's  portion  of  the   total  cash
          consideration  to be paid to  stockholders of the  Company in the
          Merger.  The specific terms and conditions of the credit facility
          are currently under negotiation.

               Restructuring   costs   of  approximately   $84,000,000  are
          expected  to  be recorded  by  the Company  at  the close  of the
          Merger.   These  costs  will reflect  the  write-off of  deferred
          financing  costs  related  to  the  repayment  of  the  Company's
          existing revolving credit facility and term loan facility entered
          into in connection with the Allied Acquisition financing  and the
          creation of reserves  for severance and benefit costs,  costs for
          office  facilities expected  to  be closed,  vacant space  costs,
          systems conversion costs and  other restructuring expenses of the
          Company associated with the Merger. 

          The Clinical Laboratory Industry

               Clinical laboratory tests are used  by physicians, hospitals
          and other  health care providers  to diagnose, monitor  and treat
          diseases  and other  clinical states  through the  examination of
          substances  in  blood  or  tissue samples  and  other  specimens.
          Clinical laboratory  tests are primarily  performed by  hospitals
          in-house, by  physicians in  their offices or  in physician-owned
          laboratories and  by independent  laboratory  companies like  the
          Company.  The Company  views the clinical laboratory industry  as
          highly fragmented and intensively competitive with many local and
          regional  competitors,  including  numerous  physician-owned  and
          hospital-owned laboratories as well  as several large independent
          laboratory companies. 




                                          4 
 


               In  recent  years,  certain  independent  laboratories  have
          engaged in acquisitions of other laboratories and taken advantage
          of opportunities for cost  efficiencies afforded by larger scale,
          automated   testing  operations.     The  Company  believes  that
          acquisition  activity will  continue in  the clinical  laboratory
          business due to legislative initiatives and increasing demand for
          quality  service  and  efficiency  at  lower  prices.    See  "--
          Competition".

          Laboratory Testing Operations and Services

               The Company has 23 major laboratories, and approximately 950
          service sites consisting of  sales ports, patient service centers
          and STAT laboratories.  A "sales port" is a central  office which
          collects  specimens  in  a region  for  shipment  to  one of  the
          Company's laboratories for testing.  Test results can be  printed
          at a  sales port  and conveniently  delivered to  the client.   A
          sales port also is  used as a base for  sales staff.  A  "patient
          service center" generally is a facility maintained by the Company
          to  serve the physicians in a medical professional building.  The
          patient service center collects the specimens as requested by the
          physician.    The specimens  are  sent,  principally through  the
          Company's  in-house  courier system  (and,  to  a lesser  extent,
          through  independent couriers),  to  one of  the Company's  major
          laboratories for testing.  Some of the Company's patient  service
          centers also function as "STAT labs", which are laboratories that
          have the  ability to  perform certain  routine tests  quickly and
          report results to the physician immediately.

               The   Company   processes   approximately  152,000   patient
          specimens  on an average day.  Patient specimens are delivered to
          the Company accompanied  by a  test request form.   These  forms,
          which  are  completed by  the client,  indicate  the tests  to be
          performed and provide the necessary billing information.

               Each  specimen  and  related  request form  is  checked  for
          completeness and then given a unique  identification number.  The
          unique identification  number assigned  to each patient  helps to
          assure  that the results  are attributed to  the correct patient.
          The test request forms are sent to a data entry  terminal where a
          file is  established for each  patient and the  necessary testing
          and  billing information is  entered.   Once this  information is
          entered into the computer system, the tests are performed and the
          results  are  entered  primarily  through computer  interface  or
          manually,  depending upon  the tests  and the  type of  equipment
          involved.  Most  of the Company's  computer testing equipment  is
          directly linked with the Company's computer system.  Most routine
          testing  is completed by early the next morning, and test results
          are   printed   and   prepared  for   distribution   by   service
          representatives  that  day.    Some clients  have  local  printer
          capability  and  have  reports  printed  out  directly  in  their


                                          5 
 


          offices.  Clients  who request that they be called  with a result
          are so notified  in the morning.  It is  Company policy to notify
          the  client  immediately if  at  any time  in  the course  of the
          testing process a life-threatening result is found.

               The following  discussion describes the  different types  of
          tests performed by the Company:

               Routine Clinical Testing.   The vast majority  of the number
          of tests performed by  the Company are considered by  the Company
          to be routine.   The Company performs all  such routine tests  in
          its  own  laboratories.   A routine  test  generally is  a higher
          volume,  simpler test  capable  of being  performed and  reported
          within  24 hours.   The  Company performs  many routine  clinical
          tests  with  sophisticated  and  computerized  laboratory testing
          equipment.  These tests provide information used by physicians in
          determining the existence or absence of disease or abnormalities.
          The Company performs this core group of  routine tests in each of
          its 23 major regional  laboratories for a total  of approximately
          104 million routine tests annually.

               Esoteric Clinical Testing.   Esoteric tests  are specialized
          laboratory tests  performed in cases where  information is needed
          to confirm a diagnosis or when the  physician requires additional
          information  to develop  a  plan  of  therapy for  a  complicated
          medical case.  Esoteric  tests are generally more complex  tests,
          requiring  more  sophisticated  technology  and   more  expensive
          equipment  and materials, as well as a higher degree of technical
          skill  to perform.    The number  of  esoteric tests  continually
          increases as  new  medical discoveries  are  made.   The  Company
          operates   a   state-of-the-art  national   reference  laboratory
          ("National Reference Laboratory") in Nashville, Tennessee.   This
          laboratory provides  a central location for  esoteric testing for
          all of the  Company's major laboratories.   The Company  performs
          approximately 90% of all types of tests considered by the Company
          to be  esoteric  at  this  facility,  representing  approximately
          2,300,000 tests annually.   With the operation of  this facility,
          the  Company reduces both the types and numbers of esoteric tests
          that are referred to outside laboratories to be performed.

               Cytology.    Cytology,  which  involves  both  routine   and
          esoteric anatomical testing, is the examination of  cells under a
          microscope  to  detect  abnormalities  in  composition,  form  or
          structure which are associated with disease.  Cytology is divided
          into two testing services,  Gynecologic and Non-Gynecologic.  The
          Gynecologic  (Papanicolaou  ("Pap")  Smear)  is  the most  common
          cytologic test,  accounting for approximately  99% of all  of the
          Company's testing in  this area.  The additional  cytology tests,
          Non-Gynecologic, are performed on specimens from other body sites



                                          6 
 


          (i.e.,   Sputums,  Breast,  Urine  and  Fine  Needle  Aspirations
          ("FNA's")).    The  Company  performs approximately  4.0  million
          Gynecologic and Non-Gynecologic tests annually.

               Anatomical Testing.   Routine and esoteric  anatomical tests
          require the examination of  a small piece of tissue  which either
          is  cut from  the body surgically  or taken  in a  biopsy.  These
          tissue specimens  are examined by a pathologist both visually and
          microscopically to detect  abnormalities in composition, form  or
          structure  which  are  associated  with  disease.    The  Company
          performs approximately 810,000 anatomical tests annually.

          Contract Management Services

               The  Company provides  management services  in a  variety of
          health  care  settings.    The  Company  generally  provides  the
          laboratory manager  and other  laboratory personnel, as  well as,
          equipment and  testing supplies  to manage  a laboratory  that is
          owned by a hospital, physician or other health care provider.  In
          addition,  the  Company maintains  a  data  processing system  to
          organize and report test results and to provide billing and other
          pertinent  information  related to  the  tests  performed in  the
          managed  laboratory.   Under  the  typical  laboratory management
          agreement,  the  laboratory  manager,  who  is  employed  by  the
          Company, reports to the hospital or clinic administration.  Thus,
          the provider  maintains control of the laboratory.  A pathologist
          designated by  the provider  serves as  medical director  for the
          laboratory.

               An  important advantage the Company offers to its clients is
          the  flexibility of  the  Company's information  systems used  in
          management contract services.   In addition to the ability  to be
          customized  for   a  particular   user's  needs,   the  Company's
          information  systems also  interface  with several  hospital  and
          clinic  systems, giving  the  user more  efficient and  effective
          information flow.

               The Company's  existing management service  contracts expire
          between  1995 and 1998.  However, each contract contains a clause
          that permits  termination prior to the  contract expiration date.
          The  termination terms vary but  they generally fall  into one of
          the  following  categories:   (i)  termination  without cause  by
          either  the  Company or  the  contracted  provider after  written
          notice  (generally 60  to  90 days  prior  to termination);  (ii)
          termination  by  the  contracted   provider  only  if  there  are
          uncorrected  deficiencies in the  Company's performance under the
          contract  after  notice  by  the contracted  provider;  or  (iii)
          termination  by the  contracted provider  if there  is a  loss of
          accreditation held  by any  Company laboratory that  services the



                                          7 
 


          contracted provider, which accreditation is not reinstated within
          30 days  of the  loss,  or upon  30 days'  notice if  there is  a
          decline in the  quality of services provided under  such contract
          which  remains  uncorrected after  a 15  day  period.   While the
          Company believes  that it  will maintain  and renew  its existing
          contracts, there  can  be no  assurance  of such  maintenance  or
          renewal.

               As part of its marketing efforts, and as a way to focus on a
          contract management  client's particular  needs, the Company  has
          developed  several different pricing  formulas for its management
          services agreements.  In  certain cases, profitability may depend
          on  the Company's  ability  to accurately  predict test  volumes,
          patient encounters or the number of admissions in the case  of an
          inpatient facility.

          Quality Assurance

               The  Company considers  the quality  of its  tests to  be of
          critical  importance to its growth and retention of accounts.  It
          has established a comprehensive quality assurance program for all
          of  its laboratories designed to  help assure accurate and timely
          test results.   All  regional laboratories  are certified  by the
          Health Care Financing Administration  ("HCFA") of the  Department
          of  Health and  Human Services ("HHS")  for participation  in the
          Medicare  program  and  licensed under  the  Clinical  Laboratory
          Improvement Act  of 1967, as  amended by the  Clinical Laboratory
          Improvement  Amendments of  1988  (as amended,  "CLIA") and  must
          participate in basic quality assurance programs.  In  addition to
          the  compulsory  external  inspections  and  proficiency programs
          demanded by CLIA, the Company has adopted a substantial number of
          additional quality assurance programs.   See "-- Governmental and
          Industry Regulation".

               Each  regional  laboratory  is equipped  with  sophisticated
          testing equipment which is monitored daily in accordance with the
          Company's  preventive  maintenance program.    In  addition, each
          regional  laboratory is supervised by a medical director who is a
          physician,  assisted by  a technical  director who  meets certain
          regulatory    requirements,   and   is   staffed   with   medical
          professionals.   The  primary role  of such  professionals is  to
          ensure the accuracy of the Company's tests.

               The Company employs  inspectors with  doctorate and  masters
          degrees  in the biological sciences who visit and inspect each of
          the laboratories on an unannounced basis.   Inspections are based
          on CLIA guidelines and  Company policies and, for the  most part,
          occur  on a semi-annual basis.  The Company attempts to have such
          inspections  conducted  in  the   same  manner  as  the  biennial



                                          8 
 


          inspections  conducted by Federal and state government officials.
          Any major deficiencies  which appear  are corrected  immediately,
          and  other  deficiencies  are corrected  promptly,  and typically
          within one month.

               As  part   of  its   commitment  to  quality,   the  Company
          established   a   state-of-the-art  Technology   Center   at  its
          headquarters in  La Jolla,  California.   The  center houses  the
          Company's  Quality Assurance  Group and  enhances its  ability to
          monitor the testing  results of the  individual laboratories.   A
          computerized data-capture  network has been  established allowing
          virtual on-line examination of test results and monitoring of the
          laboratories.

               The  Company also  participates in  a number  of proficiency
          testing  programs which,  generally, entail  submitting pretested
          samples  to a  laboratory to  verify the laboratory  test results
          against  the known  proficiency  test value.   These  proficiency
          programs are  conducted both by  the Company  on its  own and  in
          conjunction  with   groups  such  as  the   College  of  American
          Pathologists ("CAP") and state  and Federal government regulatory
          agencies.  

               The  CAP  is  an  independent  non-governmental organization
          (which has  recently been accredited by HCFA  to inspect clinical
          laboratories  to determine  CLIA  standards)  of board  certified
          pathologists  which  offers  an  accreditation  program  to which
          laboratories can  voluntarily subscribe.   The  CAP accreditation
          program involves  both on-site inspections of  the laboratory and
          participation in  the CAP's  proficiency testing program  for all
          categories in which  the laboratory is accredited by  the CAP.  A
          laboratory's receipt  of accreditation  by the CAP  satisfies the
          Medicare requirement  for  participation in  proficiency  testing
          programs administered by an external source.  See "--Governmental
          and Industry Regulation".

          Sales, Marketing and Client Service

               The  Company  places a  great  deal  of  emphasis on  sales,
          marketing and client  service since  they are and  have been  key
          ingredients in the Company's growth.

               In 1994, the  Company's net new  growth (new accounts  minus
          lost accounts) returned to previous historical levels and was 20%
          higher  than  the rate  experienced  in  1993.   The  traditional
          physician office sales force  continued to have excellent success
          in a  market  which  has  always been  the  Company's  strongest.
          Managed care revenues grew considerably from a fee-for-service as
          well as a capitated rate perspective.  



                                          9 
 


               The  Company believes  that  the shift  toward managed  care
          experienced in 1994 will continue for the foreseeable future.  To
          address  this, the  Company expanded  its dedicated  managed care
          sales force from 20 to 25 while maintaining its traditional sales
          force at approximately 300.  At the end of the year, managed care
          revenues were approximately 8% to  9% of total revenues  covering
          over forty million lives.   During 1994, the Company  signed over
          200   new  contracts  with  various  managed  care  organizations
          including  U.S. Health  Care,  Health Plus,  Humana, MetLife  and
          Prudential.  

               The Company believes that given the increasing complexity of
          the clinical laboratory marketplace,  training of its sales force
          is of paramount importance.  With this goal in mind,  during 1994
          the  Company enhanced  its comprehensive sales  training program.
          This project  involved a complete revision of  the sales training
          material.  Two comprehensive manuals, covering basic sales skills
          and  specialized laboratory sales,  were produced and distributed
          to  the  Company's  sales  representatives.    A  national  sales
          management  training seminar  was  held for  associate and  sales
          managers.   This seminar provided training  classes on management
          skills,  responsibilities, and in-depth technical sales sessions.
          In  addition,  a new  90  day  evaluation follow-up  program  was
          created to  determine  if a  satisfactory level  of training  was
          achieved.

               The volume  of hospital reference  and testing for  drugs of
          abuse  also  increased  in 1994.    Monthly  accession volume  at
          National Reference  Laboratory was up  over 100%  for testing  of
          drugs of abuse  and 30%  for reference laboratory  testing.   New
          accounts  sold in 1994 for these two market segments are expected
          to have annualized revenues of approximately $6 million.

               The Company  has always stressed the  importance of customer
          service  and its  contribution  to growth.    Through its  Client
          Service  Coordinators,  the  Company  continuously  monitors  and
          assesses  service  levels,  maintains  client  relationships  and
          attempts to identify and  respond to client needs.   During 1994,
          the  Company continued  to expand  the  client service  force; at
          year-end,   there   were   approximately   230   Client   Service
          Coordinators.  

          Potential New Markets

               Health  care  reform,  the  shift toward  managed  care  and
          increased  competition  by hospitals  all  had an  impact  on the
          clinical  laboratory  testing  industry  in 1994.    The  Company
          expects these trends to continue and plans to respond by shifting
          additional  sales  staff  to  support  the  managed  care  market



                                          10 
 


          segment.

               The  Company believes  that specialty  sales of  testing and
          related  services  for  use  in renal  dialysis,  nursing  homes,
          clinical  trials,  detection  of  drugs  of  abuse  and  hospital
          reference testing  will also continue to  offer opportunities for
          additional revenue growth in 1995.

               The  Company   views  hospitals   in  general  as   a  major
          competitive  force  in the  marketplace today.    To that  end, a
          hospital  business venture  group has  been formed  whose primary
          goal   is   to   identify  potential   hospital   joint   venture
          arrangements.     These  arrangements  are   likely  to   include
          management  agreements,  hospital laboratory  operations ventures
          and hospital laboratory purchases.  The Company views this market
          as having exceptional future potential for 1995 and beyond.

               The  Allied  Acquisition  has  provided  the   Company  with
          increased geographic coverage in Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Alabama and
          Northern  California.    This  increased  coverage  provides  for
          increased  physician   office   penetration  and   managed   care
          opportunities in these states. 

          Information Systems

               The Company  believes that  the health care  provider's need
          for data will continue  to place high demands on  its information
          systems staff.   During 1994, staffing  levels were increased  to
          help  meet this demand.  Information  systems resources were also
          expanded  during  1994  to  accommodate the  Allied  Acquisition.
          Support  for and  enhancements to  the managed  care  data system
          including Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set ("HEDIS")
          reporting  capability also  required heavy  involvement from  the
          Company's information  systems staff.   Additionally, the Company
          continued to  test and  refine its next  generation comprehensive
          billing  system.    Live  installation  of  this  new  system  is
          currently scheduled for mid-year 1995.  

          Customers

               To  date,  the Company  has  focused  its marketing  efforts
          primarily on  office-based physicians,  whose orders  account for
          approximately  90% of  its net sales.   The remaining  10% of net
          sales is derived from  hospital reference testing, nursing homes,
          clinics,  referrals from  other clinical  laboratories  and other
          clients.  The  largest client  of the Company  accounts for  less
          than 1%  of net sales.  The Company believes that the loss of any
          one  client would  not  have a  material  adverse effect  on  its
          financial condition.   Payment for the Company's services is made



                                          11 
 


          by  the  patients directly,  physicians  who in  turn  bill their
          patients,  or third  party payors,  including public  and private
          parties such as Medicare, Medicaid and Blue Shield.

          Employees

               At  December 31,  1994, the  Company employed  approximately
          14,000  people.   These  include  approximately 10,500  full-time
          employees  and  approximately  3,500  part-time  employees, which
          represents the equivalent of  approximately 11,800 persons  full-
          time.     Of  the   approximately  11,800   full-time  equivalent
          employees,  approximately 325 are  sales personnel, approximately
          10,200    are   laboratory   and   distribution   personnel   and
          approximately  1,275  are   administrative  and  data  processing
          personnel.   The Company has no  collective bargaining agreements
          with  any unions and believes that its overall relations with its
          employees are excellent.

          Governmental and Industry Regulation

               The clinical  laboratory industry is subject  to significant
          governmental regulation at the Federal, state and local levels.

               The  Company's major  laboratories are  certified  under the
          Federal  Medicare program (which  principally serves  patients 65
          and  older), state  Medicaid  programs  (which principally  serve
          indigent  patients) and  CLIA.   Where  applicable, licensure  is
          maintained under the laws of state or local governments that have
          clinical   laboratory  regulation  programs.    In  addition,  in
          facilities  where  radioimmunoassay  testing  is  performed,  the
          facilities  are   licensed  by  the  Federal  Nuclear  Regulatory
          Commission and,  where  applicable, by  state nuclear  regulatory
          agencies.    All  of  the  Company's  23 major  laboratories  are
          accredited  by  the  CAP.    In  addition,  the  Company's   STAT
          laboratories are also certified  or licensed, as necessary, under
          Federal, state or local programs.

               CLIA  extends federal  oversight to  virtually  all clinical
          laboratories by  requiring that laboratories be  certified by the
          government.     Many   clinical  laboratories   must  also   meet
          governmental quality and personnel standards, undergo proficiency
          testing and  be  subject to  biennial  inspection.   Rather  than
          focusing on  location, size or type of  laboratory, this extended
          oversight  is based on the  complexity of the  tests performed by
          the laboratory.

               In 1992,  HHS published regulations implementing  CLIA.  The
          quality  standards and  enforcement procedure  regulations became
          effective in  1992, although  certain personnel,  quality control



                                          12 
 


          and proficiency testing  requirements are currently  being phased
          in  by HHS.  The  quality standards regulations  divide all tests
          into  three categories  (waivered, moderate  complexity  and high
          complexity) and establish varying requirements depending upon the
          complexity of the testing performed.   A laboratory that performs
          high complexity tests must  meet more stringent requirements than
          a laboratory that performs  only moderate complexity tests, while
          those that perform only  one or more of eight  routine "waivered"
          tests may apply for a waiver from most requirements of CLIA.  All
          major and many smaller facilities of the Company are certified by
          CLIA  to perform high complexity testing.   The remaining smaller
          testing sites of  the Company  are certified by  CLIA to  perform
          moderate  complexity testing or have  obtained a waiver from most
          requirements of CLIA. Generally, the HHS regulations require, for
          laboratories  that perform high complexity or moderate complexity
          tests,  the implementation  of systems  that ensure  the accurate
          performance  and reporting  of  test  results,  establishment  of
          quality control systems, proficiency testing by approved agencies
          and biennial inspections.

               The sanction  for failure  to comply with  these regulations
          may  be suspension,  revocation or  limitation of  a laboratory's
          CLIA certificate necessary to conduct business, significant fines
          and criminal penalties.  The  loss of a license, imposition of  a
          fine or future changes in such Federal, state and local  laws and
          regulations  (or  in  the  interpretation  of  current  laws  and
          regulations) could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

               The  Company is  also  subject to  state  regulation.   CLIA
          provides that a  state may adopt more stringent  regulations than
          Federal  law.  For example, state law may require that laboratory
          personnel  meet certain  qualifications, specify  certain quality
          controls,  maintain  certain  records  and   undergo  proficiency
          testing.  For example, certain of the Company's laboratories  are
          subject  to   the  State   of  New  York's   clinical  laboratory
          regulations, which  contain provisions  that  are more  stringent
          than Federal law.

               The  Company is  subject to  licensing and  regulation under
          Federal, state  and  local  laws relating  to  the  handling  and
          disposal of medical specimens, infectious and hazardous waste and
          radioactive  materials as  well as  to the  safety and  health of
          laboratory  employees.   All  of the  Company's laboratories  are
          operated in accordance with applicable Federal and state laws and
          regulations relating to biohazardous  disposal of all  laboratory
          specimens, and the Company  utilizes outside vendors for disposal
          of  such specimens.   Although  the Company  believes that  it is
          currently  in  compliance  in  all material  respects  with  such
          Federal, state and  local laws, failure  to comply could  subject



                                          13 
 


          the  Company to denial of  the right to  conduct business, fines,
          criminal penalties and/or other enforcement actions.

               In addition to its comprehensive regulation of safety in the
          workplace,   the   Federal   Occupational   Safety   and   Health
          Administration  ("OSHA")  has established  extensive requirements
          relating to workplace safety for health care employers, including
          clinical  laboratories, whose  workers may  be exposed  to blood-
          borne  pathogens such as  HIV and the  hepatitis B virus.   These
          regulations, among  other things, require work practice controls,
          protective clothing  and equipment, training,  medical follow-up,
          vaccinations and other measures designed to minimize exposure to,
          and  transmission of,  blood-borne  pathogens.   In addition,  in
          January 1990, OSHA established safety requirements for the use of
          chemicals as reagents and for other purposes.

               Drug testing for public sector employees is regulated by the
          Substance   Abuse  and  Mental   Health  Services  Administration
          ("SAMSHA") (formerly the National Institute on Drug Abuse), which
          has established  detailed performance and  quality standards that
          laboratories  must meet in order  to be approved  to perform drug
          testing   on  employees   of  the  Federal   government,  Federal
          government contractors and certain other entities.  To the extent
          that the Company performs  such testing, it must be  certified as
          meeting  SAMSHA  standards.    The  Company's Herndon,  Virginia;
          Nashville,  Tennessee;  Redmond,  Washington; Reno,  Nevada;  and
          Winston Salem, North Carolina laboratories are SAMSHA certified.

               The use  of controlled substances  in testing  for drugs  of
          abuse   is   regulated   by   the    Federal   Drug   Enforcement
          Administration.

               Regulations of the Department  of Transportation, the Public
          Health Service and the Postal Service apply to the transportation
          of clinical laboratory specimens.

               In  1994,  1993 and  1992, approximately  35%, 41%  and 42%,
          respectively, of  the Company's revenues were  derived from tests
          performed  for beneficiaries of  Medicare and  Medicaid programs.
          Furthermore, the conduct of  the Company's other business depends
          substantially  on  continued   participation  in  these  programs
          because  clients often want a single laboratory to perform all of
          their testing services.  In 1984, Congress established a Medicare
          fee  schedule   for  clinical laboratory  services performed  for
          patients  covered   under  Part   B  of  the   Medicare  program.
          Subsequently, Congress  imposed a national ceiling  on the amount
          that  can  be paid  under the  fee  schedule.   Laboratories must
          accept the scheduled amount as payment in full for tests that are
          subject to  reimbursement under the fee  schedule methodology and



                                          14 
 


          performed on behalf of  Medicare beneficiaries and must  bill the
          program  directly.   In  addition,  state  Medicaid programs  are
          prohibited from paying more than the Medicare fee schedule amount
          for   clinical  laboratory   services   furnished   to   Medicaid
          recipients.    Since  the  1984  establishment  of  Medicare  fee
          schedules,  Congress has  periodically  reduced the  ceilings  on
          Medicare reimbursement to  clinical laboratories from  previously
          authorized  levels.    In 1993,  pursuant  to  provisions  in the
          Omnibus  Budget  and Reconciliation  Act  of  1993 ("OBRA  '93"),
          Congress  reduced,   effective  January  1,  1994,  the  Medicare
          national  limitations from 88% of the 1984 national median to 76%
          of  the   1984  national  median,  which   reductions  are  being
          implemented on a phased-in  basis from 1994 through 1996  (to 84%
          in 1994, 80% in 1995 and 76%  in 1996).  OBRA '93 also eliminated
          the  provision for annual  fee schedule increases  based upon the
          consumer  price index for 1994  and 1995.   Because a significant
          portion  of  the  Company's  costs are  relatively  fixed,  these
          Medicare reimbursement reductions have a direct adverse effect on
          the Company's net  earnings and  cash flows.   Additional  future
          changes  in  Federal,  state  or  local  regulations  (or in  the
          interpretation  of  current  regulations) affecting  governmental
          reimbursement for clinical laboratory  testing or the methods for
          choosing  laboratories eligible  to  perform tests  could have  a
          material adverse effect on the Company.

               On  January 1,  1993,  numerous changes  in the  Physicians'
          Current Procedural  Terminology ("CPT") were published.   The CPT
          is  a coding  system that  is published  by the  American Medical
          Association.   It lists  descriptive terms and  identifying codes
          for  reporting  medical  and  medically related  services.    The
          Medicare  and  Medicaid  programs  require  suppliers,  including
          laboratories,  to use the CPT  codes when they  bill the programs
          for services performed.  HCFA  implemented these CPT changes  for
          Medicare and  Medicaid on August 1,  1993.  The CPT  changes have
          altered  the way the Company bills Medicare and Medicaid for some
          of its  services, thereby reducing the  reimbursement the Company
          receives  from  those programs  for some  of  its services.   For
          example, certain codes for calculations, such as LDL cholesterol,
          were deleted and are  no longer a payable service  under Medicare
          and Medicaid. 

               In November 1994, HCFA proposed changes in the policies used
          to administer Medicare payments  to clinical laboratories for the
          most  frequently performed  automated  blood chemistry  profiles.
          Among  other  things,  the  proposed changes  would  establish  a
          consistent standard  nationwide for the content  of the automated
          chemistry  profiles.   Another  change incorporated  in the  HCFA
          proposal would require laboratories performing  certain automated
          blood chemistry  profiles to obtain and  provide documentation of
          the  medical necessity of tests included in the profiles for each



                                          15 
 


          Medicare  beneficiary.    If  such  a   requirement  were  to  be
          established, all laboratories  would incur significant additional
          costs associated  with compliance.  In  addition, if implemented,
          such  changes   would   increase  the   losses  associated   with
          unreimbursed testing caused by the inability to obtain sufficient
          information from physicians to allow the laboratory to file valid
          claims  with Medicare.   The  HCFA proposals  may be  modified or
          replaced  with other  proposals  and no  prediction  can be  made
          regarding what proposals, if any, will ultimately be adopted.

               In November 1990, the  Company became aware of a  grand jury
          inquiry  relating to its pricing practices being conducted by the
          United  States  Attorney for  the  San Diego  area  (the Southern
          District  of California)  with the  assistance of  the Office  of
          Inspector  General (the "OIG") of HHS.  On December 18, 1992, the
          Company  announced  that  it  had entered  into  agreements  that
          concluded the investigation (the  "Government Settlement").   The
          settlement  revolved around the  government's contention that the
          Company  improperly included  its tests  for HDL  cholesterol and
          serum ferritin  (a measure  of iron in  the blood)  in its  basic
          Health Survey  Profile, without  clearly offering  an alternative
          profile that did not include these medical tests.  The government
          also contended  that, in certain instances,  physicians were told
          that these  additional  tests would  be  included in  the  Health
          Survey Profile  at no extra charge.   As a result, the government
          contended, the  Company's marketing activities  denied physicians
          the  ability  to  exercise  their  judgment  as  to  the  medical
          necessity of these tests.

               Pursuant to the  Government Settlement, the Company  pleaded
          guilty  to the  charge  of presenting  two  false claims  to  the
          Civilian  Health and  Medical Program  of the  Uniformed Services
          ("CHAMPUS")  and  paid a  $1 million  fine.   In  connection with
          pending and  threatened civil claims, the Company  also agreed to
          pay  $100 million to the Federal government, of which $89 million
          has  been  paid  and  $11  million  will  be  paid  in  quarterly
          installments  through  September  30,  1995.   Concurrently,  the
          Company settled related Medicaid  claims with states that account
          for  over 99.5%  of  its Medicaid  business  and has  paid  $10.4
          million to the settling states.  

               As  a result of these  settlements, the Company  took a one-
          time  pre-tax charge of $136.0  million in the  fourth quarter of
          1992, which reduced net  earnings for the quarter and  year ended
          December 31, 1992  by $80.3 million.  Earnings per  share for the
          fourth quarter and year were  each reduced by $0.85.  The  charge
          covered all estimated costs related to the investigation  and the
          settlement  agreements.   The  Company will  continue to  receive
          reimbursements  from all  government  third  party  reimbursement
          programs, including  Medicare, Medicaid  and  CHAMPUS, under  the
          settlement agreements.  (The  Company made changes to requisition



                                          16 
 


          forms, pricing  and compendia of tests  following the settlement.
          See   "--Managements'  Discussion   and  Analysis   of  Financial
          Condition and Results of Operations").

               In September  1993, the Company  was served with  a subpoena
          issued  by  the  OIG,  which  required  the  Company  to  provide
          documents  to  the  OIG   concerning  its  regulatory  compliance
          procedures.  The  Company has  provided documents to  the OIG  in
          response to the subpoena and continues to be in contact with  the
          OIG through its outside attorneys.  

               In  August 1993,  Allied received  a  subpoena from  the OIG
          requesting  a broad  range of  documents and  certain information
          relating  to its  pricing and  billing practices.   According  to
          published  reports, other independent  clinical laboratories also
          received subpoenas as  part of  what appears to  be a  nationwide
          audit and investigation.  

               The  OIG   subpoena  received  by  Allied   called  for  the
          production of documents regarding  14 blood chemistry tests which
          were  being or had been performed by certain independent clinical
          laboratories in conjunction with automated chemistry profiles and
          which  were being  or had  been filed  separately to  Medicare or
          Medicaid.  An automated chemistry profile is a  grouping of up to
          23 tests that can be performed together on a single  specimen and
          that  Medicare and  Medicaid  pay  for  under  the  Medicare  fee
          schedule.

               Based on  published reports,  the Company believes  that the
          OIG's  investigation  is   primarily  focused   on  two   alleged
          practices.   The first alleged  practice consists of offering the
          automated  chemistry  profile  as  part  of  a  "standard"  blood
          chemistry profile that also  includes one or more of the 14 tests
          referenced in the OIG subpoena in a manner which is misleading to
          the ordering  physician or which  fails to provide  the physician
          with the choice of ordering only the automated chemistry profile.
          Representatives  of  the  OIG  have  publicly  stated  that  this
          practice  may lead to the  ordering of "unnecessary"  tests.  The
          second  alleged  practice involves  the  failure  to disclose  to
          physicians  that  the prices  charged  by  those laboratories  to
          Medicare and Medicaid for  many of these tests referenced  in the
          OIG  subpoena  were  greater  than the  prices  the  laboratories
          charged to the  physicians for  those same tests  when the  tests
          were  performed  in  conjunction  with   an  automated  chemistry
          profile.   Representatives of the  OIG have publicly  stated that
          undisclosed  pricing differences may  cause physicians to believe
          incorrectly that they are ordering tests at little or no  cost to
          the  Medicare and Medicaid programs, possibly causing tests to be
          ordered which are not medically necessary.  Allied's laboratories



                                         17 
 


          have  included some  of  the 14  tests  in its  "standard"  blood
          chemistry  profile  and also  in  "custom"  profiles created  for
          individual  physicians at  their  request.   Tests performed  for
          Medicare and Medicaid patients are, in accordance with applicable
          laws, billed directly to the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

               In  April  1994, Allied  received  a subpoena  from  the OIG
          requesting  documents  and   certain  information  regarding  the
          Medicare  billing  practices  of  its Cincinnati,  Ohio  clinical
          laboratory with respect  to certain cancer  screening tests.   In
          connection  with Allied's assembling  of documents  responding to
          this subpoena,  representatives of the Company  and Allied became
          aware that the  nature of the  possible problems associated  with
          the  billing practices  of  that laboratory  may  have been  both
          different and greater than previously perceived by Allied and the
          Company.  As  a result, Allied and  the Company agreed  to reduce
          the acquisition  price for the Allied Acquisition from $23.00 per
          share to $21.50 per share, or an aggregate of $12.6 million.  The
          Company and  Allied are continuing to  investigate these possible
          problems and have communicated with the OIG and the United States
          Department  of Justice regarding  its subpoena and  a related qui
          tam action  commenced in  a Cincinnati,  Ohio Federal court,  and
          they are cooperating fully with the governmental investigation of
          Allied's  Cincinnati  laboratory.   The  Company  has established
          reserves which it  believes are adequate  to cover any  liability
          associated with these matters.  


               Potential sanctions in connection with the OIG investigation
          for violations of the  laws related to the Medicare  and Medicaid
          programs may  include significant fines, recovery  of the amounts
          paid  to the clinical laboratory  for the tests  involved and, in
          the case of a criminal  conviction, mandatory exclusion from  the
          Medicare  and Medicaid  programs for  a period  of at  least five
          years.    If  the  OIG asserts  a  claim  against  Allied  and is
          successful in pursuing  such a claim, the  Company's business and
          financial  condition  could  be  adversely  affected.    Although
          neither  the   Government  Settlement  nor,  based  on  published
          reports, any settlement agreements with OIG entered into by other
          major clinical laboratory companies,  provided for exclusion from
          participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, there can be
          no  assurance that Allied  will be  able to  negotiate settlement
          agreements  with  similar terms  if  the  government asserts  (or
          threatens to assert) a claim.  In addition, a criminal conviction
          or  the successful prosecution of  a civil fraud  or false claims
          action  could result in the  exclusion of the  defendant from the
          Medicare and Medicaid programs.  Any such exclusion  would likely
          have  a material adverse effect on the Company's non-Medicare and
          non-Medicaid testing business.  No claim has been asserted by the



                                         18 
 


          OIG against Allied, however, no prediction  can be made as to the
          outcome of the investigation or the impact of such outcome on the
          Company's financial condition or results of operations.

               The  Medicare  and   Medicaid  anti-kickback  laws  prohibit
          intentionally paying anything of  value to influence the referral
          of Medicare and Medicaid business.  HHS has published safe harbor
          regulations which specify certain business activities that do not
          violate  the  Medicare/Medicaid anti-kickback  laws.   Failure to
          fall within  a safe harbor does not constitute a violation of the
          anti-kickback laws; rather, the arrangement would  remain subject
          to scrutiny by HHS.

               In  March  1992,  HCFA  published  proposed  regulations  to
          implement  the  Medicare  statute's  prohibition   (with  certain
          exceptions)  on referrals  by physicians  who have  an investment
          interest in or a compensation arrangement with laboratories.  The
          prohibition on  referrals also applies where  an immediate family
          member of a physician has an  investment interest or compensation
          arrangement with  a laboratory.   The proposed  regulations would
          define remuneration that gives rise to a compensation arrangement
          as including discounts granted by a laboratory to a physician who
          sends  testing  business  to  the laboratory  and  who  pays  the
          laboratory for such services.  If that definition of remuneration
          were to have become effective, it could have had an impact on the
          way the Company prices  its services to physicians.   However, in
          August 1993, the referenced Medicare  statute was amended by OBRA
          '93.   One  of these  amendments makes  it clear  that day-to-day
          transactions between laboratories and their customers, including,
          but  not limited to,  discounts granted by  laboratories to their
          customers,  are not  affected  by  the  compensation  arrangement
          provisions of  the Medicare statute.   Thus, the  Company expects
          the  definition of  remuneration in  HCFA's proposed  regulations
          will  be  changed  to  reflect  this  amendment  to  the Medicare
          statute.   Currently,  these proposed  regulations have  not been
          finalized.

               In October 1994, the OIG issued a Special Fraud Alert, which
          set  forth a number of practices allegedly engaged in by clinical
          laboratories  and health  care  providers that  the OIG  believes
          violate  the   anti-kickback  laws.     These  practices  include
          providing  employees  to  collect patient  samples  at  physician
          offices  if  the   employees  perform  additional   services  for
          physicians  that  are   typically  the   responsibility  of   the
          physicians' staff;  selling laboratory services to renal dialysis
          centers at prices that are below fair market  value in return for
          referrals  of Medicare  tests  which are  billed  to Medicare  at
          higher  rates;  providing  free  testing  to  a  physician's  HMO
          patients  in situations  where the  referring physician  benefits



                                         19 
 


          from such lower utilization;  providing free pick-up and disposal
          of bio-hazardous  waste for physicians  for items unrelated  to a
          laboratory's  testing services;  providing facsimile  machines or
          computers  to  physicians  which  are  not  exclusively  used  in
          connection with the laboratory  services performed; and providing
          free testing for health care providers, their  families and their
          employees (professional  courtesy testing).  The  OIG stressed in
          the  Fraud Alert that when one  purpose of the arrangements is to
          induce  referral of  program-reimbursed laboratory  testing, both
          the clinical laboratory and the health care provider or physician
          may be liable under  the anti-kickback laws and may be subject to
          criminal  prosecution and  exclusion  from  participation in  the
          Medicare and Medicaid programs.

               According to the  1995 work  plan of the  OIG, its  recently
          established Office of Civil Fraud and Administrative Adjudication
          ("OCFAA")  will  be  responsible for  protecting  the government-
          funded health  care programs and deterring  fraudulent conduct by
          health care providers through  the negotiations and imposition of
          civil  monetary penalties,  assessments  and program  exclusions.
          The  OCFAA works very closely with the Department of Justice, the
          Office of  General Counsel  and the  OIG investigative and  audit
          offices in combatting fraud and abuse.   In addition, the OIG has
          stated in its 1995 work plan that it will determine the extent to
          which  laboratories supply physicians' offices with phlebotomists
          (blood-drawing technicians), offer management services or medical
          waste pick-up  to physicians,  provide training to  physicians or
          engage in other financial  arrangements as well as the  extent to
          which such arrangements might be unlawful.

               The health care industry is undergoing significant change as
          third party payers,  such as Medicare and  Medicaid and insurers,
          increase  their  efforts to  control  the  cost, utilization  and
          delivery of health  care services.  In an effort  to address this
          problem  of increasing  health care  costs, legislation  has been
          proposed  or  enacted at  both the  Federal  and state  levels to
          regulate   health   care  delivery   in   general   and  clinical
          laboratories  in  particular.    Some of  the  proposals  include
          managed   competition,  global  budgeting   and  price  controls.
          Although the Clinton Administration's health care reform proposal
          was not enacted  by the  103rd Congress, such  proposal or  other
          proposals  may be considered in  the future.   In particular, the
          Company  believes that  reductions in reimbursement  for Medicare
          services  will continue  to  be implemented  from  time to  time.
          Reductions in the reimbursement rates of other third party payers
          may occur as well.  The Company cannot  predict the effect health
          care  reform, if enacted, would  have on its  business, and there
          can be no assurance that such reforms, if enacted, would not have
          a  material   adverse  effect  on  the   Company's  business  and



                                         20 
 


          operations.

               In  addition  to general  health  care  reform, the  Federal
          government  has  been  examining  the  rapid  growth  of  Federal
          expenditures for  clinical laboratory services.   Several Federal
          agencies   are  responsible  for   investigating  allegations  of
          fraudulent  and   abusive  conduct  by  health   care  providers,
          including  the Federal Bureau of  Investigation and the  OIG.  In
          its  published work  plan for  1992-1993, the  OIG indicated  its
          intention    to   target   certain   laboratory   practices   for
          investigation  and prosecution.    Pursuant to  one such  project
          described  in such  work  plan,  entitled "Laboratory  Unbundle,"
          laboratories  that  offer packages  of  tests  to physicians  and
          "unbundle" them  into several "tests to  get higher reimbursement
          when  billing  Medicare  and  Medicaid" will  be  identified  and
          "suitable  cases  will  be  presented for  prosecution."    Under
          another project  described in such work  plan, laboratories "that
          link  price  discounts  to  the volume  of  physician  referrals,
          "unbundle"  tests in  order to  bill Medicare  at a  higher total
          rate, and conduct  unnecessary tests . . .  will be identified to
          coordinate investigations throughout the country." 

          Compliance Program

               Because  of evolving interpretations  of regulations and the
          national debate  over health care, compliance  with all Medicare,
          Medicaid  and other government-established  rules and regulations
          has  become   a  significant   factor  throughout   the  clinical
          laboratory  industry.  The Company began  the implementation of a
          new  compliance program  in   late  1992  and  early 1993.    The
          objective of the  program is to  develop aggressive and  reliable
          compliance safeguards.  Emphasis is placed on developing training
          programs  for   personnel  to   attempt  to  assure   the  strict
          implementation of  all rules and regulations.   Further, in-depth
          reviews of procedures, personnel  and facilities are conducted to
          assure  regulatory  compliance  throughout  the  Company.    Such
          sharpened  focus  on  regulatory  standards and  procedures  will
          continue to be priority for the Company in the future.

               The  Company  believes that  it  is  in  compliance  in  all
          material  respects  with  all  statutes,  regulations  and  other
          requirements  applicable to  its clinical  laboratory operations.
          The clinical laboratory testing  industry is, however, subject to
          extensive regulation, and many  of these statutes and regulations
          have  not been  interpreted  by  the courts.    There  can be  no
          assurance  therefore that  applicable  statutes  and  regulations
          might  not   be  interpreted  or  applied   by  a  prosecutorial,
          regulatory or judicial authority in a manner that would adversely
          affect  the Company.  Potential  sanctions for violation of these



                                         21 
 


          statutes and  regulations include significant fines  and the loss
          of various licenses, certificates and authorizations.

          Competition

               The  clinical   laboratory   testing  business   is   highly
          fragmented  and intensively  competitive.   The Company  believes
          that there are many clinical laboratory companies which provide a
          broad range  of laboratory testing  services in the  same markets
          serviced  by   the  Company.     Among  the   Company's  national
          competitors  are  MetPath Inc.  (a  subsidiary  of Corning,  Inc.
          ("Corning")),  RBL  (see  "Recent  Developments")  and SmithKline
          Beecham Clinical Laboratories, Inc.  According to HCFA, there are
          over 151,000 federally regulated  clinical laboratories, of which
          approximately   5,700  are   independent  laboratories   and  the
          remainder  were  hospital-based laboratories  and physician-owned
          laboratories. 

               In  recent  years,  certain  independent  laboratories  have
          engaged in acquisitions of other laboratories and taken advantage
          of opportunities for cost  efficiencies afforded by larger scale,
          automated testing operations.  In June 1994, the Company acquired
          Allied.  Also  in 1994, Corning, Inc.  acquired Nichols Institute
          in  exchange for Corning common stock.  In 1993, Corning acquired
          the  stock of Damon Corporation.   In December  1994, the Company
          entered  into the  Merger  Agreement providing  for, among  other
          things, the merger of RBL with and into the Company.  The Company
          believes that acquisition activity  will continue in the clinical
          laboratory business.   Several  factors are contributing  to this
          activity, including legislative initiatives such  as restrictions
          on physician  referrals and ownership of laboratories, increasing
          demand  for higher  quality services  and more  stringent service
          requirements, the  growth of  managed health care  entities which
          require low-cost testing services  and, generally, the demands by
          health  care providers  and payers  for faster reporting  of test
          results and lower prices.

               The  Company competes primarily on the  basis of the quality
          of   its  testing,  reporting   and  information   services,  its
          reputation in the  medical community, the pricing of its services
          and its  ability to employ  qualified laboratory personnel.   The
          Company  believes that its ability to compete also depends on its
          ability   to  make   investments  in  equipment   and  management
          information  systems  and  offer  testing  services  on  a  broad
          regional geographic basis.





                                         22 
 


          Item 2.   PROPERTIES

               The  principal  properties of  the  Company  are its  leased
          corporate headquarters located in La Jolla,  California, Allied's
          corporate  offices  located  in   Nashville,  Tennessee  and  the
          following major laboratory facilities:

                                  Approximate
                                      Area               Nature of
                Location        (in square feet)         Occupancy        
          -------------------   ---------------  ------------------------
          Birmingham, Alabama         20,854     Lease expires 1997; one 
                                                  4 year renewal option
          Phoenix, Arizona            43,024     Lease expires 2001; one
                                                  5 year renewal option
          San Diego, California       40,167     Lease expires 2000
          Denver, Colorado            19,982     Lease expires 2001; two
                                                  5 year renewal options
          Hollywood, Florida          46,500     Lease expires 1997; three
                                                  5 year renewal options
          St. Petersburg, Florida     26,667     Lease expires 1995; two
                                                  5 year renewal options
          Tampa, Florida              26,600     Lease expires 2002; one
                                                  5 year renewal option
          Chicago, Illinois           40,065     Lease expires 2003; two
                                                  5 year renewal options
          Louisville, Kentucky        60,000     Lease expires 2002; three
                                                  5 year renewal options
          Detroit, Michigan           32,000     Lease expires 2004; two
                                                  5 year renewal options
          Reno, Nevada 
          (888 Willow Street)         12,000     Owned
          (704 Mill Street)           12,000     Lease expires 1998; one 
                                                  2 year renewal option; 
                                                  and
          (704 Mill Street)            1,645     Lease expires 2003; one
                                                  2 year renewal option
          Cranford, New Jersey        80,900     Lease expires 2009
          Uniondale, New York        108,000     Lease expires 2007; two
                                                  5 year renewal options
          Cincinnati, Ohio            30,000     Lease expires 2002; one
                                                  10 year renewal option
          Winston-Salem, 
            North Carolina            73,500     Lease expires 2004; one
                                                  5 year renewal option
          Chattanooga, Tennessee
          (863 McCallie Avenue)       18,300     Owned
          (1501 Riverside Drive)      30,000     Lease expires 2012




                                          23 
 


                                  Approximate
                                      Area               Nature of
                Location        (in square feet)         Occupancy        
          -------------------   ---------------   -----------------------
          Nashville, Tennessee
            NRL I                     52,165     Lease expires 2000; two
                                                  5 year renewal options
            NRL II                    25,640     Lease expires 2000; two
                                                  5 year renewal options
          Dallas, Texas               53,694     Lease expires 2004; one
                                                  5 year renewal option
          Houston, Texas              32,368     Lease expires 1997
          San Antonio, Texas          44,000     Lease expires 2004; two
                                                  5 year renewal options
          Salt Lake City, Utah        20,000     Lease expires 2002; two
                                                  5 year renewal options
          Herndon, Virginia           64,172     Lease expires 2004; one
                                                  5 year renewal option
          Seattle, Washington         34,900     Lease expires 2000; two
                                                  5 year renewal options

               Construction  of  a   new  laboratory  to   consolidate  the
          Company's Tampa  and St. Petersburg, Florida  facilities began in
          the fourth quarter of 1994 and is expected to be completed in the
          third quarter of 1995.

               All of  the major laboratory  facilities have been  built or
          improved for the single  purpose of providing clinical laboratory
          testing services.  The Company believes that these facilities are
          suitable and adequate and have sufficient production capacity for
          its  currently  foreseeable level  of  operations.   The  Company
          believes  that  if it  were  to  lose the  lease  on  any of  the
          facilities it presently leases, it could find  alternate space at
          competitive market  rates and readily relocate  its operations to
          such new locations without material disruption to its operations.

















                                          24 
 


          Item 3.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

               The  Company is involved in certain claims and legal actions
          arising  in the ordinary course  of business.   In the opinion of
          management,  based  upon  the  advice of  counsel,  the  ultimate
          disposition  of these matters  will not  have a  material adverse
          effect  on the financial position or results of operations of the
          Company.

               In  1994, the  Company approved  a settlement  of previously
          disclosed  shareholder  class  and  derivative  litigation. As
          previously disclosed, the  litigation consisted of two consolidated
          class action suits  filed in December  1992 and November 1993 and
          a consolidated shareholder derivative action brought in Federal
          and state courts in San Diego, California.  The settlement involved
          no admission of wrongdoing.  In connection with the settlement,
          the Company took a pre-tax special charge of $15.0 million and a
          $6.0 million charge for expenses related to the settled litigation.
          Insurance payments and payments from other defendants aggregate
          $55.0 million plus expenses.

               During  1994,  the Company  learned  of the  existence  of a
          federal  qui  tam  action  regarding  Allied's  Medicare  billing
          practices  at  its  Cincinnati,  Ohio facility.    As  previously
          disclosed, Allied also received  a subpoena from the OIG  in 1994
          regarding  these practices.    The Company  has been  cooperating
          fully with the governmental investigation of Allied's  Cincinnati
          facility.  The Company has established reserves which it believes
          are  adequate  to  cover  any  liability  associated  with  these
          matters.  

          Item 4.   SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

               No matter was submitted to a vote of security holders during
          the fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by this report.



















                                          25 
 


                                       PART II 

          Item 5.   MARKET  FOR  REGISTRANT'S  COMMON  EQUITY  AND  RELATED
                    STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

               On April 24, 1991, the common stock commenced trading on the
          New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbol "NH".  Prior to
          such time, the  common stock  was quoted on  the National  Market
          System of  the National  Association of Securities  Dealers, Inc.
          Automated Quotation System ("NASDAQ") under the symbol "NHLI".

               The  following table  sets  forth for  the calendar  periods
          indicated  the high  and low  sales prices  for the  common stock
          reported  on the  NYSE  Composite Tape,  and  the cash  dividends
          declared per share of common stock.

                                                               Dividends
                                                               Declared
                                           High        Low     Per Share
          --------------------------------------------------------------
          1993
            First Quarter                $18 1/4    $12 7/8      $0.08
            Second Quarter                19 1/2     16 1/8       0.08
            Third Quarter                 18 1/2     14 1/2       0.08
            Fourth Quarter                16 3/8     12           0.08

          1994
            First Quarter                 15 1/4     12 7/8       0.08
            Second Quarter                13 3/4     10 5/8         --
            Third Quarter                 13 3/8     10 7/8         --
            Fourth Quarter                15 3/4     11 3/8         --

          1995
            First Quarter (through
              February 21, 1995)          14 1/2     12 5/8         --

               On February 9, 1995, there were approximately 574 holders of
          record of the common stock.

               The Company, in connection with the Allied Acquisition,  has
          discontinued its dividend payments for the foreseeable future  in
          order to  increase  its  flexibility  with respect  to  both  its
          acquisition  strategy and  stock repurchase  plan.   In addition,
          Intermediate  Holdings  II's   revolving  credit  facility   (the
          "Revolving Credit Facility")  and term loan  facility (the  "Term
          Facility" and,  together with the Revolving  Credit Facility, the
          "Bank Facility") entered into in June 1994 contains, among  other
          provisions, a covenant prohibiting the declaration or payment  of
          cash dividends  to stockholders if,  after giving effect  to such
          action, a default (as defined by  the terms of the Bank Facility)
          shall occur and be continuing. 



                                          26 
 


          Item 6.   SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

               The  selected  financial  data  presented  below  under  the
          captions "Statement of Earnings Data" and "Balance Sheet Data" as
          of  and for  each of  the  years in  the  five-year period  ended
          December  31,  1994  are  derived  from  consolidated   financial
          statements of  the Company, which financial  statements have been
          audited by  KPMG Peat  Marwick LLP, independent  certified public
          accountants.   This data should  be read in  conjunction with the
          accompanying   notes,   the   Company's  consolidated   financial
          statements  and  the  related  notes  thereto, and  "Management's
          Discussion  and Analysis  of Financial  Condition and  Results of
          Operations", all included elsewhere herein.
Year Ended December 31, --------------------------------------------- 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 ------- ------- ------- ------- ----- (Dollars in millions, except per share amounts) Statement of Earnings Data: Net sales . . . . . . . . . $ 872.5 $ 760.5 $ 721.4 $ 603.9 $ 501.9 Gross profit . . . . . . . . 275.5 316.0 326.3 271.4 222.6 Operating income (a) . . . . 109.9 185.5 64.1 165.8 133.1 Net earnings (a) (b) . . . . 30.1 112.7 40.6 103.9 82.6 Earnings per common share (a) (b) (c) . . . . . $ 0.36 $ 1.26 $ 0.43 $ 1.05 $ 0.83 Dividends per common share subsequent to initial public offering (d) . . . . . . . $ 0.08 $ 0.32 $ 0.31 $ 0.27 $ 1.58 Weighted average common shares outstanding (in thousands) (c) . . . . . . 84,754 89,439 94,468 99,096 99,048 December 31, --------------------------------------------- 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Balance Sheet Data: Cash and cash equivalents . $ 26.8 $ 12.3 $ 33.4 $ 51.3 $ 45.8 Intangible assets, net (e) . 551.9 281.5 188.3 193.1 192.7 Total assets (e) . . . . . . 1,012.7 585.5 477.4 411.3 374.2 Long-term obligations (a)(c)(f)(g). . . . . . . 583.0 314.6 114.2 2.9 0.9 Due to affiliates (d) . . . -- 0.1 0.9 -- 66.4 Total stockholders' equity (c) (d) . . . . . . 166.0 140.8 212.5 330.8 256.7 27 (a) In the fourth quarter of 1992, the Company took a one-time charge against operating income of $136.0 million related to the Government Settlement. At December 31, 1993, the long-term portion representing payments for settlement and related expenses due in 1995 was $11.5 million. (b) In 1994, the Company approved a settlement of previously disclosed shareholder class and derivative litigation. In connection with the settlement, the Company took a pre-tax special charge of $15.0 million and a $6.0 million charge for expenses related to the settled litigation. Insurance payments and payments from other defendants amounted to $55.0 million plus expenses. As previously disclosed, the litigation consisted of two consolidated class action suits filed in December 1992 and November 1993 and a consolidated shareholder derivative action brought in Federal and state courts in San Diego, California. The settlement involved no admission of wrongdoing. (c) On January 16, 1992, the Company purchased 4,808,000 shares of its outstanding common stock from its stockholders pursuant to a tender offer (the "Tender Offer"). The Company borrowed $100.0 million under a revolving credit facility in existence at that time and used $25.8 million of cash on hand to finance the Tender Offer. During 1993 and 1992, the Company made open market purchases of 9,485,800 and 310,000 of its outstanding shares of common stock, respectively, for an aggregate amount of $154.2 million and $6.1 million, respectively. Such purchases were financed with cash on hand and borrowings under revolving credit facilities in existence at such time. At December 31, 1993 and 1992, $278.0 million and $75.0 million, respectively, was outstanding on the revolving credit facilities in existence on those dates. In connection with the corporate reorganization on June 7, 1994, all of the 14,603,800 treasury shares held by NHLI were cancelled. As a result, the $286.1 million value assigned to such treasury shares was eliminated with corresponding decreases in the par value, additional paid-in capital, and retained earnings of $0.2 million, $72.3 million and $213.6 million, respectively. (d) In July 1990, the Company paid a special dividend of $150.6 million ($1.52 per share). Due to affiliates at December 31, 1990 principally represents borrowings from Revlon in the original principal amount of $77.0 million incurred in connection with the special dividend paid in 1990, net of an $11.0 million principal payment made in 1990. All remaining amounts due to affiliates were paid at a discount in December 1991. (e) On June 23, 1994, the Company acquired Allied as a wholly owned 28 subsidiary for approximately $191.5 million in cash plus the assumption of $24.0 million of Allied indebtedness and the recognition of approximately $5.0 million of Allied net liabilities. The purchase was financed with borrowings under the Bank Facility. The excess of cost over the fair value of net tangible assets acquired was $220.5 million and is included under the caption "Intangible assets, net." During 1994, the Company also acquired 11 small clinical laboratory companies for an aggregate amount of $46.4 million in cash plus the recognition of $32.9 million of liabilities. The cash portion of these acquisitions was financed with cash on hand and borrowings under the revolving credit facilities in existence at the time of the acquisitions and the Bank Facility. The excess of cost over the fair value of net tangible assets acquired was $72.1 million and is included under the caption "Intangible assets, net." During 1993, the Company acquired thirty-four clinical laboratory companies for an aggregate amount of $78.2 million in cash plus the recognition of $28.7 million of liabilities, comprised primarily of future contractual and contingent payments. The cash portion of such purchases was financed with cash on hand and borrowings under revolving credit facilities in existence at the time of the acquisitions. The excess of cost over the fair value of net tangible assets acquired was $100.1 million and is included under the caption "Intangible assets, net". (f) In the fourth quarter of 1992, the Company relocated its Long Island- based laboratory to a newly constructed facility. The transaction is treated as a capital lease for financial reporting purposes; as such, the associated long-term lease obligation totalled $9.8 million, $9.7 million and $9.6 million at December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992, respectively. (g) Long-term debt includes the expected value of long-term future contractual and contingent amounts to be paid to the principals of acquired clinical laboratory companies. Such payments are primarily based on a percentage of future revenues derived from the acquired customer lists or specified amounts to be paid over a period of time. At December 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991 and 1990, such amounts were $19.2 million, $15.4 million, $1.6 million, $2.9 million and $0.9 million, respectively.
29 Item 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The Company derives approximately 35% of its net sales from tests performed for beneficiaries of Medicare and Medicaid programs. Several changes have been made which adversely affect the reimbursement the Company receives from such programs. On January 1, 1993, numerous changes in the CPT were published which became effective on August 1, 1993. These changes adversely affect the reimbursement the Company receives on some of its services that are billed to the Medicare and Medicaid programs. For example, certain codes for calculations, such as LDL cholesterol, were deleted and are no longer a payable service under Medicare and Medicaid. Had such changes been implemented as of January 1, 1993, the Company estimates that 1993 net sales would have been reduced by approximately $7 million. During 1993, provisions were included in OBRA '93 which reduced Medicare reimbursement schedules by lowering payments under the fee schedule methodology from 88% to 84% of the 1984 national median, effective January 1, 1994 and from 84% to 80% of the national median, effective January 1, 1995. The Company estimates that the change effective January 1, 1995 would have decreased 1994 net sales by approximately $11 million had it been implemented as of January 1, 1994. A further reduction in payments to 76% of the 1984 national median will become effective on January 1, 1996. OBRA '93 also eliminated, for 1994 and 1995, the provision for annual fee schedule increases based upon the consumer price index. In the latter part of 1993, the Company held discussions with HCFA concerning the reimbursement policy for serum ferritin and HDL cholesterol tests. HCFA expressed concerns that the incidence of orders of these tests by physicians remained too high despite changes in the Company's requisition forms, pricing and compendia of tests instituted after the Government Settlement. As a result of a HCFA directive to Medicare carriers, the Company began to receive denials of claims submitted in September 1993 for serum ferritin and HDL cholesterol tests ordered by physicians and performed in conjunction with automated chemistry panels. Such denials and related suspended billings reduced the Company's 1993 net sales by approximately $18.6 million. The Company has undertaken actions with regard to HCFA's concerns. The Company has removed the serum ferritin and HDL cholesterol tests from all standard chemistry profiles offered on its test requisition forms. These tests may be ordered separately or as part of a custom designed profile where specific authorization is provided by the requesting physician. The 30 Company estimates that the effect of these changes reduced net sales in 1994 by approximately $60 million. The health care industry is undergoing significant change as third party payers, such as Medicare and Medicaid and insurers, increase their efforts to control the cost, utilization and delivery of health care services. In an effort to address this problem of increasing health care costs, legislation has been proposed or enacted at both the Federal and state levels to regulate health care delivery in general and clinical laboratories in particular. Some of the proposals include managed competition, global budgeting and price controls. Although the Clinton Administration's health care reform proposal was not enacted by the 103rd Congress, such proposal or other proposals may be considered in the future. In particular, the Company believes that reductions in reimbursement for Medicare services will continue to be implemented from time to time. Reductions in the reimbursement rates of other third party payers may occur as well. The Company cannot predict the effect health care reform, if enacted, would have on its business, and there can be no assurance that such reforms, if enacted, would not have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and operations. Year Ended December 31, 1994 compared with Year Ended December ----------------------------------------------------------------- 31, 1993 -------- Net sales increased by $112.0 million to $872.5 million in 1994, an increase of 14.7% over 1993. The inclusion of Allied since June 23, 1994 increased net sales by approximately $96.8 million or 12.7%. Revenues generated by new accounts and numerous acquisitions of small clinical laboratory companies increased net sales by approximately 9.6% and 11.4%, respectively. In addition, a price increase, effective April 1, 1994, increased net sales for 1994 by approximately 1.8%. A reduction in Medicare's fee schedules from 88% to 84% of the 1984 national median effective on January 1, 1994, plus changes in reimbursement policies of various third party payors, reduced net sales by approximately 3.1%. Other factors, in order of decreasing magnitude, comprised the remaining reduction in net sales as follows: declines in the level of HDL cholesterol and serum ferritin testing, lower utilization of laboratory testing, price erosion in the industry as whole and severe weather in the first quarter of 1994. The Company believes that the decline in utilization was due to fewer patient visits to physicians' offices since the number of tests ordered per patient remained relatively constant. Revenues derived from tests performed for beneficiaries of Medicare and Medicaid programs were approximately 35% and 41% of net sales in 1994 and 1993, respectively. 31 Cost of sales, which primarily includes laboratory and distribution costs, increased to $597.0 million in 1994 from $444.5 million in 1993. Of the $152.5 million increase, approximately $66.6 million was due to the inclusion of the cost of sales of Allied since June 23, 1994, approximately $62.3 million was a result of higher testing volume, and approximately $7.0 million was due to an increase in phlebotomy staffing to improve client service and meet competitive demand. Rental of premises increased approximately $2.7 million due to the expansion and/or relocation of existing facilities to accommodate increased volume and the full year impact of expanding the number of patient service centers by 50% during 1993. The remaining increase resulted primarily from higher compensation and insurance expenses. As a percentage of net sales, cost of sales increased to 68.4% in 1994 from 58.4% in 1993. The increase in the cost of sales percentage primarily resulted from a reduction in net sales due to a reduction in Medicare fee schedules, pricing pressures and utilization declines, each of which provide little corresponding reduction in costs. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $149.3 million in 1994 from $121.4 million in 1993, an increase of $27.9 million. Approximately $21.7 million of the increase was due to the inclusion of the selling, general and administrative expenses of Allied since June 23, 1994. Approximately $3.9 million of the increase was a result of a non- recurring charge in the fourth quarter of 1994 for lease costs and the write-off of leasehold improvements related to the relocation of certain of the Company's regional laboratories. The remaining increase was primarily due to expansion of data processing and billing departments due to increased volume and to improve client service. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses increased to 17.1% in 1994 compared with 16.0% in 1993. The increase in the selling, general and administrative percentage primarily resulted from a reduction in net sales, as discussed above, that provided little corresponding reduction in costs. Management expects net sales to continue to grow through strategic acquisitions and the addition of new accounts, although there can be no assurance that the Company will experience such growth. Reductions in Medicare fee schedules, pursuant to OBRA '93, to 80% of the 1984 national median, effective January 1, 1995, followed by an additional reduction to 76% of such median on January 1, 1996, are expected to negatively impact net sales, cost of sales as a percentage of net sales and selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales in the future. Management does not expect future increases in cost of sales as a percentage of net sales and selling, general and 32 administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales of the magnitude experienced in the year ended December 31, 1994. Management cannot predict if price erosion or utilization declines will continue or their ultimate effect on net sales or results of operations. It is the objective of management to partially offset the increase in cost of sales as a percentage of net sales and selling, general, and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales through comprehensive cost reduction programs at each of the Company's regional laboratories, although there can be no assurance of the success of such programs. The increase in amortization of intangibles and other assets to $16.3 million in 1994 from $9.1 million in 1993 primarily resulted from the acquisition of Allied and several small clinical laboratory companies during 1994 and 1993. In the third quarter of 1994, the Company approved a settlement of previously disclosed shareholder class and derivative litigation. As previously disclosed, the litigation consisted of two consolidated class action suits and a consolidated shareholder derivative action brought in Federal and state courts in San Diego, California. The settlement involved no admission of wrongdoing. In connection with the settlement, the Company took a pre-tax special charge of $15.0 million and a $6.0 million charge for expenses related to the settled litigation. Insurance payments and payments from other defendants aggregate $55.0 million plus expenses. Other gains and expenses in 1993 include expense reimbursement and termination fees of $21.6 million received in connection with the Company's attempt to purchase Damon Corporation, less related expenses and the write-off of certain bank financing costs aggregating $6.3 million, resulting in a one-time pre-tax gain of $15.3 million. Net interest expense was $33.5 million in 1994 compared to $9.7 million in 1993. The increase resulted primarily from increased borrowings used to finance the Allied Acquisition in June 1994, the acquisition of numerous small laboratory companies during both 1994 and 1993 and repurchases of the Company's common stock in 1993. Higher average interest rates also contributed to the increase in net interest expense. The provision for income taxes as a percentage of earnings before income taxes increased to 45.7% in 1994 from 41.0% in 1993, primarily due to a higher effective tax rate for both Federal and state income taxes. 33 Year Ended December 31, 1993 compared with Year Ended December ----------------------------------------------------------------- 31, 1992 -------- Net sales increased by $39.1 million to $760.5 million in 1993, an increase of 5.4% over 1992. Revenues generated by new accounts increased net sales by approximately 12.0%. The acquisition of thirty-four small clinical laboratory companies increased the growth in net sales by approximately 3.5%. In addition, net sales for 1993 increased approximately 2.7% because of the Company's annual price increases (effective in January of 1993). Changes in Medicare's reimbursement policy for LDL tests, coupled with changes in various state Medicaid fee schedules and reimbursement methodologies partially offset the increase in net sales by approximately 1.0%. Medicare's denial of claims for HDL cholesterol and serum ferritin tests, which began in September 1993 and continued through December 20, 1993 when the Company introduced new test forms and procedures, and related suspended billings also offset the increase in net sales by approximately 2.6%. Additionally, a decline in the utilization of laboratory services, and, to a lesser extent, severe weather in the first three months of the year further offset the increase in net sales by approximately 7.3%. Improved accuracy in estimating the difference between amounts billed and amounts received for services provided under third party payor programs, primarily due to the wider use of specific fee schedules for individual third party carriers, resulted in an increase in the growth in net sales of 1.6%. The aggregate impact of various other factors, including discounts granted to meet competitive pressure and movement between payor mix categories, reduced the growth in net sales by approximately 3.5%. Revenues derived from tests performed for beneficiaries of Medicare and Medicaid programs were approximately 41% and 42% of net sales in 1993 and 1992, respectively. The Company actively pursued acquisitions of small clinical laboratory companies during 1993. The laboratory industry is consolidating rapidly as smaller, less efficient organizations are experiencing decreasing profitability in the current health care environment. The purchase of thirty-four small laboratories, primarily in the second half of 1993, increased net sales for the year by approximately $25 million. Had all such acquisitions occurred as of the beginning of 1993, the aggregate contribution to net sales is estimated to have been approximately $81 million. Cost of sales primarily includes laboratory and distribution costs, a substantial portion of which varies directly with sales. Cost of sales increased to $444.5 million in 1993 from $395.1 million in 1992. As a percentage of net sales, cost of sales increased to 58.4% in 1993 from 54.8% in 1992. Labor costs 34 increased approximately 2.7% of net sales, primarily as a result of an increase in phlebotomy staffing to improve client service and meet competitive demands. Rental of premises also grew approximately 0.3% of net sales due to expanding the number of patient service centers by 50% during 1993. Higher capital spending led to increased depreciation expenses of approximately 0.3% of net sales. Also, several expense categories increased slightly, aggregating approximately 0.3% of net sales. The Company continued to focus on cost savings as part of an ongoing program to improve its cost structure. Internal operating reviews were completed in 15 of the Company's 16 laboratories which were in operation during 1993. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $121.4 million in 1993 from $117.9 million in 1992, an increase of $3.5 million. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased slightly to 16.0% in 1993 compared with 16.3% in 1992. This was primarily due to a reduction in the provision for doubtful accounts, reflecting improvements in the collection of delinquent accounts, and also a result of reduced spending for the relocation of Company employees and for legal services. These changes more than offset an increase in labor costs related to staffing added during 1993 to improve billing customer service and expand the Company's information systems group. The increase in amortization of intangibles and other assets to $9.1 million in 1993 from $8.3 million in 1992 primarily resulted from the acquisition of several small clinical laboratory companies during 1993. Other gains and expenses include expense reimbursement and termination fees of $21.6 million received in connection with the Company's attempt to purchase Damon Corporation, less related expenses and the write-off of certain bank financing costs aggregating $6.3 million, resulting in a one-time pre-tax gain of $15.3 million. Investment income decreased to $1.2 million in 1993 from $2.2 million in 1992 and interest expense increased to $10.9 million in 1993 from $4.2 million in 1992. During 1993, cash in excess of operating requirements and increased borrowings were used to finance acquisitions of numerous small clinical laboratory companies and to finance purchases by the Company of its common stock. The provision for income taxes as a percentage of earnings before income taxes increased to 41.0% in 1993 from 34.6% in 1992, primarily due to the increase in the U.S. corporate tax 35 rates and as a result of a higher effective rate for state income taxes. Liquidity and Capital Resources The Company has entered into the Merger Agreement with HLR, RBL, and (for the purposes set forth in the Merger Agreement) Roche providing for, among other things, the merger of RBL with and into the Company with the Company as the surviving corporation, and pursuant to which, subject to certain exceptions, each outstanding share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company, will be converted into (i) 0.72 of a share of common stock of the Company and (ii) the right to receive $5.60 in cash, without interest. In addition, all shares of common stock, no par value, of RBL issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger (other than treasury shares, which will be canceled) will be converted into, and become, that number of newly issued shares of Company common stock as would, in the aggregate and after giving effect to the Merger and the Company common stock owned by HLR, RBL and their subsidiaries immediately after the effective time of the Merger, equal 49.9% of the total number of shares of Company common stock outstanding immediately after the effective time of the Merger (after giving effect to the issuance of Company common stock in respect of the Company employee stock options in connection with the Merger). In connection with the Merger, the Company currently intends to declare a dividend, payable to holders of record of shares of Company common stock as of the third business day prior to the date of the special meeting of the stockholders to consider and vote on the approval and adoption of the Merger, which dividend will consist of 0.16308 of a warrant per outstanding share of Company common stock, each such warrant representing the right to purchase one newly issued share of Company common stock for $22.00 (subject to adjustments) on the fifth anniversary of the issuance of the Warrant. In addition, the Merger Agreement provides for the issuance to and purchase by Roche, for a purchase price of $51.0 million, of 8,325,000 Roche Warrants to purchase shares of Company common stock, which warrants will have the terms described in the preceding sentence. The aggregate cash consideration of approximately $474.7 million to be paid to stockholders of the Company in the Merger will be financed from three sources: a cash contribution by the Company of approximately $288.0 million out of proceeds of borrowings by the Company in an equal amount, a cash contribution 36 to be made by HLR in the amount of approximately $135.7 million and the proceeds from the issuance of the Roche Warrants. The Company has obtained a commitment for a credit facility, which will include a term loan facility of not more than $800.0 million and a revolving credit facility of not more than $400.0 million, to refinance the Company's existing indebtedness and to finance the Company's portion of the total cash consideration to be paid to stockholders of the Company in the Merger. The specific terms and conditions of the credit facility are currently under negotiation. Restructuring costs of approximately $84.0 million are expected to be recorded by the Company at the close of the Merger. These costs will reflect the write-off of deferred financing costs related to the repayment of the Company's existing revolving credit facility and term loan facility entered into in connection with the Allied Acquisition financing and the creation of reserves for severance and benefit costs, costs for office facilities expected to be closed, vacant space costs, systems conversion costs and other restructuring expenses of the Company associated with the Merger. The Company has generated cash flow in excess of its operating requirements in each of the three past fiscal years. Cash from operations was $14.7 million, $57.2 million and $102.4 million for the years ended December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992, respectively. Cash used for capital expenditures was $48.9 million, $33.6 million and $34.9 million for the years ended December 31, 1994, 1993, and 1992, respectively. The Company expects capital expenditures to be approximately $45.0 to $55.0 million in 1995 to accommodate expected growth, further automate laboratory processes, improve efficiency and further integrate the Company and Allied. On May 3, 1994, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Allied. Pursuant to the agreement, on May 9, 1994, a subsidiary of the Company commenced a cash tender offer for all shares of Allied common stock for $23 per share. The agreement provided that any shares not tendered and purchased in the offer were to be exchanged for $23 per share in cash in a second-step merger. On June 7, 1994, the Company entered into an agreement whereby the price payable in such cash tender offer and such second-step merger was reduced to $21.50 per share, or an aggregate of approximately $12.6 million. A subsidiary of the Company acquired Allied as a wholly owned subsidiary on June 23, 1994, for approximately $191.5 million in cash plus the assumption of $24.0 million in Allied indebtedness and the recognition of approximately $5.0 million of Allied net liabilities. 37 During 1994, the Company acquired 11 small clinical laboratory companies in various locations of the United States for an aggregate amount of $46.4 million in cash plus the recognition of $32.9 million of liabilities. These laboratories, on an annual basis, are expected to generate approximately $49 million in net sales. During 1993, the Company acquired thirty-four clinical laboratory companies for an aggregate amount of $78.2 million in cash plus the recognition of $0.7 million of liabilities. On June 21, 1994, Intermediate Holdings II, a subsidiary of the Company, entered into the Credit Agreement dated as of such date (the "Credit Agreement") with the banks named therein (the "Banks"), Citicorp USA, Inc., as administrative agent (the "Bank Agent"), and certain co-agents named therein, which made available to Intermediate Holdings II the Term Facility of $400.0 million and the Revolving Credit Facility of $350.0 million. The Bank Facility provided funds for the Allied Acquisition, for the refinancing of certain existing debt of Allied and NHLI, to pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes of Intermediate Holdings II and its subsidiaries, in each case subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein. The Credit Agreement provides that the Banks and the Bank Agent will receive from Intermediate Holdings II customary facility and administrative agent fees, respectively. Intermediate Holdings II will pay a commitment fee on the average daily unused portion of the Bank Facility of 0.5% per annum, subject to a reduction to 0.375% per annum if certain financial tests are met. Availability of funds under the Bank Facility is conditioned on certain customary conditions, and the Credit Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and events of default. The Credit Agreement also requires the Company to maintain certain financial ratios and tests, including minimum debt service coverage ratios and net worth tests. The Revolving Credit Facility matures in June 1999, with semi-annual reductions of availability of $50.0 million, commencing in December 1997. The Term Facility matures in December 2000, with repayments in each quarter prior to maturity based on a specified amortization schedule. The Bank Facility bears interest, at the option of Intermediate Holdings II, at (i) Citibank, N.A.'s Base Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement), plus a margin of up to 0.75% per annum, based upon variations in certain financial tests or (ii) the Eurodollar rate for one, two, three or six month interest periods (as selected by Intermediate Holdings II), plus a margin varying between 1.25% and 2.00% per annum based upon the Company's financial performance. At December 31, 1994 the effective rate was 8.157%. 38 Aggregate maturities on long-term debt are $39.0 million, $48.7 million, $58.5 million, $68.2 million and $77.9 million for the years 1995 through 1999, respectively. The Bank Facility is guaranteed by Intermediate Holdings I and certain subsidiaries of Intermediate Holdings II and is secured by pledges of stock and other assets of Intermediate Holdings II and its subsidiaries. On June 21, 1994, $400.0 million available under the Term Facility was borrowed by Intermediate Holdings II and loaned to NHLI and was used by NHLI to repay in full its existing revolving credit facilities and for working capital and general corporate purposes. On June 23, 1994, Intermediate Holdings II borrowed $185.0 million of the amount available under the Revolving Credit Facility to consummate the Allied Acquisition. In connection with the Allied Acquisition, the Company announced that it terminated its 10 million share repurchase program, under which 7,795,800 common shares had been repurchased, and established a new $50.0 million stock repurchase program through which the Company will acquire additional shares of the Company's common stock from time to time in the open market. As of December 31, 1994, there were no repurchases under the new stock repurchase program. During 1993, the Company purchased 9,485,800 of its outstanding common stock for an aggregate amount of $154.2 million. The purchase was financed by borrowings under the revolving credit facilities in existence at such time and cash on hand. In connection with the corporate reorganization on June 7, 1994, all of the 14,603,800 treasury shares held by NHLI were cancelled. As a result, the $286.1 million value assigned to such treasury shares was eliminated with corresponding decreases in the par value, additional paid-in capital and retained earnings of $0.2 million, $72.3 million and $213.6 million, respectively. The Company announced, also in connection with the Allied Acquisition, that it is discontinuing its dividend payments for the foreseeable future in order to increase its flexibility with respect to both its acquisition strategy and stock repurchase plan. Pursuant to the settlement of previously disclosed shareholder class and derivative litigation, a total of $6.0 million was paid for such settlement and other expenses during 1994. The remaining amount due as part of the settlement was paid on February 15, 1995. Pursuant to the Government Settlement, a total of $23.8 39 million was paid for the Government Settlement and other expenses during 1994, including aggregate cash payments of $16.0 million made to the Federal government. The remaining amount due the Federal government, $11.0 million, will be paid in quarterly installments through September 1995, which installments are expected to be paid with cash generated from operations. During 1993, the Company paid $55.8 million for settlement and related expenses, including $38.0 million to the Federal government. During 1991, the Company guaranteed a $9.0 million, 5 year loan to a third party for construction of a new laboratory to replace one of the Company's existing facilities. Following its completion in November 1992, the building was leased to the Company by this third party. Under the terms of this guarantee, as modified, the Company is required to maintain 105% of the outstanding loan balance, including any overdue interest, as collateral in a custody account established and maintained at the lending institution. As of December 31, 1994 and 1993, the Company had placed $9.5 million of investments in the custody account. Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA Reference is made to the Index on Page F-1 of the Financial Report included herein. Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE Not Applicable. 40 PART III Item 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT The following table sets forth as of February 15, 1995 the executive officers and directors of the Company: Name Position ------------------ --------------------------- Ronald O. Perelman Chairman of the Board and Director James R. Maher President, Chief Executive Officer and Director David C. Flaugh Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Acting Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Timothy J. Brodnik Executive Vice President Larry L. Leonard Executive Vice President John F. Markus Executive Vice President and Corporate Compliance Officer James G. Richmond Executive Vice President and General Counsel W. David Slaunwhite, Ph.D. Executive Vice President Bernard E. Statland, M.D., Ph.D. Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of National Reference Laboratory Robert E. Whalen Executive Vice President Saul J. Farber, M.D. Director Howard Gittis Director Ann Dibble Jordan Director David J. Mahoney Director Paul A. Marks, M.D. Director Linda Gosden Robinson Director Samuel O. Thier, M.D. Director Ronald O. Perelman (52) has been Chairman of the Board and Director of the Company since 1988. Mr. Perelman has been Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings Inc. ("M&F Holdings") and Mafco Holdings Inc. ("Mafco" and together with M&F Holdings, "MacAndrews & Forbes") for more than the past five years. Mr. Perelman also is Chairman of the Board of Andrews Group Incorporated ("Andrews Group"), Consolidated Cigar Corporation ("Consolidated Cigar"), New World Communications Group Incorporated ("New World Communications"), 41 Mafco Worldwide Corporation ("Mafco Worldwide"), Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc. ("Marvel") and Revlon Consumer Products Corporation ("Revlon Products"). Mr. Perelman is a Director of the following corporations which file reports pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934: Andrews Group, The Coleman Company, Inc. ("Coleman"), Coleman Holdings Inc., Coleman Worldwide Corporation, Consolidated Cigar, First Nationwide Holdings Inc. ("FNH"), Mafco Worldwide, Marvel, Marvel Holdings Inc. ("Marvel Holdings"), Marvel (Parent) Holdings Inc. ("Marvel Parent"), Marvel III Holdings Inc. ("Marvel III"), New World Communications, New World Television Incorporated ("NWTV"), NWCG Holdings Corporation ("NWCG Holdings"), Revlon Products and Revlon Worldwide Corporation. Mr. Perelman is also a Director of First Nationwide Bank, a Federal Savings Bank. James R. Maher (45) has been President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of the Company since December 1992. Mr. Maher was Vice Chairman of The First Boston Corporation from 1990 to 1992 and Managing Director of The First Boston Corporation from 1982 to 1992. Mr. Maher also is a Director of First Brands Corporation. David C. Flaugh (47) has been Chief Operating Officer and Senior Executive Vice President of the Company since 1993. He has been Acting Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company since July 1994. Mr. Flaugh was Vice President-Managing Director, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company from 1991 to 1993. From 1988 to 1991, Mr. Flaugh was Vice President-Finance. From 1984 to 1988, Mr. Flaugh was Vice President and Controller. Timothy J. Brodnik (47) joined the Company in 1971. He was appointed Executive Vice President of the Company in 1993 and was Senior Vice President from 1991 to 1993 and Vice President- Division Manager commencing 1979. Mr. Brodnik oversees the Company's sales operations and major regional laboratories in Florida and North Carolina. Larry L. Leonard (53), who holds a Ph.D. degree in microbiology, joined the Company in 1978. He was appointed Executive Vice President of the Company in 1993 and was Senior Vice President from 1991 to 1993 and Vice President-Division Manager commencing 1979. Dr. Leonard oversees major regional laboratories in Arizona, Texas and Colorado. John F. Markus (43) joined the Company in 1990. He was appointed Executive Vice President and Director of Compliance in 1993 and was Vice President-Managing Director from 1990 to 1993. Previously, Mr. Markus was an attorney in the law firm of Akin, 42 Gump, Strauss, Hauer and Feld in Washington D.C. for more than five years and was a partner in such firm since 1989. James G. Richmond (50) joined the Company in 1992 as Executive Vice President and General Counsel. Previously, Mr. Richmond was Managing Partner of the law firm of Coffield, Ungaretti & Harris in Chicago from 1991 to 1992. Prior thereto, he was Special Counsel to the Deputy Attorney General of the United States from 1990 to 1991 and from 1985 to 1991 was United States Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana. W. David Slaunwhite, Ph.D. (49) joined the Company in 1981. He was appointed Executive Vice President in 1993, was Vice President-Managing Director from 1991 to 1993 and Vice President-Division Manager from 1989 to 1991. Prior to that he held positions of increasing importance with the Company. Bernard E. Statland, M.D., Ph.D. (53) joined the Company in 1990. He was appointed Executive Vice President in 1993 and was Vice President-Managing Director from 1990 to 1993. In addition, Dr. Statland is Chief Executive Officer of the National Reference Laboratory. Dr. Statland was named a Scientific Advisor on the Company's Board of Consultants in 1989. Prior to joining the Company, he was Director of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Methodist Hospital of Indiana for four years and previously held a similar position at Boston University Hospital. Robert E. Whalen (52) joined the Company in 1976. He was named Executive Vice President of the Company in 1993 and was Senior Vice President from 1991 to 1993 and Vice President-Administration commencing 1985. From 1979 to 1985, he was Vice President-Division Manager of the Company. Mr. Whalen oversees human resources, information systems, client service and major regional laboratories in California, Washington, Nevada and Utah. Saul J. Farber, M.D. (77) has been a Director of the Company since 1988. He has been Chairman of the Department of Medicine of the New York University School of Medicine since 1966, Frederick H. King Professor of Medicine since 1978 and Dean of the School of Medicine since 1987. Howard Gittis (60) has been a Director of the Company since 1988. He has been Vice Chairman and a Director of MacAndrews & Forbes and various affiliates since 1985. Mr. Gittis also is a Director of Andrews Group, Consolidated Cigar, Mafco Worldwide, Revlon Products, Revlon Worldwide, New World Communications, NWTV, First Nationwide Holdings and NWCG Holdings, Jones Apparel Group, Inc. and Loral Corporation. Mr. Gittis is also a Director of First Nationwide Bank, a Federal Savings Bank. 43 Ann Dibble Jordan (60) has been a Director of the Company since 1990. She is a consultant and was previously Field Work Assistant Professor, School of Social Service Administration, University of Chicago from 1970 to 1987. Ms. Jordan also is a Director of Johnson & Johnson Corporation, Capital Cities--ABC, Inc., The Traveler's Companies, Salant Corp., The Hechinger Company and Automatic Data Processing, Inc. David J. Mahoney (71) has been a Director of the Company since 1988. He has been President of David Mahoney Ventures since 1983 and was Chairman of Norton Simon, Inc. for more than five years prior to 1983. Mr. Mahoney also is a Director of The Dreyfus Corporation and Bionaire Inc. Paul A. Marks, M.D. (68) has been a Director of the Company since 1991. He has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center since 1980. He has been a Professor of Medicine at Cornell University Medical College since 1982 and a Professor at Cornell University Graduate School of Medical Sciences since 1983. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Marks also is a Director of Pfizer, Inc., several Dreyfus Mutual Funds, Life Technologies, Inc. and Tularik, Inc. Linda Gosden Robinson (42) has been a Director of the Company since 1990. She has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Robinson Lake Sawyer Miller since 1986 and was Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, of Warner Cable Communications, Inc. from 1983 to 1986. Ms. Robinson also is a Director of Bozell, Jacobs, Kenyon & Eckhardt, Inc. She is a Trustee of New York University Medical Center. Samuel O. Thier, M.D. (57) has been a Director of the Company since 1992. Dr. Thier became President and Chief Executive Officer of Massachusetts General Hospital in 1994. He was President of Brandeis University from 1991 to 1994 and was President of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences from 1985 to 1991. From 1966 to 1985 Dr. Thier served on the faculties of the medical schools at Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania and Yale University. At Yale University, Dr. Thier was Chairman of the Department of Internal Medicine from 1975 through 1985. Dr. Thier is a Director of Merck & Co., Inc. and Shawmut National Corp. 44 Board of Directors and its Committees The Board of Directors has an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee, an Employee Benefits Committee, an Ethics and Quality Assurance Committee and a Nominating Committee. The Executive Committee consists of Messrs. Perelman, Gittis and Maher. The Executive Committee may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board, except as otherwise provided under the corporation law of Delaware. The Audit Committee, consisting of Dr. Farber, Ms. Jordan and Dr. Marks, makes recommendations to the Board regarding the engagement of the Company's independent auditors, reviews the plan, scope and results of the audit, reviews with the auditors and management the Company's policies and procedures with respect to internal accounting and financial controls and reviews changes in accounting policy and the scope of the non-audit services which may be performed by the Company's independent auditors. The Ethics and Quality Assurance Committee consists of Mr. Gittis, Dr. Farber and Ms. Jordan. The Ethics and Quality Assurance Committee is responsible for ensuring that the Company adopts and implements procedures that require the Company's employees to act in accordance with high ethical standards and deliver high quality services. The Ethics and Quality Assurance Committee was formed in February 1994. The Employee Benefits Committee, consisting of Dr. Farber, Messrs. Gittis and Mahoney, Ms. Robinson and Dr. Thier, makes recommendations to the Board regarding compensation, benefits and incentive arrangements for officers and other key managerial employees of the Company. The Employee Benefits Committee may consider and recommend awards of options to purchase shares of common stock pursuant to the Company's 1988 Stock Option Plan and the 1994 Stock Option Plan. The Nominating Committee, consisting of Mr. Perelman, Ms. Jordan, Ms. Robinson and Dr. Thier, makes recommendations to the Board regarding the qualifications for directors and procedures for identifying possible nominees. The Nominating Committee also reviews the performance of current directors and evaluates the appropriate size and composition of the Board. During 1994, the Board of Directors held eleven meetings and the Executive Committee acted fourteen times by unanimous written consent of all members thereof, each in accordance with the Company's by-laws and the corporation law of Delaware. The Employee Benefits Committee held two meetings, the Audit Committee held three meetings and the Ethics and Quality Assurance Committee held one meeting in 1994. The Nominating Committee did not meet in 1994. During 1994, no director attended fewer than 75% of the meetings of the board and the committees of which he or she is a member other than Mr. Mahoney 45 and Dr. Thier. Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The compensation paid by the Company to its Chief Executive Officer and each of the Company's four most highly compensated executive officers for services during the year ended December 31, 1994 was as follows:
Summary Compensation Table |Long-Term| |Compensa-| | tion | Annual Compensation | Awards | | | All | | Other | | Compen- Salary Bonus | Options | sation Name and Principal Position Year ($)(a) ($)(b) | SARs (#)| ($)(c) - -------------------------- ---- --------- --------- -------- ------- James R. Maher, President 1994 $1,000,001 $ 450,000| 350,000|$20,066 and Chief Executive 1993 1,000,000 500,000| - | 29,136 Officer 1992 34,616 1,662,500| 300,000| - | | David C. Flaugh, Senior 1994 499,991 375,000| 200,000| 14,154 Executive Vice President 1993 507,683 400,000| 125,000| 13,865 Chief Operating Officer 1992 267,117 265,000| - | 9,287 and Acting Chief Financial | | Officer and Treasurer | | | | Timothy J. Brodnik, 1994 325,000 246,250| 150,000| 8,853 Executive Vice President 1993 325,000 262,500| 50,000| 11,334 1992 238,046 243,800| - | 10,007 | | W. David Slaunwhite, Ph.D., 1994 325,000 266,250| 75,000| 8,850 Executive Vice President 1993 324,615 282,500| 50,000| 11,397 1992 267,117 265,000| - | 94,644 | | Bernard E. Statland, M.D., 1994 457,500 236,250| 25,000| 14,759 Ph.D., Executive Vice 1993 457,500 252,500| 50,000| 17,219 President 1992 386,243 365,000| - | 15,482 (a) Includes salary paid or accrued for each indicated year. (b) Includes bonus accrued or paid for each indicated year and other payments made pursuant to employment agreements. The 1992 amount for Mr. Maher represents the value, on the date of grant, of 100,000 shares of the Company's common stock granted in 1992. (c) Reflects the following: (i) relocation expenses in 1993 for Mr. Maher of 46 $14,001 and in 1992 for Dr. Slaunwhite of $84,365; (ii) life insurance premiums of $15,566 in 1994 and $8,060 in 1993 for Mr. Maher, $9,654 in 1994, $6,790 in 1993 and $3,414 in 1992 for Mr. Flaugh, $4,353 in 1994, $4,259 in 1993 and $3,141 in 1992 for Mr. Brodnik, $4,350 in 1994, $4,322 in 1993 and $3,413 in 1992 for Dr. Slaunwhite and $10,259 in 1994, $10,144 in 1993 and $8,616 in 1992 for Dr. Statland; (iii) 401(a) and (k) contributions in 1994 of $4,500 and in 1993 of $7,075 for each of such individuals named in the table and in 1992 of $5,873 for Mr. Flaugh and $6,866 for each of Mr. Brodnik, Dr. Slaunwhite and Dr. Statland.
Stock Option Transactions in 1994 During 1994, the following grants were made under the 1988 Stock Option Plan and the 1994 Stock Option Plan for the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table:
Option/SAR Grants in 1994 Grant Date Individual Grants Value Percen- tage of Total Options/ Number of SARs Securities Granted Exercise Grant Underlying to Em- or Base Date Options/SARs ployees Price Expiration Present Name Granted(a) in 1994 ($/Sh) Date Value $(b) - --------------- ----------- ------ ------- --------- ----------- James R. Maher 350,000 17% $11.75- 2/10/04- $2,663,000 $13.875 7/12/04 David C. Flaugh 200,000 10 $11.75- 2/10/04- 1,535,000 $13.875 7/12/04 Timothy J. Brodnik 150,000 7 $11.75- 2/10/04- 1,151,000 $13.875 7/12/04 W. David Slaunwhite, Ph.D. 75,000 4 $13.875 2/10/04 611,000 Bernard E. Statland, M.D., Ph.D. 25,000 1 $13.875 2/10/04 204,000 47 (a) No tandem SARs were granted in 1994. (b) Valuation based upon the Black-Scholes option pricing model assuming a volatility of .351 (based on the weekly closing stock prices from January 1, 1993 to January 7, 1994; a risk free interest rate of 6.0% (the asking yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury Strip maturing February 2004); and a dividend yield of 0.0%. The valuation assumptions have made no adjustments for non-transferability. For each grant of non-qualified options made in 1994, the exercise price was equivalent to the fair market price per share on the date of grant. One third of the option's shares of common stock vested on the date of grant and one third vests on each of the first and second anniversaries of such date, subject to their earlier expiration or termination.
48 The following chart shows, for 1994, the number of stock options exercised and the 1994 year-end value of the options held by the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table:
Aggregated Option/SAR Exercises in 1994 and Year-End 1994 Option/SAR Values Number of Value of Securities Unexercised Underlying In-the-Money Unexercised Options/SARs Options/SARs at Year- at Year-End End ($)(a) Shares Acquired on Value Exercisable/ Exercisable/ Name Exercise (#) Realized ($) Unexercisable Unexercisable - -------------- ------------ ----------- ------------- ------------- James R. Maher 0 $0 416,667 $100,000 233,333 200,000 David C. Flaugh 0 0 166,500 50,000 175,000 100,000 Timothy J. Brodnik 0 0 94,833 37,500 116,667 75,000 W. David Slaunwhite, 0 0 74,833 0 Ph.D. 66,667 0 Bernard E. Statland, 0 0 58,167 0 M.D., Ph.D. 33,333 0 (a) Calculated using actual December 31, 1994 closing price per common share on the NYSE Composite Tape of $13.25
49 Retirement Benefits and Savings Plan The following table sets forth the estimated annual retirement benefits payable at age 65 to persons retiring with the indicated average direct compensation and years of credited service, on a straight life annuity basis after Social Security offset, under the Company's Employees' Retirement Plan, as supplemented by the Company's Pension Equalization Plan. Pension Plan Table Five year average Compensation(1) 10 Years(2) 15 Years(2) 20 Years(2) 25 Years(2) 30 Years(2) - --------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- $ 50,000 $ 6,898 $10,346 $ 13,795 $ 17,244 $ 20,693 100,000 16,242 24,364 32,485 40,606 48,727 150,000 25,602 38,404 51,204 64,006 76,807 200,000 34,962 52,444 69,924 87,406 104,887 250,000 44,322 66,484 88,644 110,806 132,967 300,000 53,682 80,524 107,364 134,206 161,047 (1) Highest consecutive five year average base compensation during final ten years. Compensation considered for this five year average is reflected in the Summary Compensation Table under the heading "salary." Under the Equalization Plan, a maximum of $300,000 final average compensation is considered for benefit calculation. No bonuses are considered. (2) Under the plans, the normal form of benefit for an unmarried participant is a life annuity with a guaranteed minimum payment of ten years. Payments in other optional forms, including the 50% joint and survivor normal form for married participants, are actuarially equivalent to the normal form for an unmarried participant. The above table is determined with regard to a life only form of payment; thus, payment using a ten year guarantee would produce a lower annual benefit. The Retirement Plan, which is intended to qualify under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), is a defined benefit pension plan designed to provide an employee having 30 years of credited service with an annuity equal to 52% of final average compensation less 50% of estimated individual Social Security benefits. Credited service is defined generally as all periods of employment with National Health Laboratories Incorporated, a participating subsidiary or with Revlon prior to 1992, after attainment of age 21 and completion of one year of service. Final average compensation is defined as average annual base salary during the five consecutive calendar years in which base salary was highest out of the last ten years prior to normal retirement age or earlier termination. The 50 Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, places certain maximum limitations upon the annual benefit payable under all qualified plans of an employer to any one individual. Such limitation for defined benefit pension plans was $118,800 for 1994 (except to the extent a larger benefit had accrued as of December 31, 1982) and $120,000 for 1995, and will be subject to cost of living adjustments for future years. In addition, the Tax Reform Act of 1986 limits the amount of compensation that can be considered in determining the level of benefits under qualified plans. The applicable limit is adjusted annually; for 1994 the limit was $150,000. For 1995 the limit will remain at $150,000. The Company believes that, with respect to certain employees, annual retirement benefits computed in accordance with the Retirement Plan's benefit formula may be greater than such qualified plan limitation. The Company's non- qualified, unfunded, Equalization Plan is designed to provide for the payment of the difference, if any, between the amount of such maximum limitation and the annual benefit that would be payable under the Retirement Plan but for such limitation. As of December 31,1994, credited years of service under the retirement plans for the following individuals are for Mr. Maher- 1 year, Mr. Flaugh-22 years, Dr. Slaunwhite 12 years, Dr. Statland 3 years and Mr. Brodnik 21 years. Compensation of Directors Directors who are not currently receiving compensation as officers or employees of the Company or any of its affiliates are paid an annual $25,000 retainer fee, payable in monthly installments, and a fee of $1,000 for each meeting of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof they attend. Compensation Plans and Arrangements The Company has an employment agreement with Mr. Maher which provides for his employment as Chief Executive Officer of the Company through December 31, 1995 at an annual salary of $1,000,000 and an annual bonus of $500,000 and an additional discretionary bonus as may be awarded at the discretion of the Board of Directors. If the employment agreement is terminated by Mr. Maher for certain specified reasons, including, but not limited to, (i) the assignment of duties materially inconsistent with Mr. Maher's status as Chief Executive Officer of the Company or resulting in an adverse alteration in the nature of his responsibilities, (ii) a reduction by the Company in the annual salary or annual bonus or a failure by the Company to pay any such amount when due, (iii) the relocation of the Company's principal executive offices to a location more than 50 miles from 51 La Jolla, California or the Company's failure to permit Mr. Maher to maintain his principal places of employment at both the Company's principal executive offices in La Jolla, California and in New York, New York or (iv) the occurrence of a change in control of the Company which, for such purpose, is deemed to occur if Mr. Perelman ceases beneficially to own 5% or more of the combined voting power of the Company's outstanding securities, then the Company will be required to pay Mr. Maher, within five days following the date of such termination, in a lump sum in cash, the sum of (i) any amounts due to Mr. Maher as annual salary and annual bonus, but unpaid, and (ii) $3,000,000. In connection with the Merger, the Company will pay Mr. Maher a special bonus of $1,000,000, subject to certain conditions, in recognition for his efforts on behalf of the Company with respect to the Merger. The special bonus is in addition to any other payments Mr. Maher may become entitled to under his employment agreement with the Company in connection with the Merger. The Company has an amended employment agreement with Mr. Flaugh which provides for his employment as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company through December 31, 1996 at an annual salary of $500,000 with an annual bonus of 50% of the annual salary then in effect and an additional discretionary bonus as may be awarded at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Flaugh received a $150,000 lump sum payment in December 1994. The employment agreement also provides that the duties assigned to Mr. Flaugh will be performed primarily at the offices of the Company in San Diego County, California. If the employment agreement is terminated by Mr. Flaugh for certain specified reasons including (i) the assignment of duties materially inconsistent with Mr. Flaugh's status as Senior Executive Vice President, (ii) a reduction by the Company in the annual salary or annual bonus or a failure by the Company to pay any such amount when due or (iii) a material breach of any of the terms of the employment agreement by the Company, then the Company will be required to pay, in monthly installments, (i) the annual salary Mr. Flaugh would have otherwise received during the remainder of the employment period and (ii) for a period of one year following the date of the expiration of the employment term, in consideration of the performance of specified noncompetition obligations, an amount equal to one-half the annual salary at the rate in effect on the date of expiration of the employment term. The Company has an amended employment agreement with Mr. Brodnik which provides for him to be employed as an Executive Vice President through December 31, 1996 at an annual salary of $325,000 with an annual bonus equal to 50% of the annual salary then in effect and an additional discretionary bonus as may be 52 awarded at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Brodnik received a $100,000 lump sum payment in December 1994. The employment agreement also provides that the duties assigned to Mr. Brodnik will be performed primarily at the offices of the Company in Fairfax County, Virginia. If the employment agreement is terminated by Mr. Brodnik for certain specified reasons, including, (i) the assignment of duties materially inconsistent with the status of the office of Executive Vice President of the Company or resulting in an adverse alteration in the nature of the responsibilities associated therewith, (ii) a reduction by the Company in the annual salary or annual bonus or a failure by the Company to pay any such amount when due or (iii) a material breach of any of the terms of the employment agreement by the Company, then the Company will be required to pay, in monthly installments, (i) the annual salary and annual bonus Mr. Brodnik would have otherwise received during the remainder of his employment period and (ii) for a period of one year following the date of expiration of his employment term, in consideration of the performance of specified noncompetition obligations, an amount equal to one-half the annual salary at the rate in effect on the date of expiration of his employment term. The Company has an amended employment agreement with Dr. Slaunwhite which provides for him to be employed as an Executive Vice President through December 31, 1996 at an annual salary of $325,000 with an annual bonus equal to 50% of the annual salary then in effect and an additional discretionary bonus as may be awarded at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Pursuant to his employment agreement, Dr. Slaunwhite received a lump sum payment of $120,000 in December 1994. If the employment agreement is terminated by Dr. Slaunwhite for certain specified reasons, including, (i) the assignment of duties materially inconsistent with the status of the office of Executive Vice President of the Company or resulting in an adverse alteration in the nature of the responsibilities associated therewith, (ii) a reduction by the Company in the annual salary or annual bonus or a failure by the Company to pay any such amount when due or (iii) a material breach of any of the terms of the employment agreement by the Company, then the Company will be required to pay, in monthly installments, (i) the annual salary and annual bonus Dr. Slaunwhite would have otherwise received during the remainder of his employment period and (ii) for a period of one year following the date of expiration of his employment term, in consideration of the performance of specified noncompetition obligations, an amount equal to one-half the annual salary at the rate in effect on the date of expiration of his employment term. The Company has an amended employment agreement with Dr. 53 Statland which provides for his employment as Executive Vice President of the Company and Chief Executive Officer of National Reference Laboratory through December 31, 1995 at an annual salary of $325,000 with an annual bonus of equal to 50% of the annual salary then in effect and an additional discretionary bonus as may be awarded at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Pursuant to his employment agreement, Dr. Statland received a $90,000 lump sum payment in December 1994. If the employment agreement is terminated by Dr. Statland following a material breach of any of the terms of the employment agreement by the Company, then the Company will be required to pay, in monthly installments, (i) the annual salary Dr. Statland would have otherwise received during the remainder of the employment period and (ii) for a period of one year following the date of the expiration of the employment term, in consideration of the performance of specified noncompetition obligations, an amount equal to one-half the annual salary at the rate in effect on the date of expiration of the employment term. Employee Benefits Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation The members of the Employee Benefits Committee are Saul J. Farber, M.D., Howard Gittis, David J. Mahoney, Linda Gosden Robinson and Samuel O. Thier, M.D. No member of the Employee Benefits Committee is an officer or employee of the Company. Certain Director Relationships. Robinson Lake Sawyer Miller, the corporate communications firm of which Ms. Robinson is President and Chief Executive Officer performs corporate communications services for MacAndrews & Forbes and its affiliates, including the Company. The amount of compensation paid to Robinson, Lake for services to the Company in 1994 was $233,670. On September 17, 1993, the Company purchased 66% of the common stock of a newly-formed corporation, Health Partners, Inc. ("Health Partners"). Robinson purchased 2% of the common stock of Health Partners. In 1994, the Company sold its interest in Health Partners for an amount equal to the original cost. Ms. Robinson is the wife of the principal of J.D. Robinson Inc. which performs consulting services for MacAndrews & Forbes and receives $250,000 per annum from MacAndrews & Forbes for such services to MacAndrews & Forbes. The principal of J.D. Robinson Inc. also serves as a Director of a subsidiary of MacAndrews & Forbes. Ms. Jordan is the wife of a director of a subsidiary of MacAndrews & Forbes who is a partner in a law firm that has on a regular basis in the past provided services and that continues to provide services to MacAndrews & Forbes and its affiliates, including the Company. No services were performed by such firm in 1994 for the Company. 54 Dr. Farber was on the Company's Scientific Advisory board through June 30, 1994 and was paid $7,500 for such services. Employee Benefits Committee Report on Executive Compensation The Employee Benefits Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Committee") is comprised of Saul J. Farber, M.D., Howard Gittis, David J. Mahoney, Linda Gosden Robinson and Samuel O. Thier, M.D. The Committee's duties include determination of the Company's compensation and benefit policies and practices for executive officers and key managerial employees. The Committee also considers and awards options to purchase shares of the Company's common stock pursuant to the Company's 1994 Stock Option Plan. In accordance with rules established by the Commission, the Company is required to provide certain data and information in regard to the compensation provided to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and the four other most highly compensated executive officers. The Committee has prepared the following report for inclusion in this Annual Report. Compensation Policies. The Company's current compensation arrangements for senior executives are significantly affected by the Company's long history as a private company until the 1988 initial public offering, after which an Employee Benefits Committee was established. The overall compensation program for officers historically emphasized a strong base salary position in relation to competitive practice and a competitive annual bonus opportunity dependent upon the operating income performance of the corporation. In contrast to the Company's highly competitive cash compensation policy, the Company did not offer long-term incentive opportunities as an executive compensation element until 1989 when the first stock option awards were made. The Committee understands that the combination of strongly competitive cash compensation and modest use of long-term incentives is typical of private companies with professional management leadership; and this historical approach continued to influence the Company's programs as a public company from 1989 into 1992. Late in 1992, with the appointment of James R. Maher as President and Chief Executive Officer, the Company's compensation philosophy changed to make a greater portion of executive compensation dependent on the Company's long-term stock performance. Beginning in late 1992 and in 1993 and 1994, the Company's compensation philosophy reflected a greater emphasis on grants of stock options. In 1994, the Committee granted options in varying amounts to 159 senior and mid-level managers. The option awards 55 at all levels of management were part of the Committee's desire to make a growing and more significant portion of senior executive compensation directly dependent on the Company's long- term share price appreciation. The number of options granted in 1994 to each of the four senior executives named in the cash compensation table was determined considering the Company's relatively low historical option grants, the Committee's desire to make a greater proportion of the senior executives' compensation equity-based, an analysis of the potential value of the options over the term of the option and a review of option grants at the peer companies listed in the stock performance graph. In 1992, after consultations with Mr. Maher, the Committee decided to raise the senior executive base salary levels and to restructure the annual bonus opportunity as the combination of a cash year-end retention bonus equal to 50% of base salary and a performance bonus opportunity. The general effect of these salary and bonus actions was to set the overall cash compensation opportunity for senior executives at or below 1992 levels, while strengthening the retentive elements of the compensation package. When these arrangements were established it was anticipated that the performance bonus would be based on achieving operating income growth and the contribution of each senior executive as evaluated by the Chief Executive Officer and approved by the Committee. The Committee believes that each of the four most highly compensated senior executives of the Company have demonstrated superior performance in 1994 during a period of general uncertainty in the medical services marketplace. Notwithstanding such performance, however, given industry conditions and the effects of the changes in the industry on the Company's results, the Committee believed, as it did at the end of 1993, that it would not be appropriate to award any discretionary bonus nor to increase any compensation levels for senior executives at this time. Each of such executives also agreed in 1994 to a reduction in the year-end retention bonus in an amount equal to five percent of their base salary. Compensation of Chief Executive Officer. The compensation arrangement with the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer was entered into in December 1992. At that time, the Committee considered the salary and incentive pay levels at public companies whose financial characteristics and market capitalization were similar to those of the Company and whose workforce skills requirements and customer bases were similar. The Committee also considered the Company's circumstances and special leadership challenges in the aftermath of the settlement 56 with the Federal government. In the Committee's judgment, these circumstances required stable new direction at the chief executive officer level to help ensure sustained quality of the Company's services and continued employee commitment to the Company's objectives. Based on these considerations and the Company's strategic direction for executive compensation, it was determined to provide a cash compensation arrangement for the Chief Executive consisting of an annual salary of $1 million, a year-end retention bonus of $500,000 for each year of the contract term and an annual discretionary performance bonus opportunity. The Committee also determined that it was important to structure the Chief Executive Officer's total compensation package to reflect the policy of creating strong financial incentives for executive officers to achieve a high level of long-term shareholder return. Accordingly, the Chief Executive Officer was awarded 100,000 shares of the Company's common stock and granted options to purchase 300,000 shares at the then fair market value of the shares, which options vest during the term of the three-year contract. The Committee views the common stock and stock option awards as the primary means by which the Chief Executive Officer would be rewarded for the Company's business success and believes it is important for the Chief Executive Officer to maintain and increase his equity interest in the Company. Accordingly in 1994, Mr. Maher was granted options to purchase an additional 350,000 shares. The annual discretionary bonus opportunity was adopted as a special recognition vehicle appropriate for years in which the Company achieves superior performance as measured against industry results for growth in operating income and revenues. The Committee decided that with respect to 1994, Mr. Maher, like the other senior executives, would receive no discretionary cash bonus in excess of his year-end retention bonus. Mr. Maher, like the other senior executives, also agreed in 1994 to a reduction in the year-end retention bonus in an amount equal to five percent of his base salary. Limit on Deductibility of Compensation. The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 ("OBRA") limits the tax deductibility of compensation paid to the chief executive officer and each of the four highest paid employees of public companies to $1 million for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 1994. Certain types of compensation, however, including qualifying performance- based compensation and compensation arrangements entered into prior to February 17, 1993 are excluded from the limitation. The Company's general policy is to preserve the tax deductibility of compensation paid to its executive officers. OBRA recognizes stock option plans as performance-based if such plans meet certain requirements. The Company's 1994 Option Plan is 57 structured to meet the requirements of OBRA. In future years, the Compensation Committee will consider taking such steps as it deems necessary to qualify compensation so as not to be subject to the limit on deductibility. THE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS COMMITTEE Saul J. Farber, M.D. Howard Gittis David J. Mahoney Linda Gosden Robinson Samuel O. Thier, M.D. 58 Common Stock Performance The Commission requires a five-year comparison of stock performance for the Company with stock performance of appropriate similar companies. The Company's common stock is traded on the NYSE. Set forth below is a line graph comparing the yearly percentage change in the cumulative total shareholder return on the Company's common stock and the cumulative total return on the S&P Composite-500 Stock Index and a peer group of companies. The peer group of companies includes sixteen companies selected by the Company. One of these is a medical service laboratory like the Company - Unilab Corporation. (Other direct competitors of the Company are subsidiaries of much larger diversified corporations which were not believed appropriate to be peer companies.) The remaining fifteen companies are all publicly traded medical service and medical supply companies with sales ranging from approximately $500 million to $2.5 billion - Continental Medical Systems, Inc., Universal Health Services, Inc., Charter Medical Corporation, Allergan, Inc., C. R. Bard, Inc., Pall Corporation, Thermo Electron Corporation, United States Surgical Corporation, Bausch & Lomb Incorporated, Millipore Corporation, Amsco International, Inc., Beckman Instruments, Inc., FHP International Corporation and Fisher Scientific International, Inc. (Nichols Institute which had been included in the Company's peer group in the 1994 Proxy Statement is no longer a public company and is therefore not included in the peer group. Also, Columbia Hospital Corporation, which had been included in the Company's peer group in the 1994 Proxy Statement, merged with Hospital Corporation of America in 1994 and is no longer within the sales range as defined above.)
COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN(1) 12/31/89 12/31/90 12/31/91 12/31/92 12/31/93 12/31/94 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- National Health Laboratories Holdings Inc. 100 99 266 166 135 126 Peer Group 100 115 209 191 155 158 S & P 500 100 97 126 135 149 150 (1) Reflects the return on $100 invested on December 31, 1989, including the reinvestment of dividends
59 Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL HOLDERS The following table sets forth as of February 15, 1994, the total number of shares of common stock beneficially owned, and the percent so owned, by each director of the Company who is a beneficial owner of any shares of common stock, by each person known to the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding common stock, by the officers named in the summary compensation table and by all directors and officers as a group. The number of shares owned are those "beneficially owned," as determined under the rules of the Commission, and such information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under such rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares as to which a person has sole or shared voting power or investment power and any shares of common stock which the person has the right to acquire within 60 days through the exercise of any option, warrant or right, through conversion of any security, or pursuant to the automatic termination of power of attorney or revocation of trust, discretionary account or similar arrangement.
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Percent of Ownership Class ----------------- ---------- Ronald O. Perelman 20,176,729(1) 24% 35 East 62nd Street New York, NY 10021 GEICO Corporation 6,404,000 7 GEICO Plaza Washington, D.C. 20076 The Equitable Companies Incorporated 5,812,300(2) 7 787 Seventh Avenue New York, NY 10019 ESL Partners, L.P. 4,653,400 5 LBP Associates, L.P. 115 East Putnam Avenue Greenwich, CT 06830 Heine Securities Corporation 4,356,500 5 51 John F. Kennedy Parkway Short Hills, NJ 07078 Howard Gittis 46,000(3) * 35 East 62nd Street New York, NY 10021 60 Amount and Nature of Beneficial Percent of Ownership Class ----------------- ---------- James R. Maher 606,667(4) * 4225 Executive Square La Jolla, CA 92037 Paul A. Marks, M.D. 3,000 * 1275 York Avenue New York, NY 10021 David C. Flaugh 245,070(4) * Timothy J. Brodnik 136,500(4) * William D. Slaunwhite, Ph.D. 116,500(4) * Bernard E. Statland, M.D., Ph.D. 83,167(4) * Saul J. Farber, M.D. 0 0 Ann Dibble Jordan 0 0 David J. Mahoney 0 0 Linda Gosden Robinson 0 0 Samuel O. Thier, M.D. 0 0 All directors and executive 21,881,466(4) 26% officers as a group (17 persons) * Less than 1% (1) All such shares of common stock are owned by Mr. Perelman through MacAndrews & Forbes. All of such shares owned are pledged to secure obligations. (2) As reported in the Schedule 13G filed with the Commission on February 10, 1995, on behalf of The Equitable Companies Incorporated, 5,077,600 of these shares are held by Alliance Capital Management L.P., a subsidiary of The Equitable Companies, for investment purposes on behalf of client discretionary investment advisory accounts, 697,500 of these shares are held by The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States, a subsidiary of The Equitable Companies, solely for investment purposes, and the remaining 37,200 of these shares are held by Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation, a subsidiary of the Equitable Companies, solely for investment purposes. (3) Includes 3,000 shares owned by Mr. Gittis' spouse as to which he disclaims beneficial ownership. (4) Beneficial ownership by officers of the Company includes shares of common stock which such officers have right to acquire upon the exercise of options which either are vested or which may vest within 60 days. The number of shares of common stock included in the table as 61 beneficially owned which are subject to such options is as follows: Mr. Maher - 466,667; Mr. Flaugh - 241,500; Mr. Brodnik - 136,500; Dr. Slaunwhite - 116,500; Dr. Statland - 83,167; all directors and executive officers as a group - 1,512,167.
Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS The Company was included in the consolidated federal income tax returns, and in certain state income tax returns, of Mafco, M&F Holdings, Revlon Group Incorporated and Revlon Holdings Inc., formerly known as Revlon Inc. As a result of the reduction of MacAndrews & Forbes' ownership interest in the Company on May 7, 1991, the Company is no longer a member of the Mafco consolidated tax group. For periods subsequent to May 7, 1991, the Company files its own separate Federal, state and local income tax returns. Nevertheless, the Company will remain obligated to pay to M&F Holdings (or other members of the consolidated group of which M&F Holdings is a member) any income taxes the Company would have had to pay (in excess of those which it has already paid) if it had filed separate income tax returns for taxable periods beginning on or after January 1, 1985 (but computed without regard to (i) the effect of timing differences (i.e., the liability or benefit that otherwise could be deferred will be, instead, includible in the determination of current taxable income) and (ii) any gain recognized on the sale of any asset not in the ordinary course of business). In addition, despite the reduction of MacAndrews & Forbes' indirect ownership of the Company, the Company will continue to be subject under existing federal regulations to several liability for the consolidated federal income taxes for any consolidated return year in which it was a member of any consolidated group of which Mafco, M&F Holdings, Revlon Group or Revlon was the common parent. However, Mafco, M&F Holdings, Revlon Group and Revlon have agreed to indemnify the Company for any federal income tax liability (or any similar state or local income tax liability) of Mafco, M&F Holdings, Revlon Group, Revlon or any of their subsidiaries (other than that which is attributable to the Company or any of its subsidiaries) that the Company could be required to pay. In connection with the settlement of the litigation described under Item 3. Legal Proceedings, an affiliate of MacAndrews & Forbes agreed to contribute to the settlement by reimbursing the Company $15 million, with $5 million reimbursable to the Company upon demand and the remainder reimbursable no later than the earlier of the consummation of the Merger and six months from the date of payment by the Company. Under such agreement, the Company also will receive interest at the Company's cost of funds from the date of payment until the reimbursement. The Company and National Health Care Group, Inc. ("NHCG") 62 are parties to a Registration Rights Agreement (the "Registration Rights Agreement") pursuant to which the Company is obligated, upon the request of NHCG, to file registration statements ("demand registration statements") from time to time with the Commission covering the sale of any shares of common stock owned by NHCG. Such demand registration statements may also cover the resale from time to time of any shares of common stock that NHCG may purchase in the open market at a time when it is deemed to be an affiliate (as such term is defined under Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended), and certain securities issued in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, reclassification, merger or consolidation, or other pro rata distribution. NHCG also has the right to include such common stock and other securities in any registration statement filed by the Company for the underwritten public offering of shares of common stock (whether or not for the Company's account), subject to certain reductions in the amount of such common stock and securities if the managing underwriters of such offering determine that the inclusion thereof would materially interfere with the offering. The Company has agreed not to effect any public or private sale, distribution or purchase of any of its securities which are the same as or similar to the securities covered by any demand registration statement during the 15-day period prior to, and during the 45- day period beginning on, the closing date of each underwritten offering under such registration statement and NHCG has agreed to a similar restriction with respect to underwritten offerings by the Company. NHCG's rights under the Registration Rights Agreement are transferable. The Company has agreed (for certain stated purposes), pursuant to the Sharing and Call Option Agreement dated as of December 13, 1994, among NHCG, Mafco, the Company, HLR and RBL to use its best efforts to cause the registration statement filed in connection with the Merger (the "Registration Statement") to include a resale prospectus that would permit NHCG (or any pledge of the Merger Shares (as defined below) under a bona fide pledge arrangement with NHCG) to sell shares of common stock received by NHCG in the Merger (the "Merger Shares") without restriction and, after the filing of the Registration Statement, will use its best efforts to prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective for a period ending on the third anniversary of the date of the Sharing and Call Option Agreement and during such period will use its best efforts to cause the resale prospectus to be supplemented by any required prospectus supplement. The Company has agreed to pay all of the Registration Expenses arising from exercise of the registration rights set forth in the Sharing and Call Option Agreement. 63 PART IV Item 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K (a) List of documents filed as part of this Report: (1) Consolidated Financial Statements and Independent Auditors' Report included herein: See Index on page F-1 (2) Financial Statement Schedules: See Index on page F-1 All other schedules are omitted as they are inapplicable or the required information is furnished in the Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto. (3) Index to and List of Exhibits (a) Exhibits:* Exhibits 10.2 through 10.4 and 10.6 through 10.46 are management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements. 2.1 - Agreement and Plan of Merger among the Company, NHL Sub Acquisition Corp. and NHLI (incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on March 14, 1994, File No. 33-52655 (the "1994 S-4")). 2.2 - Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of May 3, 1994 of NHLI and N Acquisition Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (c)(1) of Schedule 14D-1 and Schedule 13D ("Schedule 14D- 1 and Schedule 13D") filed with the Commission on May 9, 1994). 2.3 - Agreement dated as of June 7, 1994, among N Acquisition Corp., the Company and NHLI (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (c)(7) of amendment No. 2 to Schedule 14D-1 and Schedule 13D of NHLI and N Acquisition Corp filed with the Commission on June 8, 1994). 64 2.4* - Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of December 13, 1994 among the Company, HLR Holdings Inc., Roche Biomedical Laboratories, Inc. and (for the purposes stated therein) Hoffman-La Roche Inc. (schedules omitted - the Company agrees to furnish a copy of any schedule to the Commission upon request). 2.5* - Stock Purchase Agreement dated December 30, 1994 between Reference Pathology Holding Company, Inc. and Allied Clinical Laboratories, Inc. ("Allied"). 3.1 - Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated herein by reference to the Company's 1994 S-4). 3.2 - By-laws of the Company (incorporated herein by reference to the Company's 1994 S-4). 10.1 - Laboratory Agreement dated February 4, 1983 between the Company and Humana of Texas, Inc. d/b/a/ Medical City Dallas Hospital (incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Commission on May 5, 1988, File No. 33-21708). 10.2 - National Health Laboratories Incorporated Employees' Savings and Investment Plan (incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991 filed with the Commission on February 13, 1992, File No. 1- 10740** (the "1991 10-K")). 10.3 - National Health Laboratories Incorporated Employees' Retirement Plan (incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1992 filed with the Commission on March 26, 1993, File No. 1-10740 (the "1992 10-K")). 10.4 - National Health Laboratories Incorporated Pension Equalization Plan (incorporated herein by reference to the 1992 10-K). 10.5 - Settlement Agreement dated December 18, 1992 between the Company and the United States of America (incorporated herein by reference to the 1992 10-K). 10.6 - Employment Agreement dated December 21, 1992 between the Company and James R. Maher (incorporated herein by reference to the 1992 10-K). 65 10.7 - Employment Agreement dated May 1, 1991 between the Company and Robert Whalen (incorporated herein by reference to the 1991 10-K). 10.8 - Amendment to Employment Agreement dated June 6, 1991 between the Company and Robert Whalen (incorporated herein by reference to the 1991 10-K). 10.9 - Amendment to Employment Agreement dated January 1, 1993 between the Company and Robert Whalen (incorporated herein by reference to the 1992 10-K). 10.10 - Amendment to Employment Agreement dated January 1, 1994 between the Company and Robert Whalen (incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993 filed with the Commission on March 25, 1994, File No. 1-10790 (the "1993 10-K")). 10.11 - Amendment to Employment Agreement dated March 1, 1994 between the Company and Robert Whalen (incorporated herein by reference to the 1993 10-K). 10.12 - Employment Agreement dated May 1, 1991 between the Company and Larry L. Leonard (incorporated herein by reference to the 1991 10-K). 10.13 - Amendment to Employment Agreement dated June 6, 1991 between the Company and Larry L. Leonard (incorporated herein by reference to the 1991 10-K). 10.14 - Amendment to Employment Agreement dated January 1, 1993 between the Company and Larry L. Leonard (incorporated herein by reference to the 1992 10-K). 10.15 - Amendment to Employment Agreement dated January 1, 1994 between the Company and Larry L. Leonard (incorporated herein by reference to the 1993 10-K). 10.16 - Amendment to Employment Agreement dated March 1, 1994 between the Company and Larry L. Leonard (incorporated herein by reference to the 1993 10-K). 10.17 - Employment Agreement dated May 1, 1991 between the Company and Timothy Brodnik (incorporated herein by reference to the 1991 10-K). 10.18 - Amendment to Employment Agreement dated June 6, 1991 between the Company and Timothy Brodnik (incorporated herein by reference to the 1991 10-K). 66 10.19 - Amendment to Employment Agreement dated January 1, 1993 between the Company and Timothy Brodnik (incorporated herein by reference to the 1992 10-K). 10.20 - Amendment to Employment Agreement dated January 1, 1994 between the Company and Timothy Brodnik (incorporated herein by reference to the 1993 10-K). 10.21 - Amendment to Employment Agreement dated March 1, 1994 between the Company and Timothy Brodnik (incorporated herein by reference to the 1993 10-K). 10.22 - Employment Agreement dated December 31, 1990 between the Company and Bernard E. Statland (incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1990 filed with the Commission on March 14, 1991, File No. 1- 10740** (the "1990 10-K")). 10.23 - Amendment to Employment Agreement dated April 1, 1991 between the Company and Bernard E. Statland (incorporated herein by reference to the 1991 10-K). 10.24 - Amendment to Employment Agreement dated June 6, 1991 between the Company and Bernard E. Statland (incorporated herein by reference to the 1991 10-K). 10.25 - Amendment to Employment Agreement dated January 1, 1993 between the Company and Bernard E. Statland (incorporated herein by reference to the 1992 10-K). 10.26 - Employment Agreement dated January 1, 1991 between the Company and David C. Flaugh (incorporated herein by reference to the 1990 10-K). 10.27 - Amendment to Employment Agreement dated April 1, 1991 between the Company and David C. Flaugh (incorporated herein by reference to the 1991 10-K). 10.28 - Amendment to Employment Agreement dated June 6, 1991 between the Company and David C. Flaugh (incorporated herein by reference to the 1991 10-K). 10.29 - Amendment to Employment Agreement dated January 1, 1993 between the Company and David C. Flaugh (incorporated herein by reference to the 1992 10-K). 10.30* - Amendment to Employment Agreement dated April 1, 1994 between the Company and David C. 67 Flaugh. 10.31 - Employment Agreement dated January 1, 1991 between the Company and W. David Slaunwhite (incorporated herein by reference to the 1990 - 10-K). 10.32 - Amendment to Employment Agreement dated April 1, 1991 between the Company and David Slaunwhite (incorporated herein by reference to the 1991 10-K). 10.33 - Amendment to Employment Agreement dated June 6, 1991 between the Company and David Slaunwhite (incorporated herein by reference to the 1991 10-K). 10.34 - Amendment to Employment Agreement dated January 1, 1993 between the Company and W. David Slaunwhite (incorporated herein by reference to the 1992 10-K). 10.35 - Amendment to Employment Agreement dated January 1, 1994 between the Company and W. David Slaunwhite (incorporated herein by reference to the 1993 10-K). 10.36 - Amendment to Employment Agreement dated March 1, 1994 between the Company and W. David Slaunwhite (incorporated herein by reference to the 1993 10-K). 10.37 - Employment Agreement dated January 1, 1991 between the Company and John Markus (incorporated herein by reference to the 1990 10-K). 10.38 - Amendment to Employment Agreement dated April 1, 1991 between the Company and John Markus (incorporated herein by reference to the 1991 10-K). 10.39 - Amendment to Employment Agreement dated June 6, 1991 between the Company and John Markus (incorporated herein by reference to the 1991 10-K). 10.40 - Amendment to Employment Agreement dated January 1, 1993 between the Company and John F. Markus (incorporated herein by reference to the 1992 10-K). 10.41 - Amendment to Employment Agreement dated January 1, 1994 between the Company and John F. Markus (incorporated herein by reference to the 1993 10-K). 10.42 - Amendment to Employment Agreement dated March 1, 1994 between the Company and John F. Markus (incorporated herein by reference to the 1993 10-K). 68 10.43 - Employment Agreement dated October 1, 1992 between the Company and James G. Richmond (incorporated herein by reference to the 1992 10-K). 10.44* - Employment Agreement dated as of June 23, 1994 between the Company and Haywood D. Cochrane, Jr. 10.45 - National Health Laboratories 1988 Stock Option Plan, as amended (incorporated herein by reference to the 1990 S-1). 10.46 - National Health Laboratories 1994 Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Commission on August 12, 1994, File No. 33-55065). 10.47 - Tax Allocation Agreement dated as of June 26, 1990 between MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings Inc., Revlon Group Incorporated, New Revlon Holdings Inc. and the subsidiaries of Revlon set forth on Schedule A thereto (incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 33-35782) filed with the Commission on July 9, 1990 (the "1990 S- 1")). 10.48 - Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of August 27, 1993 among National Health Laboratories Incorporated, Citicorp USA, Inc., as agent and arranger, and the group of lenders specified therein (incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1993 filed with the Commission on November 15, 1993, File No. 1-10740). 10.49 - Credit Agreement dated as of June 21, 1994, among NHL Intermediate Holdings Corp. II, the banks named therein, Citicorp USA, Inc., as administrative agent, and the co-agents named therein (incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 23, 1994 filed with the Commission on July 7, 1994, File No. 1-11353). 10.50 - Loan Agreement dated August 1, 1991 among the Company, Frequency Property Corp. and Swiss Bank Corporation, New York Branch (incorporated herein by reference to the 1991 10-K). 10.51* - Sharing and Call Option Agreement dated as of December 13, 1994 among HLR Holdings Inc., Roche Biomedical Laboratories, Inc., Mafco Holdings Inc., National Health Care Group, Inc. 69 and(for thepurposes stated therein)the Company. 21.1* - List of Subsidiaries of the Company. 23.1* - Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP. 24.1* - Power of Attorney of Ronald O. Perelman. 24.2* - Power of Attorney of James R. Maher. 24.3* - Power of Attorney of Saul J. Farber, M.D. 24.4* - Power of Attorney of Howard Gittis. 24.5* - Power of Attorney of Ann Dibble Jordan. 24.6* - Power of Attorney of David J. Mahoney. 24.7* - Power of Attorney of Paul A. Marks, M.D. 24.8* - Power of Attorney of Linda Gosden Robinson. 24.9* - Power of Attorney of Samuel O. Thier, M.D. 24.10* - Power of Attorney of David C. Flaugh. 27 - Financial Data Schedule (electronically filed version only) 28.1 - Form of Collateral Agency Agreement (Bank Obligations) (incorporated herein by reference to Amendment No. 1 to the 1990 S-1 filed with the Commission on July 27, 1990, File No. 33-35785). (b) Reports on Form 8-K The Company filed a current report on Form 8-K with the Commission on December 19, 1994 reporting the entering into of the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of December 13, 1994 among the Company, HLR, RBL and (for the purposes stated therein) Roche. _________________ * Filed herewith. ** Previously filed under File No. 0-17031 which has been corrected to File No. 1-10740. 70 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES HOLDINGS INC. Registrant By:/s/ JAMES R. MAHER ------------------------------------ James R. Maher President and Chief Executive Officer By:/s/ DAVID C. FLAUGH ------------------------------------ David C. Flaugh Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Acting Chief Financial Officer (Principal Accounting Officer) Dated: March 3, 1995 71 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on March 3, 1995 in the capacities indicated. Signature Title ----------------------- -------- /s/ RONALD O. PERELMAN* Director ----------------------- (Ronald O. Perelman) /s/ JAMES R. MAHER* Director ----------------------- (James R. Maher) /s/ SAUL J. FARBER, M.D.* Director ----------------------- (Saul J. Farber, M.D.) /s/ HOWARD GITTIS* Director ----------------------- (Howard Gittis) /s/ ANN DIBBLE JORDAN* Director ----------------------- (Ann Dibble Jordan) /s/ DAVID J. MAHONEY* Director ----------------------- (David J. Mahoney) /s/ PAUL A. MARKS, M.D.* Director ----------------------- (Paul A. Marks, M.D.) /s/ LINDA GOSDEN ROBINSON* Director ----------------------- (Linda Gosden Robinson) /s/ SAMUEL O. THIER, M.D.* Director ----------------------- (Samuel O. Thier, M.D.) 72 ______________________ * David C. Flaugh, by his signing his name hereto, does hereby sign this report on behalf of the directors of the Registrant after whose typed names asterisks appear, pursuant to powers of attorney duly executed by such directors and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. By:/s/ DAVID C. FLAUGH ------------------- David C. Flaugh Attorney-in-fact 73 NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULE --------------------------------------------------------------- Page ---- Independent Auditors' Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-2 Financial Statements: Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1994 and 1993 . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-3 Consolidated Statements of Earnings for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1994. . . . . . . . . . . F-4 Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1994 . . . . . . F-5 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1994. . . . . . . . . . . . F-6 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements . . . . . . F-8 Financial Statement Schedule: VIII - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves . F-28 F-1 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT The Board of Directors and Stockholders National Health Laboratories Holdings Inc.: We have audited the consolidated financial statements of National Health Laboratories Holdings Inc. and subsidiaries as listed in the accompanying index. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we have also audited the financial statement schedule as listed in the accompanying index. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of National Health Laboratories Holdings Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1994 and 1993, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1994, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein. KPMG Peat Marwick LLP San Diego, California February 13, 1995 F-2 NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Dollars in Millions, except per share data)
December 31, ------------------------- 1994 1993 --------- -------- ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 26.8 $ 12.3 Accounts receivable, net 205.4 119.0 Inventories 20.1 14.9 Prepaid expenses and other 8.3 6.8 Deferred income taxes 29.4 21.6 Income taxes receivable 3.0 8.7 -------- -------- Total current assets 293.0 183.3 Property, plant and equipment, net 140.1 100.1 Intangible assets, net 551.9 281.5 Other assets, net 27.7 20.6 -------- -------- $1,012.7 $ 585.5 ======== ======== LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 44.3 $ 36.9 Dividends payable -- 6.8 Accrued expenses and other 92.8 55.6 Current portion of long-term debt 39.0 -- Current portion of accrued settlement expenses 26.7 21.6 -------- ------- Total current liabilities 202.8 120.9 Revolving credit facility 213.0 278.0 Long-term debt, less current portion 341.0 -- Capital lease obligation 9.8 9.7 Accrued settlement expenses, less current portion -- 11.5 Deferred income taxes 20.6 3.1 Other liabilities 59.5 21.5 Stockholders' equity: Preferred stock, $0.10 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; none issued -- -- Common stock, $0.01 par value; 220,000,000 shares authorized; 84,761,817 and 99,354,492 shares issued at December 31, 1994 and 1993, respectively 0.8 1.0 Additional paid-in capital 153.5 226.3 Retained earnings 11.7 202.0 Minimum pension liability adjustment -- (2.4) Treasury stock, at cost; 14,603,800 shares of common stock at December 31, 1993 -- (286.1) -------- -------- Total stockholders' equity 166.0 140.8 -------- -------- $1,012.7 $ 585.5 ======== ======== See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-3 NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (Dollars in Millions, except per share data)
Years Ended December 31, 1994 1993 1992 ------- ------- ------- Net Sales $ 872.5 $ 760.5 $ 721.4 Cost of sales 597.0 444.5 395.1 ------- ------- ------- Gross profit 275.5 316.0 326.3 Selling, general and administrative expenses 149.3 121.4 117.9 Amortization of intangibles and other assets 16.3 9.1 8.3 Settlement and related expenses -- -- 136.0 ------- ------- ------- Operating income 109.9 185.5 64.1 Other income (expenses): Litigation settlement and related expenses (21.0) -- -- Other gains and expenses, net -- 15.3 -- Investment income 1.0 1.2 2.2 Interest expense (34.5) (10.9) (4.2) ------- ------- ------- Earnings before income taxes 55.4 191.1 62.1 Provision for income taxes 25.3 78.4 21.5 ------- ------- ------- Net earnings $ 30.1 $ 112.7 $ 40.6 ======= ======= ======= Earnings per common share $ 0.36 $ 1.26 $ 0.43 Dividends per common share $ 0.08 $ 0.32 $ 0.31 See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-4 NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Dollars in Millions, except per share data)
Common Stock Minimum $0.01 Additional Pension Par Paid-in Retained Liability Treasury Value Capital Earnings Adjustment Stock ------- ----------- --------- --------- -------- Balance, January 1, 1992 $1.0 $223.7 $106.1 $ -- $ -- Net earnings -- -- 40.6 -- -- Dividends to stockholders -- -- (29.2) -- -- Exercise of stock options -- 0.5 -- -- -- Acquisition of treasury stock -- -- -- -- (131.9) Other -- 1.7 -- -- -- ------- ----------- --------- --------- ------- Balance, December 31, 1992 1.0 225.9 117.5 -- (131.9) Net earnings -- -- 112.7 -- -- Dividends to stockholders -- -- (28.2) -- -- Exercise of stock option s -- 0.4 -- -- -- Acquisition of treasury stock -- -- -- -- (154.2) Adjustment for minimum pension liability -- -- -- (2.4) -- Other -- -- -- -- -- ------- ----------- --------- --------- -------- Balance, December 31, 1993 1.0 226.3 202.0 (2.4) (286.1) Net earnings -- -- 30.1 -- -- Dividends to stockholders -- -- (6.8) -- -- Exercise of stock options -- 0.1 -- -- -- Retirement of treasury (0.2) (72.3) (213.6) -- 286.1 stock Adjustment for minimum pension liability -- -- -- 2.4 -- Other -- (0.6) -- -- -- ------- ----------- --------- --------- -------- Balance, December 31, 1994 $0.8 $ 153.5 $ 11.7 $ -- $ -- ======= =========== ========= ========= ======== See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-5 NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Dollars in Millions)
Years Ended December 31, 1994 1993 1992 ------- ------- ------- CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net earnings $ 30.1 $ 112.7 $ 40.6 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 44.4 32.2 26.9 Provision for doubtful accounts, net (1.4) 0.2 4.5 Litigation settlement and related expenses 21.0 -- -- Other gains and expenses, net -- (15.3) -- Settlement and related expenses -- -- 136.0 Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions: Increase in accounts receivable (54.0) (35.8) (22.5) Increase in inventories (0.9) (0.9) (1.8) Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other 5.1 (2.5) (0.4) Decrease (increase) in deferred income taxes, net 11.0 19.1 (39.8) Decrease (increase) in income taxes receivable 5.5 6.5 (15.2) Decrease (increase) in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other (13.1) 1.5 15.7 Payments for settlement and related expenses (29.8) (55.8) (47.1) Other, net (3.2) (4.7) 5.5 ------- ------- ------- Net cash provided by operating activities 14.7 57.2 102.4 ------- ------- ------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Capital expenditures (48.9) (33.6) (34.9) Proceeds from sale of subsidiary 10.1 -- -- Acquisitions of businesses (254.8) (78.2) (2.3) Restricted investments -- 0.8 0.9 Other gains and expenses, net -- 15.3 -- ------- ------- ------- Net cash used for investing activities (293.6) (95.7) (36.3) ------- ------- ------- (continued) F-6 NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS, CONTINUED (Dollars in Millions) Years Ended December 31, 1994 1993 1992 ------- ------- ------- CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from revolving credit facilities $ 308.0 $ 342.0 $ 100.0 Payments on revolving credit facilities (373.0) (139.0) (25.0) Proceeds from long-term debt 400.0 -- -- Payments on long-term debt (20.0) -- -- Deferred payments on acquisitions (7.6) (1.9) (1.6) Purchase of treasury stock -- (154.2) (131.9) Dividends paid on common stock (13.6) (29.0) (28.6) Proceeds from exercise of stock options 0.1 0.4 0.5 Other (0.5) (0.9) 2.6 ------- ------- ------- Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities 293.4 17.4 (84.0) ------- ------- ------- Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 14.5 (21.1) (17.9) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 12.3 33.4 51.3 ------- ------- ------- Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 26.8 $ 12.3 $ 33.4 ======= ======= ======= Supplemental schedule of cash flow information: Cash paid during the period for: Interest $ 34.2 $ 8.4 $ 3.6 Income taxes 14.8 59.6 82.0 Disclosure of non-cash financing and investing activities: Dividends declared and unpaid on common stock $ -- $ 6.8 $ 7.6 Fixed assets acquired under capital leases -- -- 9.6 In connection with business acquisitions, liabilities were assumed as follows: Fair value of assets acquired $ 399.4 $ 106.9 $ 3.0 Cash paid (254.8) (78.2) (2.3) ------- ------- ------- Liabilities assumed $ 144.6 $ 28.7 $ 0.7 ======= ======= ======= See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-7 NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in Millions) 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Presentation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of National Health Laboratories Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries ("Company") after elimination of all material intercompany accounts and transactions. On June 7, 1994, the stockholders of National Health Laboratories Incorporated ("NHLI") approved a proposed corporate reorganization of NHLI, as a result of which National Health Laboratories Holdings Inc. ("NHL Holdings"), a Delaware corporation, now owns, through NHL Intermediate Holdings Corp. I, a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of NHL Holdings ("Intermediate Holdings I"), and NHL Intermediate Holdings Corp. II, a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Intermediate Holdings I ("Intermediate Holdings II"), all of the outstanding common stock of the NHLI. Until May 7, 1991, the Company was a direct majority owned subsidiary of National Health Care Group, Inc. ("NHCG") which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Revlon Holdings Inc. ("Revlon"), then known as Revlon, Inc., and MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings Inc. ("MacAndrews & Forbes"). MacAndrews & Forbes is wholly owned by Mafco Holdings Inc. ("Mafco"). As a result of an initial public offering in July 1988 and subsequent secondary public offerings in August 1990, May 1991 and February 1992, the Company's self tender offer in January 1992 and the purchase by the Company of outstanding shares of its common stock, Mafco's indirect ownership has been reduced to approximately 24%. Cash Equivalents: Cash equivalents (primarily investments in money market funds, time deposits and commercial paper which have original maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase) are carried at cost which approximates market. Inventories: Inventories, consisting primarily of laboratory supplies, are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market. F-8 NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued) (Dollars in Millions) Property, Plant and Equipment: Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost. The cost of properties held under capital leases is equal to the lower of the net present value of the minimum lease payments or the fair value of the leased property at the inception of the lease. Depreciation and amortization expense is computed on all classes of assets based on their estimated useful lives, as indicated below, using principally the straight-line method. Years Buildings and building improvements 40 Machinery and equipment 3-10 Furniture and fixtures 8 Leasehold improvements and assets held under capital leases are amortized over the shorter of their estimated lives or the period of the related leases. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance charged against earnings in 1994, 1993 and 1992 were $16.5, $10.8 and $10.7, respectively. Intangibles: Intangibles, consisting of goodwill, net of amortization of $417.0 and $231.2 at December 31, 1994 and 1993, respectively, and other intangibles (i.e., customer lists and non-compete agreements), net of amortization, of $134.9 and $50.3 at December 31, 1994 and 1993, respectively, are being amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of 40 years and 3-25 years, respectively. Total accumulated amortization for goodwill, rights to names and other intangibles aggregated $60.8 and $46.4 at December 31, 1994 and 1993, respectively. The Company assesses the recoverability of intangible assets by determining whether the amortization of the intangibles' balance over its remaining life can be recovered through undiscounted future operating cash flows of the acquired operations. The amount of intangible asset impairment, if any, is measured based on projected undiscounted future operating cash flows. Fair Value of Financial Instruments: Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107, "Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments", requires that fair values be disclosed for most of the Company's financial F-9 NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued) (Dollars in Millions) instruments. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses, the revolving credit and long-term debt are considered to be representative of their respective fair values. Concentration of Credit Risk: Concentrations of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable are limited due to the diversity of the Company's clients as well as their dispersion across many different geographic regions. Revenue Recognition: Sales are recognized on the accrual basis at the time test results are reported, which approximates when services are provided. Services are provided to certain patients covered by various third-party payor programs including the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Billings for services under third-party payor programs are included in sales net of allowances for differences between the amounts billed and estimated program payment amounts. Adjustments to the estimated payment amounts based on final settlement with the programs are recorded upon settlement. In 1994, 1993 and 1992, approximately 35%, 41% and 42%, respectively, of the Company's revenues were derived from tests performed for beneficiaries of Medicare and Medicaid programs. Income Taxes: Effective January 1, 1992, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes" ("Statement 109"). Statement 109 requires the use of the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the asset and liability method of Statement 109, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Under Statement 109, the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. F-10 NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued) (Dollars in Millions, except per share data) Earnings per Common Share: For the years ended December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992, earnings per common share is calculated based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each year (84,754,183, 89,438,764 and 94,468,022 shares, respectively). Reclassifications: Certain amounts in the prior years' financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the 1994 presentation. 2. ACQUISITIONS On May 3, 1994, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Allied Clinical Laboratories, Inc. ("Allied"). Pursuant to the agreement, on May 9, 1994, a subsidiary of the Company commenced a cash tender offer for all shares of Allied common stock for $23 per share. The agreement provided that any shares not tendered and purchased in the offer were to be exchanged for $23 per share in cash in a second-step merger. In connection with the Company's acquisition of Allied, the Company and Allied became aware that the nature of the possible problems associated with billing practices of Allied's Cincinnati, Ohio clinical laboratory, concerning which Allied had received a subpoena on April 5, 1994 from the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services (the "OIG") requiring Allied to produce certain documents and information regarding the Medicare billing practices of such laboratory with respect to certain cancer screening tests, may have been both different and greater than previously perceived by the Company and Allied. As a result, on June 7, 1994, the Company entered into an agreement whereby the price payable in such cash tender offer and such second-step merger was reduced from $23 per share to $21.50 per share, or an aggregate of approximately $12.6. The Company and Allied are continuing to investigate these possible problems and have communicated with the OIG and the United States Department of Justice regarding its subpoena and a related qui tam action commenced in a Cincinnati, Ohio Federal court, and they are cooperating fully with the governmental investigation of Allied's Cincinnati laboratory. The Company has established reserves which it believes are adequate to cover any liability associated with these matters. F-11 NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued) (Dollars in Millions, except per share data) A subsidiary of the Company acquired Allied as a wholly owned subsidiary on June 23, 1994, for approximately $191.5 in cash, $185.0 of which was borrowed under a revolving credit facility, plus the assumption of $24.0 of Allied indebtedness and the recognition of approximately $5.0 of Allied net liabilities (the "Allied Acquisition"). The Allied Acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting; as such, Allied's assets and liabilities were recorded at their fair values on the date of acquisition. The purchase price exceeded the fair value of acquired net tangible assets by approximately $220.5, which consists of goodwill of $167.7 and other intangible assets of $52.8. These items are being amortized over periods between 3 and 40 years on a straight-line basis. Allied's results of operations have been included in the Company's results of operations beginning June 23, 1994. The following table provides unaudited pro forma operating results of the Company giving effect to the Allied Acquisition as if it had been completed at the beginning of the periods presented. The pro forma information has been prepared for comparative purposes only and does not purport to be indicative of future operating results. Years Ended December 31, December 31, 1994 1993 ----------- ----------- Net sales $ 962.8 $ 923.5 Net earnings 26.1 104.0 Earnings per common share $ 0.31 $ 1.16 During 1994, the Company also acquired 11 small clinical laboratory companies for an aggregate purchase price of $79.3. During 1993 and 1992, the Company acquired thirty-four and five laboratories, respectively, for an aggregate purchase price of $106.9 and $3.0, respectively. The acquisitions were accounted for as purchase transactions. The excess of cost over the fair value of net tangible assets acquired during 1994, 1993 and 1992 was $72.1, $100.1, and $3.0, respectively, which is included under the caption "Intangible assets, net" in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The consolidated statements of earnings reflect the results of operations of these purchased businesses from their dates of acquisition. F-12 NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued) (Dollars in Millions, except per share data) 3. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET December 31, December 31, 1994 1993 ----------- ----------- Gross accounts receivable $ 270.7 $ 170.0 Less contractual allowances and allowance for doubtful accounts (65.3) (51.0) ------- ------- $ 205.4 $ 119.0 ======= ======= 4. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET December 31, December 31, 1994 1993 ----------- ----------- Land $ 1.3 $ 0.4 Buildings and building improvements 1.8 1.9 Machinery and equipment 154.2 117.9 Leasehold improvements 44.2 27.2 Furniture and fixtures 22.0 14.5 Buildings under capital leases 9.6 9.6 ------- ------- 233.1 171.5 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (93.0) (71.4) ------- ------- $ 140.1 $ 100.1 ======= ======= 5. ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER December 31, December 31, 1994 1993 ----------- ----------- Employee compensation and benefits $ 38.8 $ 27.9 Taxes other than federal taxes on income 7.3 7.5 Deferred acquisition related payments 15.9 11.4 Acquisition related reserves 21.8 1.9 Other 9.0 6.9 ------- ------- $ 92.8 $ 55.6 ======= ======= F-13 NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued) (Dollars in Millions, except per share data) 6. OTHER LIABILITIES December 31, December 31, 1994 1993 ----------- ----------- Deferred acquisition related payments $ 19.2 $ 15.4 Acquisition related reserves 31.9 -- Other 8.4 6.1 ------- ------- $ 59.5 $ 21.5 ======= ======= 7. LITIGATION SETTLEMENT In the third quarter of 1994, the Company approved a settlement of previously disclosed shareholder class and derivative litigation (the "Litigation Settlement"). The litigation consisted of two consolidated class action suits and a consolidated shareholder derivative action brought in federal and state courts in San Diego, California. The settlement involved no admission of wrongdoing. In connection with the settlement, the Company took a pre-tax special charge of $15.0 and a $6.0 charge for expenses related to the settled litigation. Insurance payments and payments from other defendants aggregate $55.0 plus expenses. 8. GOVERNMENT SETTLEMENT In November 1990, the Company became aware of a grand jury inquiry relating to its pricing practices being conducted by the United States Attorney for the San Diego area (the Southern District of California) with the assistance of the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services. On December 18, 1992, the Company announced that it had entered into agreements that concluded the investigation (the "Government Settlement"). As a result of this settlement, the Company took a one-time pre-tax charge of $136.0 in the fourth quarter of 1992. The charge covered all estimated costs related to the investigation and the settlement agreements. At December 31, 1994 and 1993, the remaining liability for the Government Settlement and related expenses totalled $11.7 and $33.1, respectively, and is reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets under the captions "Accrued Settlement Expenses". F-14 NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued) (Dollars in Millions) 9. LONG-TERM DEBT On June 21, 1994, Intermediate Holdings II entered into a credit agreement dated as of such date (the "Credit Agreement"), with the banks named therein (the "Banks"), Citicorp USA, Inc., as administrative agent (the "Bank Agent"), and certain co-agents named therein, which made available to Intermediate Holdings II a term loan facility of $400.0 (the "Term Facility") and a revolving credit facility of $350.0 (the "Revolving Credit Facility" and, together with the Term Facility, the "Bank Facility"). The Bank Facility provided funds for the Allied Acquisition, for the refinancing of certain existing debt of Allied and NHLI, to pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes of Intermediate Holdings II and its subsidiaries, in each case subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein. The Credit Agreement provides that the Banks and the Bank Agent will receive from Intermediate Holdings II customary facility and administrative agent fees, respectively. Intermediate Holdings II will pay a commitment fee on the average daily unused portion of the Bank Facility of 0.5% per annum, subject to a reduction to 0.375% per annum if certain financial tests are met. Availability of funds under the Bank Facility is conditioned on certain customary conditions, and the Credit Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and events of default. The Credit Agreement also requires the Company to maintain certain financial ratios and tests, including minimum debt service coverage ratios and net worth tests. The Revolving Credit Facility matures in June 1999, with semi-annual reductions of availability of $50.0, commencing in December 1997. The Term Facility matures in December 2000, with repayments in each quarter prior to maturity based on a specified amortization schedule. The Bank Facility bears interest, at the option of Intermediate Holdings II, at (i) Citibank, N.A.'s Base Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement), plus a margin of up to 0.75% per annum, based upon the Company's financial performance or (ii) the Eurodollar rate for one, two, three or six month interest periods (as selected by Intermediate Holdings II), plus a margin varying between 1.25% and 2.00% per annum based upon the Company's financial performance. At December 31, 1994, the effective interest rate was 8.157%. F-15 NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued) (Dollars in Millions) The Bank Facility is guaranteed by Intermediate Holdings I and certain subsidiaries of Intermediate Holdings II and is secured by pledges of stock and other assets of Intermediate Holdings II and its subsidiaries. Aggregate maturities on long-term debt are $39.0, $48.7, $58.5, $68.2 and $77.9 for the years 1995 through 1999, respectively. 10. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY In connection with the corporate reorganization on June 7, 1994 discussed above, all of the 14,603,800 treasury shares held by NHLI were cancelled. As a result, the $286.1 cost of such treasury shares was eliminated with corresponding decreases in the par value, additional paid-in capital and retained earnings accounts of $0.2, $72.3 and $213.6, respectively. In connection with the Allied Acquisition, the Company announced that it terminated its 10 million share repurchase program under which 7,795,800 common shares had been repurchased and established a new $50.0 stock repurchase plan through which the Company will acquire additional shares of the Company's common stock from time to time in the open market. As of December 31, 1994, there were no stock repurchases under the new stock repurchase program. 11. INCOME TAXES As discussed in Note 1, the Company adopted Statement 109 effective January 1, 1992. The cumulative effect of the change in the method of accounting for income taxes was not material and is therefore not presented separately in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings. F-16 NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued) (Dollars in Millions) The provisions for income taxes in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings consist of the following: Years Ended December 31, 1994 1993 1992 ----- ----- ----- Current: Federal $16.2 $48.9 $52.3 State and local 3.0 10.4 9.0 ----- ----- ----- 19.2 59.3 61.3 ----- ----- ----- Deferred: Federal 4.9 14.9 (32.3) State and local 1.2 4.2 (7.5) ----- ----- ----- 6.1 19.1 (39.8) ----- ----- ----- $25.3 $78.4 $21.5 ===== ===== ===== The effective tax rates on earnings before income taxes is reconciled to statutory federal income tax rates as follows: Years Ended December 31, 1994 1993 1992 ------ ------ ------ Statutory federal rate 35.0% 35.0% 34.0% State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit 4.9 4.9 1.5 Other 5.8 1.1 (0.9) ------ ------ ------ Effective rate 45.7% 41.0% 34.6% ====== ====== ====== The significant components of deferred income tax expense are as follows: Years Ended December 31, 1994 1993 1992 ------ ------ ------ Settlement and related expenses $ 2.5 $ 22.2 $(34.8) Reserve for doubtful accounts 0.9 0.4 (2.1) Other 2.7 (3.5) (2.9) ------ ------ ------ $ 6.1 $ 19.1 $(39.8) ====== ====== ====== F-17 NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued) (Dollars in Millions) The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 1994 and 1993 are as follows: December 31, 1994 1993 ----- ------ Deferred tax assets: Settlement and related expenses, principally due to accrual for financial reporting purposes $10.7 $13.2 Accounts receivable, principally due to allowance for doubtful accounts 8.4 5.5 Self insurance reserves, principally due to accrual for financial reporting purposes 2.4 0.9 Compensated absences, principally due to accrual for financial reporting purposes 2.8 2.0 Acquisition related reserves, principally due to accrual for financial reporting purposes 8.0 -- Other 4.4 6.6 ------ ------ Total gross deferred tax assets 36.7 28.2 ------ ------ Deferred tax liabilities: Intangible assets, principally due to differences in amortization (22.1) (3.7) Property, plant and equipment, principally due to differences in depreciation (0.8) (4.3) Other (5.0) (1.7) ------ ------ Total gross deferred tax liabilities (27.9) (9.7) ------ ------ Net deferred tax asset $ 8.8 $18.5 ====== ====== A valuation allowance was deemed unnecessary at December 31, 1994 and 1993. Based on the Company's history of taxable income and its projection of future earnings, it believes that it is more likely than not that sufficient taxable income will be generated in the foreseeable future to realize the deferred tax asset. 12. STOCK OPTIONS In 1988, the Company adopted the 1988 Stock Option Plan, reserving 2,000,000 shares of common stock for issuance pursuant to options and stock appreciation rights that may be granted under the plan. The Stock Option Plan was amended in 1990 to limit the number of options to be issued under the Stock Option Plan to F-18 NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued) (Dollars in Millions, except per share data) 550,000 in the aggregate (including all options previously granted). In 1991, the number of shares authorized for issuance under the Stock Option Plan was increased to an aggregate of 2,550,000. In 1994, the Company adopted the 1994 Stock Option Plan, reserving 3,000,000 shares of common stock for issuance pursuant to options and stock appreciation rights that may be granted under the plan. The following table summarizes grants of non-qualified options made by the Company to officers and key employees for both plans. For each grant, the exercise price was equivalent to the fair market price per share on the date of grant. Also, for each grant, one-third of the shares of common stock subject to such options vested on the date of grant and one-third vests on each of the first and second anniversaries of such date, subject to their earlier expiration or termination. Exercise Date Options Price Date of of Grant Granted per Share Expiration ------------- --------- --------- ---------------- February 1989 240,000 $ 7.750 February 8, 1999 July 1990 100,000 13.500 July 9, 2000 October 1991 500,000 20.250 October 8, 2001 October 1992 25,000 20.000 October 2, 2002 December 1992 300,000 16.625 December 21, 2002 January 1993 775,000 16.625 January 18, 2003 July 1993 43,500 17.875 July 6, 2003 February 1994 1,097,500 13.875 February 10, 2004 June 1994 147,000 7.690 June 23, 2004 July 1994 797,500 11.750 July 12, 2004 F-19 NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued) (Dollars in Millions) Changes during 1992, 1993 and 1994 in options outstanding under the plans were as follows: Number Exercise Price of Options per Option ---------- ----------------- Outstanding at January 1, 1992 636,900 $ 7.750 - $20.250 Granted 325,000 $16.625 - $20.000 Exercised (30,662) $ 7.750 - $20.250 Canceled or expired (67,167) $13.500 - $20.250 ---------- Outstanding at December 31, 1992 864,071 $ 7.750 - $20.250 Granted 818,500 $16.625 - $17.875 Exercised (33,400) $ 7.750 Canceled or expired (84,835) $16.625 - $20.250 ---------- Outstanding at December 31, 1993 1,564,336 $ 7.750 - $20.250 Granted 2,042,000 $ 7.690 - $13.875 Exercised (11,125) $ 7.690 - $ 7.750 Canceled or expired (70,001) $13.875 - $20.250 ---------- Outstanding at December 31, 1994 3,525,210 $ 7.690 - $20.250 ========== Exercisable at December 31, 1994 2,014,025 $ 7.690 - $20.250 ========== 13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES The Company is involved in certain claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, based upon the advice of counsel, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the financial position or results of operations of the Company. For all insurance coverages prior to May 7, 1991, the Company paid Revlon a predetermined amount each year, based upon the Company's historical loss experience and other relevant factors, in respect of the Company's share of the self-insured risks and risks insured by outside insurance carriers, in each case applicable to Revlon and its subsidiaries. Regardless of the Company's and Revlon's actual loss experience, the Company will not be required to pay Revlon amounts in excess of the Company's predetermined share of such liability for losses incurred before May 7, 1991. F-20 NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued) (Dollars in Millions) Under the Company's present insurance programs, coverage is obtained for catastrophic exposures as well as those risks required to be insured by law or contract. The Company is responsible for the uninsured portion of losses occurring on or after May 7, 1991 related primarily to general, product and vehicle liability and workers' compensation. The self-insured retentions are on a per occurrence basis without any aggregate annual limit. Provisions for losses expected under these programs are recorded based upon the Company's estimates of the aggregated liability of claims incurred. At December 31, 1994 and 1993, the Company had provided letters of credit aggregating approximately $4.9 and $3.7, respectively, in connection with certain insurance programs. During 1991, the Company guaranteed a $9.0, 5 year loan to a third party for construction of a new laboratory to replace one of the Company's existing facilities. Following its completion in November of 1992, the building was leased to the Company by this third party. Such transaction is treated as a capital lease for financial reporting purposes. The associated lease term continues for a period of 15 years, expiring in 2007. Under the terms of this guarantee, as modified, the Company is required to maintain 105% of the outstanding loan balance including any overdue interest as collateral in a custody account established and maintained at the lending institution. As of December 31, 1994 and 1993, the Company had placed $9.5 of investments in the custody account. Such investments are included under the caption "Other assets, net" in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company does not anticipate incurring any loss as a result of this loan guarantee due to protection provided by the terms of the lease. Accordingly, the Company, if required to repay the loan upon default of the borrower (and ultimate lessor), is entitled to a rent abatement equivalent to the amount of repayment made by the Company on the borrower's behalf, plus interest thereon at a rate equal to 2% over the prime rate. The Company has a contract for the purchase of telephone services through 1999. The total purchase commitment is $30.0 with minimum purchases of $6.0 per year. F-21 NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued) (Dollars in Millions) The Company leases various facilities and equipment under non-cancelable lease arrangements. Future minimum rental commitments for leases with noncancelable terms of one year or more from December 31, 1994 are as follows: Operating Capital --------- ------- 1995 $ 19.5 $ 1.2 1996 16.4 1.3 1997 14.1 1.4 1998 12.1 1.5 1999 11.0 1.6 Thereafter 40.4 16.9 --------- ------- Total minimum lease payments 113.5 23.9 Less amount representing interest -- 14.1 --------- ------- Total minimum operating lease payments and present value of minimum capital lease payments $113.5 $ 9.8 ========= ======= Rental expense, which includes rent for real estate, equipment and automobiles under operating leases, amounted to $34.6, $29.9 and $27.0 for the years ended December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992, respectively. 14. RETIREMENT PLANS The Company maintains a defined contribution pension plan for all eligible employees. Eligible employees are defined as individuals who are age 21 or older and have been employed by the Company for at least six consecutive months and completed 1,000 hours of service. Company contributions to the plan are based on a percentage of employee contributions. The cost of this plan was $3.6, $3.0, and $2.5 in 1994, 1993, and 1992, respectively. In addition, substantially all employees of NHLI are covered by a defined benefit retirement plan (the "Plan"). The benefits to be paid under the Plan are based on years of credited service and average final compensation. Employees of Allied become eligible under the Plan effective January 1, 1995. Effective December 31, 1994, the Company adopted certain amendments to the Plan which resulted in a decrease of approximately $9.5 million in the projected benefit obligation. F-22 NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued) (Dollars in Millions) Under the requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87, "Employers Accounting for Pensions", the Company recorded an additional minimum pension liability representing the excess accumulated benefit obligation over plan assets at December 31, 1993. A corresponding amount was recognized as an intangible asset to the extent of unrecognized prior service cost, with the balance recorded as a separate reduction of stockholders' equity. The Company recorded an additional liability of $3.0, an intangible asset of $0.6, and a reduction of stockholders' equity of $2.4. Such amounts were eliminated as a result of the amendments to the Plan effective December 31, 1994. The components of net periodic pension cost are summarized as follows: Years ended December 31, -------------- 1994 1993 ----- ----- Service cost $ 5.5 $ 3.7 Interest cost 3.5 2.6 Actual return on plan assets 0.1 (1.3) Net amortization and deferral (1.4) 0.4 ------ ----- Net periodic pension cost $ 7.7 $ 5.4 ====== ===== F-23 NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued) (Dollars in Millions, except per share data) The status of the Plan is as follows: December 31, 1994 1993 ----- ----- Actuarial present value of benefit obligations: Vested benefits $26.6 $25.0 Non-vested benefits 3.5 4.0 ----- ----- Accumulated benefit obligation 30.1 29.0 Effect of projected future salary increases 1.9 13.9 ----- ----- Projected benefit obligation 32.0 42.9 Fair value of plan assets 31.6 24.2 ----- ----- Unfunded projected benefit obligation (0.4) (18.7) Unrecognized prior service cost (9.7) 0.5 Unrecognized net loss 8.4 16.3 Additional minimum liability -- (3.0) ----- ----- Accrued pension cost $(1.7) $(4.9) ===== ===== Assumptions used in the accounting for the Plan were: 1994 1993 ------ ------ Weighted average discount rate 8.5% 7.0% Weighted average rate of increase in future compensation levels 4.0% 5.5% Weighted average expected long-term rate of return 9.0% 9.0% F-24 NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued) (Dollars in Millions, except per share data) 15. SALE OF SUBSIDIARY On December 30, 1994, the Company completed the sale of Reference Pathology Laboratory, Inc. and subsidiary ("RPL"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Allied, for cash of approximately $10.1 and a note receivable of $0.5. No gain or loss was recognized on the sale. The net cash proceeds from the sale were used to repay a portion of long-term debt. In connection with the agreement of sale, the Company will refer certain tests to RPL in an amount not less than $2.3 per year for five years based on agreed upon fees. 16. DIVIDENDS On December 15, 1993, the Company declared a quarterly dividend in the aggregate amount of approximately $6.8 ($0.08 per share), which was paid on January 25, 1994 to holders of record of common stock at the close of business on January 4, 1994. Such dividend was paid entirely with cash on hand. 17. QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED) The following is a summary of unaudited quarterly data: Year Ended December 31, 1994 ------------------------------------------- 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Total -------- -------- -------- -------- ------- Net sales $185.0 $203.9 $248.7 $234.9 $872.5 Gross profit 52.7 67.4 81.0 74.4 275.5 Net earnings 8.1 14.1 0.2 7.7 30.1 Earnings per common share 0.10 0.16 -- 0.10 0.36 Year Ended December 31, 1993 ------------------------------------------ 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Total ------- -------- -------- -------- ------- Net sales $199.8 $197.0 $194.8 $168.9 $760.5 Gross profit 90.7 89.2 85.2 50.9 316.0 Net earnings 33.6 33.2 38.2 7.7 112.7 Earnings per common share 0.36 0.37 0.43 0.10 1.26 F-25 NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued) (Dollars in Millions, except per share data) In the third quarter of 1994, the Company approved a settlement of previously disclosed shareholder class and derivative litigation. In connection with the settlement, the Company took a pre-tax special charge of $15.0 and a $6.0 charge for expenses related to the settled litigation. In the fourth quarter of 1994, the Company took a non- recurring charge of approximately $3.9 for lease costs and the write-off of leasehold improvements related to the relocation of certain of the Company's regional laboratories. Expense reimbursement and termination fees received in connection with the Company's attempt to purchase Damon Corporation, less related expenses and the write-off of certain bank financing costs, resulted in a one-time pre-tax gain of $15.3 in the third quarter of 1993. Medicare's denial of claims for ferritin and HDL tests, which began in September 1993 and continued through December 20, 1993 when the Company introduced new test forms and procedures, and related suspended billings reduced net sales and gross profit by $18.6 in the fourth quarter of 1993. 18. MERGER AGREEMENT The Company has entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of December 13, 1994 (the"Merger Agreement") with HLR Holdings Inc. ("HLR"), Roche Biomedical Laboratories, Inc. ("RBL"), and (for the purposes set forth therein) Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. ("Roche") providing for, among other things, the merger of RBL with and into the Company with the Company as the surviving corporation (the "Merger"), and pursuant to which, subject to certain exceptions, each outstanding share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company, will be converted into (i) 0.72 of a share of common stock of the Company and (ii) the right to receive $5.60 in cash, without interest. In addition, all shares of common stock, no par value, of RBL issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger (other than treasury shares, which will be canceled) will be converted into, and become, that number of newly issued shares of Company common stock as would, in the aggregate and after giving effect to the Merger and the Company common stock owned by HLR, RBL and their subsidiaries immediately after the effective time of the Merger, equal 49.9% of the total number of shares of F-26 NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued) (Dollars in Millions, except per share data) Company common stock outstanding immediately after the effective time of the Merger (after giving effect to the issuance of Company common stock in respect of the Company employee stock options in connections with the Merger). In connection with the Merger, the Company currently intends to declare a dividend, payable to holders of record of shares of Company common stock as of the third business day prior to the date of the special meeting of the stockholders to consider and vote on the Merger, which dividend will consist of 0.16308 of a warrant per outstanding share of Company common stock, each such warrant (a "Warrant") representing the right to purchase one newly issued share of Company common stock for $22.00 (subject to adjustments) on the fifth anniversary of the issuance of the Warrant. In addition, the Merger Agreement provides for the issuance to and purchase by Roche, for a purchase price of approximately $51,048,900, of 8,325,000 Warrants to purchase shares of Company common stock (the "Roche Warrants"), which Warrants will have the terms described in the preceding sentence. The aggregate cash consideration of approximately $474.7 to be paid to stockholders of the Company in the Merger will be financed from three sources: a cash contribution by the Company of approximately $288.0 out of proceeds of borrowings by the Company in an equal amount, a cash contribution to be made by HLR in the amount of approximately $135.7 and the proceeds from the issuance of the Roche Warrants. The Company has obtained a commitment for a credit facility, which will include a term loan facility of not more than $800.0 and a revolving credit facility of not more than $400.0, to refinance the Company's existing indebtedness and to finance the Company's portion of the total cash consideration to the paid to stockholders of the Company in the Merger. The specific terms and conditions of the credit facility are currently under negotiation. Restructuring costs of approximately $84.0 million are expected to be recorded by the Company at the close of the Merger. These costs will reflect the write-off of deferred financing costs related to the repayment of the Company's existing revolving credit facility and term loan facility entered into in connection with the Allied Acquisition financing and the creation of reserves for severance and benefit costs, costs for office facilities expected to be closed, vacant space costs, systems conversion costs and other restructuring expenses of the Company associated with the Merger. F-27
Schedule VIII NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES Years Ended December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992 (Dollars in Millions) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Balance Charged Other at to costs (Deduct- Balance beginning and ions) at end of year Acquisitions expenses Additions of year - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Year ended December 31, 1994: Applied against asset accounts: Contractual allowances and allowance for doubtful accounts $ 51.0 $ 18.5 $110.0 $(95.7) $ 65.3 ====== ====== ====== ======= ====== Year ended December 31, 1993 Applied against asset accounts: Contractual allowances and allowance for doubtful accounts $ 72.9 - $ 55.1 $(77.0) $ 51.0 ====== ====== ====== ======= ====== Year ended December 31, 1992: Applied against asset accounts: Contractual allowances and allowance for doubtful accounts $ 63.0 - $ 75.2 $(65.3) $ 72.9 ====== ====== ======= ======== ====== F-28 APPENDIX A NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH A narrative description of the graphic presentation of the stock performance graph required by Item 402(1) of Regulation S-K is included in Part III, Item 11 "EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION" of this Form 10-K.
EXHIBIT 2.4

                                                            CONFORMED COPY










                             AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

                                     dated as of

                                  December 13, 1994

                                        among

                     National Health Laboratories Holdings Inc.,

                                  HLR Holdings Inc.

                                         and

                         Roche Biomedical Laboratories, Inc. 
 





                                  TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                      ARTICLE 1
                                      THE MERGER

             SECTION 1.1.   The Merger  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2
             SECTION 1.2.   Conversion of Shares  . . . . . . . . . . .   2
             SECTION 1.3.   Surrender and Payment   . . . . . . . . . .   4
             SECTION 1.4.   Warrants  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5
             SECTION 1.5.   Stock Options   . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6


                                      ARTICLE 2
                              THE SURVIVING CORPORATION

             SECTION 2.1.   Certificate of Incorporation  . . . . . . .   7
             SECTION 2.2.   Bylaws  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
             SECTION 2.3.   Directors and Officers  . . . . . . . . . .   7


                                      ARTICLE 3
                        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF NHL

             SECTION 3.1.   Corporate Existence and Power.  . . . . . .   8
             SECTION 3.2.   Corporate Authorization.  . . . . . . . . .   8
             SECTION 3.3.   Governmental Authorization.   . . . . . . .   8
             SECTION 3.4.   Non-Contravention   . . . . . . . . . . . .   9
             SECTION 3.5.   Capitalization  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9
             SECTION 3.6.   Subsidiaries.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10
             SECTION 3.7.   SEC Filings   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  11
             SECTION 3.8.   Financial Statements.   . . . . . . . . . .  11
             SECTION 3.9.   Disclosure Documents.   . . . . . . . . . .  11
             SECTION 3.10.  Absence of Certain Changes  . . . . . . . .  12
             SECTION 3.11.  No Undisclosed Material Liabilities   . . .  13
             SECTION 3.12.  Litigation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  14
             SECTION 3.13.  Taxes   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  14
             SECTION 3.14.  ERISA   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  15
             SECTION 3.15.  Compliance with Laws; Permits   . . . . . .  18
             SECTION 3.16.  Finders' Fees   . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18
             SECTION 3.17.  Other Information   . . . . . . . . . . . .  18
             SECTION 3.18.  Environmental Matters   . . . . . . . . . .  18
             SECTION 3.19.  Takeover Statutes.  . . . . . . . . . . . .  20
             SECTION 3.20.  Opinion of Financial Advisor  . . . . . . .  20
             SECTION 3.21.  Vote Required   . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  20


                                      ARTICLE 4
                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF HLR AND RBL

             SECTION 4.1.   Corporate Existence and Power   . . . . . .  21
             SECTION 4.2.   Corporate Authorization   . . . . . . . . .  21
             SECTION 4.3.   Governmental Authorization  . . . . . . . .  21
             SECTION 4.4.   Non-Contravention   . . . . . . . . . . . .  21
             SECTION 4.5.   Capitalization of RBL   . . . . . . . . . .  22
             SECTION 4.6.   Subsidiaries  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22
             SECTION 4.7.   Financial Statements  . . . . . . . . . . .  23
             SECTION 4.8.   Disclosure Documents  . . . . . . . . . . .  23
             SECTION 4.9.   Absence of Certain Changes  . . . . . . . .  23
             SECTION 4.10.  No Undisclosed Material Liabilities   . . .  25
             SECTION 4.11.  Litigation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25
             SECTION 4.12.  Taxes   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25
             SECTION 4.13.  ERISA   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  26
             SECTION 4.14.  Compliance with Laws; Permits   . . . . . .  29
             SECTION 4.15.  Finders' Fees   . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29
             SECTION 4.16.  Environmental Matters   . . . . . . . . . .  29
             SECTION 4.17.  HLR Cash Consideration  . . . . . . . . . .  30
             SECTION 4.18.  Takeover Statutes   . . . . . . . . . . . .  30
             SECTION 4.19.  Ownership of NHL Shares   . . . . . . . . .  31


                                      ARTICLE 5
                                   COVENANTS OF NHL

             SECTION 5.1.   Conduct of NHL  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
             SECTION 5.2.   Stockholder Meeting; Proxy Material;
                Registration Statement; Stock Exchange Listing. . . . .  32
             SECTION 5.3.   Access to Information; Confidentiality  . .  33
             SECTION 5.4.   Other Offers  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  34
             SECTION 5.5.   Notices of Certain Events   . . . . . . . .  35
             SECTION 5.6.   Tax Matters   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  35
             SECTION 5.7.   Board Composition   . . . . . . . . . . . .  36


                                      ARTICLE 6
                               COVENANTS OF HLR AND RBL

             SECTION 6.1.   Conduct of RBL  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  36
             SECTION 6.2.   Access to Information; Confidentiality  . .  37
             SECTION 6.3.   Voting of Shares  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  38
             SECTION 6.4.   Notices of Certain Events   . . . . . . . .  38
             SECTION 6.5.   Tax Matters   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  39
             SECTION 6.6.   NHL Employment Agreements.  . . . . . . . .  39
             SECTION 6.7.   Certain Actions Regarding RBL   . . . . . .  39


                                      ARTICLE 7
                            COVENANTS OF HLR, RBL AND NHL

             SECTION 7.1.   Reasonable Efforts  . . . . . . . . . . . .  40
             SECTION 7.2.   Cash Consideration  . . . . . . . . . . . .  40
             SECTION 7.3.   Public Announcements  . . . . . . . . . . .  41
             SECTION 7.4.   Further Assurances  . . . . . . . . . . . .  41
             SECTION 7.5.   HLR Stockholder Agreement   . . . . . . . .  41
             SECTION 7.6.   Indemnification and Insurance   . . . . . .  41


                                      ARTICLE 8
                                     TAX MATTERS

             SECTION 8.1.   Definitions   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  42
             SECTION 8.2.   Tax Covenants   . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  42
             SECTION 8.3.   Termination of Existing Tax Sharing
                         Agreements   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  44
             SECTION 8.4.   Tax Sharing   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  44
             SECTION 8.5.   Cooperation on Tax Matters  . . . . . . . .  47


                                      ARTICLE 9
                               CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER

             SECTION 9.1.   Conditions to the Obligations of Each Party  47
             SECTION 9.2.   Conditions to the Obligations of HLR and RBL 48
             SECTION 9.3.   Conditions to the Obligations of NHL  . . .  49


                                      ARTICLE 10
                                     TERMINATION

             SECTION 10.1.  Termination   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  50
             SECTION 10.2.  Effect of Termination   . . . . . . . . . .  51


                                      ARTICLE 11
                                    MISCELLANEOUS

             SECTION 11.1.  Notices   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  52
             SECTION 11.2.  Survival of Agreements and Representations
                         and Warranties   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  52
             SECTION 11.3.  Amendments; No Waivers  . . . . . . . . . .  53
             SECTION 11.4.  Fees and Expenses   . . . . . . . . . . . .  53
             SECTION 11.5.  Successors and Assigns  . . . . . . . . . .  53
             SECTION 11.6.  Governing Law   . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  54
             SECTION 11.7.  Counterparts; Effectiveness   . . . . . . .  54
             SECTION 11.8.  Certain Definitions   . . . . . . . . . . .  54
             SECTION 11.9.  Agreements of Roche   . . . . . . . . . . .  54



             Exhibit A -Form of HLR Stockholder Agreement

             Exhibit B -Form of NHL Representations Letter

             Exhibit C -Form of HLR Representations Letter

             Exhibit D -Form of RBL/HLR Tax Opinion

             Exhibit E -Form of NHL Tax Opinion

             This Table of Contents is not a part of this Agreement.



                               TABLE OF DEFINED TERMS



                  Term                                            Section

             1933 Act  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3.3
             1934 Act  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3.3
             Acquisition Proposal  . . . . . . . . . . . .  5.4(a)(ii)(B)
             Adjusted Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.5(b)
             Affiliate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  11.8(a)
             Anti-dilution Adjustment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.2(b)
             Borrowed Funds  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.7(a)
             Cash Consideration  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.2(a)
             Cash Consideration Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.3(a)
             CERCLA  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.18(e)(iii)
             Certificates  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.3(b)
             Code  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Recitals, page 1
             Conversion Consideration  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.2(a)
             Conversion Number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.5(b)
             CS Commitment Letter  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7.2
             Delaware Law  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Recitals, page 1
             Dissenting Shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.2(e)
             Dissenting Stockholder  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.2(e)
             Effective Time  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.1(b)
             Employee Stock Options  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.5(a)
             Environmental Laws  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.18(e)(i)
             ERISA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3.14(a)
             ERISA Affiliate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3.14(a)(ii)
             Exchange Agent  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.3(a)
             Excess Shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.2(d)(ii)
             Exon-Florio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4.3
             Expiration Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.4(a)
             Fractional Shares Fund  . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.2(d)(ii)
             GAAP  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3.8
             Hazardous Substances  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3.18(e)(ii)
             HLR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Recitals, page 1
             HLR Adverse Condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.2(d)(iv)
             HLR Cash Consideration  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.3(a)
             HLR Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8.1
             HLR-NHL Shares  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.2(b)
             HLR Number  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.2(b)
             HLR Representations Letter  . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.2(i)
             HLR Stockholder Agreement . . . . . . . . . Recitals, page 1
             HLR/RBL Post-Signing Returns  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6.5
             HSR Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3.3
             HSR Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10.1(g)
             IRS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3.13(h)
             known to  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.8
             Liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.11
             Lien  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3.4
             Merger  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Recitals, page 1
             MF & Co.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Recitals, page 1
             Morgan Stanley  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.16
             Multiemployer Plan  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.14(b)(i)
             Net Debt Amount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.7(a)
             NHCG  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Recitals, page 1
             NHL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Recitals, page 1
             NHL Adverse Condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.3(d)(ii)
             NHL Benefit Arrangements  . . . . . . . . . . . 3.14(e)(iii)
             NHL Cash Consideration  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.3(a)
             NHL Common Stock  . . . . . . . . . . . . . Recitals, page 1
             NHL Disclosure Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Article 3
             NHL Employee Plans  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3.14(a)(ii)
             NHL Environmental Liabilities . . . . . . . . .  3.18(d)(ii)
             NHL Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8.1
             NHL Material Adverse Change . . . . . . . . . . . .  3.10(a)
             NHL Material Adverse Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3.1
             NHL Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3.15(b)
             NHL Post-Signing Returns  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5.6
             NHL Preferred Stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3.5
             NHL Proxy Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.9(a)
             NHL Representations Letter  . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.2(h)
             NHL Retirement Plans  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3.14(b)(ii)
             NHL Returns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3.13(a)
             NHL Securities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3.5
             NHL Share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.2(a)
             NHL Share Conversion  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.2(a)
             NHL Stockholder Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5.2
             NHL Subsidiary Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.6(b)(ii)
             NLRB  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3.14(h)
             Notice of Superior Proposal . . . . . . . . . .  5.4(b)(iii)
             NYSE  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.2(d)(ii)
             Option Cash Amount  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.5(a)(ii)
             Option Conversion Number  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.5(b)
             Option Stock Amount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.5(a)(ii)
             Option Value Amount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.5(a)(ii)
             Person  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  11.8(c)
             Post-Merger Tax Period  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8.1
             Pre-Merger Tax Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8.1
             Pro Forma Balance Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.7(a)
             RIAS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4.7
             RBL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Recitals, page 1
             RBL Balance Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4.7
             RBL Balance Sheet Date  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4.7
             RBL Benefit Arrangements  . . . . . . . . . . . 4.13(e)(iii)
             RBL Disclosure Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Article 4
             RBL Employee Plans  . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.13(a)(ii)(B)
             RBL Environmental Liabilities . . . . . . . . .  4.16(d)(ii)
             RBL Financial Statements  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4.7
             RBL Material Adverse Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.9(a)
             RBL Material Adverse Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4.1
             RBL Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4.14(b)
             RBL Retirement Plans  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4.13(b)(ii)
             RBL Returns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4.12(a)
             RBL Subsidiary Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.6(b)(ii)
             Registration Statement  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.9(a)
             Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.18(e)(iii)
             Released  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.18(e)(iii)
             Roche . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Recitals, page 1
             Roche Warrant Consideration . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.3(a)
             Roche Warrants  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.3(a)
             SEC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3.1
             SEC Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.7(a)
             Share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.2(b)
             Sharing and Call Option Agreement . . . . . Recitals, page 1
             Significant Subsidiary  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3.1
             Subsidiary  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3.1
             Superior Proposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5.4(b)(iii)
             Surviving Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.1(a)
             Tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.13
             Tax Sharing Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8.1
             to the knowledge of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.8
             Warrant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.4(a)
             Warrant Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.4(a)

             This Table of Defined Terms is not part of the Agreement.

                             AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER



                  AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER dated as of December 13,
             1994 among National Health Laboratories Holdings Inc., a
             Delaware corporation ("NHL" and for purposes of this
             Agreement references to NHL shall be deemed to include, as
             appropriate in the context, National Health Laboratories
             Inc., a Delaware corporation which is NHL's predecessor in
             interest), HLR Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation
             ("HLR"), and Roche Biomedical Laboratories, Inc. a New
             Jersey corporation and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of
             HLR ("RBL") and for the purposes of Sections 1.4(b) and
             11.9, Hoffmann-La Roche Inc., a New Jersey corporation
             ("Roche").

                  WHEREAS, the respective Boards of Directors of HLR, RBL
             and NHL have approved the merger of RBL with and into NHL
             (the "Merger") upon the terms and subject to the conditions
             of this Agreement and in accordance with the General
             Corporation Law of the State of Delaware ("Delaware Law");
             and

                  WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of NHL has determined
             that the Merger is fair to, and in the best interests of,
             the holders of NHL common stock, par value $0.01 per share
             ("NHL Common Stock"), and has approved this Agreement, the
             Sharing and Call Option Agreement dated the date hereof
             among HLR, National Health Care Group, Inc. ("NHCG"), a
             Delaware corporation, which is a significant stockholder of
             NHL, and Mafco Holdings Inc., the ultimate parent company of
             NHCG (the "Sharing and Call Option Agreement") and the HLR
             Stockholder Agreement to be entered into immediately prior
             to the Merger by HLR and NHL which agreement shall be
             substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (the "HLR
             Stockholder Agreement") and the transactions contemplated
             hereby and thereby, and recommended approval and adoption of
             this Agreement and such transactions by the stockholders of
             NHL; and

                  WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of RBL has determined
             that the Merger is fair to, and in the best interests of,
             RBL and HLR, and has approved this Agreement, and the
             transactions contemplated hereby and the Board of Directors
             of HLR has approved and adopted this Agreement and has
             approved the HLR Stockholder Agreement and the Sharing and
             Call Option Agreement and the transactions contemplated
             hereby and thereby; and

                  WHEREAS, the parties intend that the Merger qualify as
             a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(i) of
             the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code");
             and  

                  WHEREAS, in connection with the Merger, a portion of
             each share of NHL Common Stock will be converted into the
             right to receive $5.60 in cash in a transaction constituting
             a redemption within the meaning of Section 317(b) of the
             Code; and

                  NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and
             the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the
             parties hereto agree as follows:



                                      ARTICLE 1
                                      THE MERGER

                  SECTION 1.1.   The Merger.  (a)  Upon the terms and
             subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, and
             in accordance with Delaware Law, RBL shall be merged with
             and into NHL at the Effective Time (as defined in Section
             1.1(b)), whereupon the separate existence of RBL shall
             cease, and NHL shall be the surviving corporation (the
             "Surviving Corporation").

                  (b)  As soon as practicable after satisfaction or, to
             the extent permitted hereunder, waiver of all conditions to
             the Merger, NHL and RBL will file a certificate of merger,
             in the form required by and executed in accordance with
             Delaware Law, with the Secretary of State of the State of
             Delaware and make all other filings or recordings required
             by Delaware Law in connection with the Merger.  The Merger
             shall become effective at such time as the certificate of
             merger is duly filed with the Secretary of State of the
             State of Delaware, which shall be as soon as practicable
             following the NHL Stockholder Meeting (as defined in Section
             5.2 hereof) (the "Effective Time").

                  (c)  From and after the Effective Time, the Surviving
             Corporation shall possess all the rights, privileges, powers
             and franchises and be subject to all of the restrictions,
             disabilities and duties of NHL and RBL, all as provided
             under Delaware Law.

                  SECTION 1.2.   Conversion of Shares.  At the Effective
             Time:

                  (a)  each share of NHL Common Stock (each an "NHL
             Share") issued and outstanding prior to the Effective Time
             (other than any NHL Shares held by RBL, HLR or any
             Subsidiary) (as defined in Section 3.1) shall, subject to
             Section 1.2(d) be converted into (x) 0.72 of an NHL Share
             and (y) the right to receive $5.60 in cash without interest
             thereon (the "Cash Consideration" and, together with the NHL
             Shares to be issued pursuant to (x) above, the "Conversion
             Consideration"; such conversion is referred to herein as the
             "NHL Share Conversion");

                  (b)  all RBL common shares, no par value (each a
             "Share" and collectively the "Shares"), outstanding
             immediately prior to the Effective Time shall (except as
             provided in Section 1.2(c)) be converted into and become, in
             the aggregate, the HLR Number (as defined below) of NHL
             Shares, newly issued as contemplated by this Agreement (the
             "HLR-NHL Shares"), each such HLR-NHL Share having the same
             rights, powers and privileges as an NHL Share outstanding
             immediately prior to the Effective Time.  The "HLR Number"
             shall be that number of NHL Shares as would, in the
             aggregate and after giving effect to the Merger (including
             issuance of the HLR-NHL Shares and the NHL Share Conversion)
             and the number of NHL Shares held by HLR or any Affiliate
             immediately prior to the Merger, equal 49.9% of the total
             number of NHL Shares which would be outstanding immediately
             after the Effective Time (after giving effect to the
             issuance under such Section 1.5 of NHL Shares in respect of
             Employee Stock Options (as defined in Section 1.5(a)).  If
             between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time,
             the outstanding shares of NHL Common Stock shall have been
             changed into a different number of shares or a different
             class, by reason of any stock dividend, subdivision,
             reclassification, recapitalization, split, combination or
             exchange of shares, the HLR Number shall be correspondingly
             adjusted to reflect such stock dividend, subdivision,
             classification, recapitalization, split, combination or
             exchange of shares (any such adjustment being referred to
             herein as an "Anti-dilution Adjustment"); and

                  (c)  each Share held by RBL, HLR or any Subsidiary
             thereof as treasury stock immediately prior to the Effective
             Time shall be canceled and no payment or issuance of a HLR-
             NHL Share shall be made with respect thereto;

                  (d)  no certificates or scrip representing less than
             one share of NHL Common Stock shall be issued upon the
             surrender for exchange of Certificates pursuant to Section
             1.2.  In lieu of any such fractional share, each holder of a
             Certificate who would otherwise have been entitled to a
             fraction of a share of NHL Common Stock upon surrender of
             Certificates for exchange pursuant to Section 1.2 shall be
             paid upon such surrender cash (without interest) in an
             amount equal to such holder's proportionate interest in the
             net proceeds from the sale or sales in the open market by
             the Exchange Agent, (as defined in Section 1.3) on behalf of
             all such holders, of the aggregate fractional NHL Common
             Stock issued pursuant to this Section 1.2(d).  As soon as
             practicable following the Effective Time, the Exchange Agent
             shall determine the excess of (i) the number of full shares
             of NHL Common Stock delivered to the Exchange Agent by NHL
             over (ii) the sum of the number of full shares of NHL Common
             Stock to be distributed to each holder of Certificates (such
             excess being herein called the "Excess Shares"), and the
             Exchange Agent, as agent for the former holders of
             Certificates, shall sell the Excess Shares at the prevailing
             prices on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. ("NYSE").  The
             sales of the Excess Shares by the Exchange Agent shall be
             executed on the NYSE through one or more member firms of the
             NYSE and shall be executed in round lots to the extent
             practicable.  NHL shall pay all commissions, transfer taxes
             and other out-of-pocket transaction costs, including the
             expenses and compensation of the Exchange Agent, incurred in
             connection with such sale of Excess Shares.  Until the net
             proceeds of such sale have been distributed to the holders
             of Certificates, the Exchange Agent will hold such proceeds
             in trust for such former holders of Certificates (the
             "Fractional Shares Fund").  As soon as practicable after the
             determination of the amount of cash to be paid to holders of
             certificates in lieu of any fractional interests, the
             Exchange Agent shall make available in accordance with this
             Agreement such amounts to such holders of Certificates;

                  (e)  notwithstanding anything in this Agreement, any
             issued and outstanding NHL Shares held by a person who
             objects to the Merger (a "Dissenting Stockholder") and
             complies with all the provisions of  Delaware Law concerning
             the right of holders NHL Shares to dissent from the Merger
             and require appraisal of their NHL Shares ("Dissenting
             Shares") shall not be converted as described in Section
             1.2(a) but shall become the right to receive such
             consideration as may be determined to be due to such
             Dissenting Stockholder pursuant to Delaware Law.  If, after
             the Effective Time, such Dissenting Stockholder withdraws
             his demand for appraisal or fails to perfect or otherwise
             loses his right to appraisal, in any case pursuant to
             Delaware Law, his NHL Shares shall be deemed to be converted
             as of the Effective Time into the Conversion Consideration. 
             NHL shall give HLR (i) prompt notice of any demands for
             appraisal of NHL Shares received by NHL and (ii) the
             opportunity to participate in and direct all negotiations
             and proceedings with respect to any such demands.  NHL shall
             not, without the prior written consent of HLR, make any
             payment with respect to, or settle, offer to settle or
             otherwise negotiate, any such demands.

                  SECTION 1.3.   Surrender and Payment.  (a)  Prior to
             the Effective Time, HLR and NHL shall appoint a mutually
             acceptable bank or trust company as agent (the "Exchange
             Agent") for the purpose of exchanging certificates in
             connection with the NHL Share Conversion in accordance with
             the terms of this Agreement.  At or prior to the Effective
             Time, HLR shall deposit in trust with the Exchange Agent
             $135,651,100 (the  "HLR Cash Consideration").  At or prior
             to the Effective Time, Roche shall provide to NHL
             $51,048,900 (the "Roche Warrant Consideration") in respect
             of Roche's purchase of 8,325,000 Warrants (as defined in
             Section 1.4(a)) pursuant to Section 1.4(b) (the "Roche
             Warrants").  At or prior to the Effective Time, NHL shall,
             subject to Section 7.2, deposit in trust with the Exchange
             Agent (x) $288,000,000 (the "NHL Cash Consideration") and
             (y) the Roche Warrant Consideration received from Roche. 
             The HLR Cash Consideration, the NHL Cash Consideration and
             the Roche Warrant Consideration are referred to collectively
             as (the "Cash Consideration Fund").  The Exchange Agent
             shall, pursuant to irrevocable instructions, deliver the
             Cash Consideration contemplated to be issued as part of the
             NHL Share Conversion out of the Cash Consideration Fund. 
             The Cash Consideration Fund shall not be used for any other
             purpose.

                  (b)  As soon as reasonably practicable after the
             Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall cause the
             Exchange Agent to mail to each holder of record of a
             certificate or certificates which immediately prior to the
             Effective Time represented outstanding shares of NHL Shares
             (the "Certificates") (i) a letter of transmittal (which
             shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of
             loss and title to the Certificates shall pass, only upon
             delivery of the Certificates to the Exchange Agent and shall
             be in such form and have such other provisions as NHL may
             reasonably specify) and (ii) instructions for use in
             effecting the surrender of the Certificates in exchange for
             certificates representing the NHL Shares and Cash
             Consideration into which such Certificates shall have been
             converted pursuant to the NHL Share Conversion.  Upon
             surrender of a Certificate for cancellation to the Exchange
             Agent or to such other agent or agents as may be appointed
             by NHL, together with such letter of transmittal, duly
             executed, and such other documents as may reasonably be
             required by the Exchange Agent, the holder of such
             Certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange
             therefor a certificate representing that number of NHL
             Shares and the Cash Consideration which such holder has the
             right to receive pursuant to the provisions of this
             Article 1 (and cash, if any, in lieu of fractional shares
             pursuant to Section 1.2(d)).  In the event of a transfer of
             ownership of NHL Shares which is not registered in the
             transfer records of NHL, a certificate representing the
             proper number of shares of NHL Shares may be issued and the
             Cash Consideration may be paid (and cash, if any, in lieu of
             fractional shares) to a Person other than the Person in
             whose name the Certificate so surrendered is registered, if
             such Certificate shall be properly endorsed or otherwise be
             in proper form for transfer and the Person requesting such
             payment shall pay any transfer or other taxes required by
             reason of the issuance of NHL Shares and payment of Cash
             Consideration (and cash, if any, in lieu of fractional
             shares) to a Person other than the registered holder of such
             Certificate or establish to the satisfaction of HLR that
             such tax has been paid or is not applicable.  Until
             surrendered as contemplated by this Section 1.3, each
             Certificate shall be deemed at any time after the Effective
             Time to represent only the number of NHL Shares and the
             right to receive Cash Consideration (and cash, if any, in
             lieu of fractional shares) to which such holder is entitled
             pursuant to the NHL Share Conversion, and the holder of such
             Certificate shall cease to have any rights with respect to
             the number of NHL Shares represented by such Certificate
             immediately prior to the Effective Time in excess of the
             number of NHL Shares to which such holder is entitled
             pursuant to the NHL Share Conversion except as otherwise
             provided herein or by law.  No interest will be paid or will
             accrue on any Conversion Consideration (or cash, if any,
             payable in lieu of fractional shares).

                  (c)  From and after the Effective Time, there shall be
             no further registration of transfers of Certificates.

                  (d)  The Cash Consideration Fund and the Fractional
             Shares Fund shall be invested by the Exchange Agent as
             directed by HLR in consultation with the Surviving
             Corporation (so long as such directions do not impair the
             rights of the holders of NHL Shares) in direct obligations
             of the United States of America, obligations for which the
             full faith and credit of the United States of America is
             pledged to provide for the payment of principal and
             interest, commercial paper rated of the highest quality by
             Moody's Investors Services, Inc. or Standard & Poor's
             Corporation or certificates of deposit issued by a
             commercial bank having combined capital, surplus and
             undivided profits aggregating at least $500,000,000
             (provided that no such investment made prior to the
             thirtieth day after the Effective Time shall mature more
             than seven days after such investment is made), and any net
             earnings with respect thereto shall be paid to the Surviving
             Corporation as and when requested by the Surviving
             Corporation.

                  (e)  Any portion of the Cash Consideration Fund and the
             Fractional Shares Fund which remains undistributed six
             months after the Effective Time shall be delivered to the
             Surviving Corporation upon demand, and any holders of such
             NHL Shares who have not theretofore complied with this
             Article 1 shall thereafter look only to the Surviving
             Corporation for the Cash Consideration (and cash, if any,
             payable in lieu of fractional shares) to which they are
             entitled.

                  (f)  Neither HLR nor the Surviving Corporation shall be
             liable to any holder of NHL Shares for any such Cash
             Consideration (or cash, if any, payable in lieu of
             fractional shares) or any certificates for any NHL Shares
             delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable
             abandoned property, escheat or similar law.

                  (g)  The Surviving Corporation shall be entitled to
             deduct and withhold from the Cash Consideration (and cash,
             if any, payable in lieu of fractional shares) otherwise
             payable pursuant to this Agreement to any holder of NHL
             Shares such amounts as the Surviving Corporation is required
             to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such
             payment under the Code, or any provision of state, local or
             foreign tax law.  To the extent that amounts are so
             withheld, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all
             purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the holder
             of such NHL Shares in respect of which such deduction and
             withholding was made by the Surviving Corporation.

                  SECTION 1.4.   Warrants.  (a)  NHL currently intends to
             declare a dividend payable to holders of NHL Common Stock of
             record as of the third Business Day prior to the date of the
             NHL Stockholder Meeting, which dividend shall consist of
             .16308 of a warrant for each NHL Share outstanding on such
             date, each such Warrant (a "Warrant" and together with the
             Roche Warrants, the "Warrants") representing the right to
             purchase one newly issued share of NHL Common Stock and
             which shall be in the form and have substantially the terms
             and conditions set forth in the Warrant Agreement to be
             entered into between NHL and a warrant agent, which Warrant
             Agreement shall be satisfactory to NHL and to Roche (the
             "Warrant Agreement").  The Warrant Agreement will contain
             customary terms and conditions and will provide, among other
             things, for the issuance of the Warrants to be dividended to
             holders of record of NHL Common Stock on the third Business
             Day preceding the date of the NHL Stockholder Meeting, for
             the issuance of the Roche Warrants, that each Warrant may be
             exercised on the fifth anniversary (the "Expiration Date")
             of issuance to purchase one share of Common Stock at a
             purchase price of $22.00 per share (subject to adjustments),
             and that NHL shall have the option, exercisable by notice 60
             days prior to the Expiration Date, to redeem the Warrants on
             the Expiration Date for a cash redemption price per Warrant
             equal to the average closing price of the NHL Common Stock
             over a specified period prior to the Expiration Date minus
             the exercise price.  It is understood and agreed by the
             parties hereto that the representations and warranties of
             NHL with respect to the Warrant Agreement set forth in
             Article 3 hereof are based upon the assumption that the
             Warrant Agreement will conform to the description set forth
             in the preceding sentence.

                  (b)  At or prior to the Effective Time, Roche shall
             cause to be delivered to NHL an amount in cash equal to the
             Roche Warrant Consideration in payment of the aggregate
             purchase price of $51,048,900 payable in respect of the
             Roche Warrants. In consideration of receipt of such payment,
             NHL shall issue and deliver to Roche pursuant to the Warrant
             Agreement a warrant certificate or certificates (in such
             denominations as requested by Roche) representing the Roche
             Warrants so purchased. 

                  SECTION 1.5.   Stock Options.  (a)  Each employee stock
             option or right to acquire NHL Shares under NHL's 1988 and
             1994 Stock Option Plans (such rights being referred to as
             "Employee Stock Options") outstanding on the date hereof
             shall be deemed fully vested and, immediately prior to the
             Effective Time, NHL shall use reasonable efforts, including
             with respect to obtaining consents, to cause each Employee
             Stock Option to be canceled and terminated in exchange for
             an amount in cash and NHL Shares (in the proportions set
             forth below) equal to the product of (i) the number of NHL
             Shares subject to such Employee Stock Option immediately
             prior to the Effective Time and (ii) the excess of (1)
             $18.50 over (2) the per share exercise price of such
             Employee Stock Option (such product, the "Option Value
             Amount").  The Option Value Amount shall be payable at the
             Effective Time as follows: 40% of such amount (the "Option
             Cash Amount") shall be payable in cash, and 60% of such
             amount (the "Option Stock Amount") shall be payable in the
             number of NHL Shares obtained by dividing the Option Stock
             Amount by $15.42; provided that any fractional share
             resulting from such calculation shall be paid in cash, with
             the value of a whole share for such purpose assumed to be
             $15.42.  All amounts payable to this Section 1.5(a) shall be
             subject to any required withholding of taxes and shall be
             paid without interest thereon.

                  (b)  Notwithstanding the foregoing Section 1.5(a), the
             Employee Stock Options with respect to which the requisite
             consents are not obtained shall not be canceled, but instead
             shall be immediately converted as of the Effective Time into
             the right ("Adjusted Option") to purchase the Option
             Conversion Number (as defined below) of NHL Shares.  Each
             Adjusted Option will have substantially the same terms as
             the Employee Stock Option to which it is related, except
             that:  (i) the Adjusted Option shall be deemed fully vested
             and (ii) the exercise price of an Adjusted Option shall be
             an amount equal to the exercise price of the Employee Stock
             Option related to such Adjusted Option as of the date of
             this Agreement divided by the Conversion Number (as defined
             below).  The "Option Conversion Number" for any Adjusted
             Option shall be equal to the number of NHL Shares
             purchasable pursuant to the Employee Stock Option related to
             such Adjusted Option as of the date of this Agreement
             multiplied by the Conversion Number.  The "Conversion
             Number" shall be a number equal to (i) the sum of (x) the
             product of (A) the average closing price of a share of NHL
             Common Stock on the NYSE Composite Tape for the period of
             five consecutive trading days beginning on the trading day
             following the date on which the Effective Time occurs (the
             "Post Merger Value") and (B) 0.72 and (y) $6.60 divided by
             (ii) the Post Merger Value.


                                      ARTICLE 2
                              THE SURVIVING CORPORATION

                  SECTION 2.1.   Certificate of Incorporation.  The
             certificate of incorporation of NHL in effect at the
             Effective Time shall, except as may be amended to give
             effect, as necessary, to the provisions of this Agreement
             and the HLR Stockholder Agreement,  be the certificate of
             incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until amended in
             accordance with applicable law.

                  SECTION 2.2.   Bylaws.  The bylaws of NHL in effect at
             the Effective Time shall, except as may be amended to give
             effect, as necessary, to the provisions of this Agreement
             and the HLR Stockholder Agreement, be the bylaws of the
             Surviving Corporation until amended in accordance with
             applicable law.

                  SECTION 2.3.   Directors and Officers.  From and after
             the Effective Time, (i) the number of directors constituting
             the Board of Directors of NHL shall be seven and shall be
             comprised of three members designated by HLR and four
             persons who are mutually acceptable to NHL and HLR, until
             successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified in
             accordance with applicable law and the HLR Stockholder
             Agreement, and (ii) the executive officers of the Surviving
             Corporation shall be such Persons as are identified on a
             certificate delivered by HLR to NHL prior to the Effective
             Time, which certificate, upon the delivery thereof, shall be
             deemed to be incorporated into this Agreement for purposes
             hereof.


                                      ARTICLE 3
                        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF NHL

                  NHL represents and warrants to RBL and HLR that, except
             as set forth on the disclosure schedule delivered by NHL to
             HLR prior to the execution of this Agreement (the "NHL
             Disclosure Schedule"):

                  SECTION 3.1.   Corporate Existence and Power.  NHL is a
             corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good
             standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is
             incorporated and has all corporate powers required to carry
             on its business as now being conducted.  NHL is duly
             qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in
             good standing in each jurisdiction where the character of
             the property owned or leased by it or the nature of its
             activities makes such qualification necessary, except for
             those jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified
             would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material
             adverse effect on the business, financial condition, assets,
             results of operations or prospects of NHL and its
             Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (an "NHL Material Adverse
             Effect"), or NHL's ability to perform its obligations under
             this Agreement, the HLR Stockholder Agreement, the Warrant
             Agreement or the Sharing and Call Option Agreement.  NHL has
             heretofore delivered to HLR true and complete copies of its
             certificate of incorporation and bylaws and the certificate
             of incorporation and bylaws of each of its Subsidiaries, in
             each case as currently in effect.  For purposes of this
             Agreement, "Subsidiary" of any Person means any entity of
             which securities or other ownership interests having
             ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of
             directors or other Persons performing similar functions are
             directly or indirectly owned by such Person.  For purposes
             of this Agreement, a "Significant Subsidiary" of a Person
             means any Subsidiary of such Person that constitutes a
             Significant Subsidiary within the meaning of Rule 1-02 of
             Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission
             (the "SEC").

                  SECTION 3.2.   Corporate Authorization.  The execution,
             delivery and performance by NHL of this Agreement, the HLR
             Stockholder Agreement, the Warrant Agreement and the Sharing
             and Call Option Agreement, the consummation by NHL of the
             transactions contemplated hereby (including, without
             limitation, the Merger, the delivery of the Conversion
             Consideration, the issuance of the HLR-NHL Shares and of the
             Warrants and the NHL Common Stock issuable thereunder) and
             thereby are within NHL's corporate powers and, except for
             any required approval by NHL's stockholders in connection
             with the consummation of the Merger (including any
             amendments to NHL's certificate of incorporation as referred
             to in Section 2.1 and the treatment of the Employee Stock
             Options as referred to in Section 1.5) have been duly
             authorized by all necessary corporate action.  Each of this
             Agreement and the Sharing and Call Option Agreement
             constitutes, and each of the HLR Stockholder Agreement, and
             the Warrant Agreement when executed and delivered by NHL,
             will constitute, a valid and binding agreement of NHL.

                  SECTION 3.3.   Governmental Authorization.  The
             execution, delivery and performance by NHL of this
             Agreement, the HLR Stockholder Agreement, the Warrant
             Agreement and the Sharing and Call Option Agreement, and the
             consummation by NHL of the transactions contemplated hereby
             (including, without limitation, the Merger, the delivery of
             the Conversion Consideration, the issuance of the HLR-NHL
             Shares and of the Warrants and the NHL Common Stock issuable
             thereunder) and thereby require no action by, or filing
             with, any governmental body, agency, official or authority
             other than (i) the filing of a certificate of merger in
             accordance with Delaware Law and any amendments to NHL's
             certificate of incorporation as referred to in Section 2.1,
             (ii) compliance with any applicable requirements of the
             Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as
             amended (the "HSR Act"), (iii) compliance with any
             applicable requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
             1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"), (iv) compliance with any
             applicable requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
             amended (the "1933 Act"), (v) compliance with any applicable
             foreign or state securities or "blue sky" laws and (vi) such
             actions by or filings with governmental bodies, agencies,
             officials or authorities, the failure of which to obtain or
             make would not reasonably be expected to have, individually
             or in the aggregate (A) an NHL Material Adverse Effect, (B)
             impair the ability of NHL to perform its obligations under
             this Agreement, the HLR Stockholder Agreement, the Warrant
             Agreement or the Sharing and Call Option Agreement, or (C)
             prevent the consummation of any of the transactions
             contemplated by this Agreement, the HLR Stockholder
             Agreement, the Warrant Agreement or the Sharing and Call
             Option Agreement.

                  SECTION 3.4.   Non-Contravention.  The execution,
             delivery and performance by NHL of this Agreement, the HLR
             Stockholder Agreement, the Warrant Agreement and the Sharing
             and Call Option Agreement do not, and the consummation by
             NHL of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do
             not and will not (i) contravene or conflict with the
             certificate of incorporation (taking into account
             appropriate amendments contemplated by Section 2.1 hereof)
             or the bylaws of NHL or the organizational documents of any
             of its Subsidiaries, (ii) assuming compliance with the
             matters referred to in Section 3.3, contravene or conflict
             with or constitute a violation of any provision of any law,
             regulation, judgment, injunction, order or decree binding
             upon or applicable to NHL or any of its Subsidiaries, (iii)
             constitute a default under or give rise to a right of
             termination, cancellation or acceleration of any right or
             obligation of NHL or any of its Subsidiaries or to a loss of
             any benefit to which NHL or any of its Subsidiaries is
             entitled under any provision of any agreement, contract or
             other instrument binding upon NHL or any of its Subsidiaries
             or any license, franchise, permit or other similar
             authorization held by NHL or any of its Subsidiaries, or
             (iv) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any
             asset of NHL or any of its Subsidiaries, except, with
             respect to clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) above, for
             contraventions, conflicts, defaults, rights of termination,
             cancellation or acceleration, losses of benefits and
             creation or imposition of Liens that would not reasonably be
             expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, an NHL
             Material Adverse Effect.  For purposes of this Agreement,
             "Lien" means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien,
             pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind
             in respect of such asset.

                  SECTION 3.5.   Capitalization.  The authorized capital
             stock of NHL consists of 10,000,000 shares of preferred
             stock, par value $0.10 per share ("NHL Preferred Stock"),
             and 220,000,000 NHL Shares.  As of December 12, 1994, (a)
             there were issued and outstanding 84,761,817 NHL Shares and
             no shares of NHL Preferred Stock, (b) no NHL Shares were
             held in NHL's treasury and (c) 1,756,507 NHL Shares were
             reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding Employee
             Stock Options (of which options to purchase an aggregate of
             3,527,876 NHL Shares were vested and exercisable).  All
             outstanding shares of capital stock of NHL are validly
             issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free and clear of
             any preemptive or similar rights.  All shares of NHL Common
             Stock issuable as HLR-NHL Shares in the Merger and all
             shares of NHL Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the
             Warrants will be, upon issuance thereof, validly issued,
             fully paid and nonassessable and free of any preemptive or
             similar rights.  Except as set forth in this Section 3.5,
             and except for the exercise or conversion of Employee Stock
             Options outstanding on December 12, 1994 there are
             outstanding (i) no shares of capital stock or other voting
             securities of NHL, (ii) no securities of NHL convertible
             into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or voting
             securities of NHL and (iii) no options or other rights to
             acquire from NHL, and no obligation of NHL to issue, any
             capital stock, voting securities or securities convertible
             into or exchangeable for capital stock or other voting
             securities of NHL (the items in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii)
             above being referred to collectively as the "NHL
             Securities").  There are no outstanding obligations of NHL
             or any of its Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or
             otherwise acquire any NHL Securities.

                  SECTION 3.6.   Subsidiaries.  (a)  Each Subsidiary of
             NHL is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and
             in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
             incorporation, has all corporate powers required to carry on
             its business as now being conducted and is duly qualified to
             do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing
             in each jurisdiction where the character of the property
             owned or leased by it or the nature of its activities make
             such qualification necessary, except for those jurisdictions
             where failure to be so qualified would not, individually or
             in the aggregate, have an NHL Material Adverse Effect.  NHL
             has delivered to HLR a list of all of NHL's Subsidiaries. 
             There are no partnerships or joint venture arrangements or
             other business entities in which NHL or any Subsidiary of
             NHL owns an equity interest that is material to the business
             of NHL and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

                  (b)  All of the outstanding capital stock of each
             Subsidiary of NHL is owned by NHL, directly or indirectly,
             free and clear of any Lien and free of any other limitation
             or restriction (including any restriction on the right to
             vote, sell or otherwise dispose of such capital stock) other
             than any such limitations or restrictions imposed by
             statutes or regulations of general applicability.  There are
             no outstanding (i) securities of NHL or any of its
             Subsidiaries convertible into or exchangeable for shares of
             capital stock or other voting securities of any of NHL's
             Subsidiaries, or (ii) options or other rights to acquire
             from NHL or any Subsidiary, and no other obligation of NHL
             or any Subsidiary of NHL to issue, any capital stock, voting
             securities of, or any securities convertible into or
             exchangeable for any capital stock or other voting
             securities of any Subsidiary of NHL (the items in clauses
             (i) and (ii) being referred to collectively as the "NHL
             Subsidiary Securities").  There are no outstanding
             obligations of NHL or any Subsidiary of NHL to repurchase,
             redeem or otherwise acquire any outstanding NHL Subsidiary
             Securities.

                  (c)  Neither NHL nor any Affiliate of NHL:

                     (i)    is currently engaged in the manufacture or
                  production of drugs of abuse reagent products in the
                  United States; or

                    (ii)    owns presently (or has owned within the two-
                  year period prior hereto):

                             (A) any stock, share capital, equity or
                  other interest in any concern, corporate or non-
                  corporate, engaged in at the time of such acquisition,
                  or within the two years preceding such acquisition
                  engaged in, the manufacture or production of drugs of
                  abuse reagent products in the United States; or

                             (B) any assets used or previously used (and
                  still suitable for use) in the manufacture and
                  production of drugs of abuse reagent products in the
                  United States to which annual sales of $3,000,000 or
                  more of drugs of abuse reagent products are or in the
                  past have been attributable.

                  SECTION 3.7.   SEC Filings.  (a)  NHL has filed all
             required reports, forms, and other documents with the SEC
             since January 1, 1992 (the "SEC Documents").  As of their
             respective dates, the SEC Documents complied in all material
             respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act or the 1934
             Act, as the case may be, and the rules and regulations of
             the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable to such SEC
             Documents, and none of the SEC Documents contained any
             untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a
             material fact necessary in order to make the statements
             therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
             made, not misleading.  Except to the extent that information
             contained in any SEC Document has been revised or superseded
             by a later-filed SEC Document filed and publicly available
             prior to the date hereof, none of the SEC Documents contains
             any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state
             any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
             in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
             circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

                  (b)  No such registration statement referred to in
             Section 3.7(a), as amended or supplemented, if applicable,
             filed pursuant to the 1933 Act as of the date such statement
             or amendment became effective contained any untrue statement
             of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact
             required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
             statements therein not misleading.

                  SECTION 3.8.   Financial Statements.  The financial
             statements of NHL included in the SEC Documents comply as to
             form in all material respects with applicable accounting
             requirements and the published rules and regulations of the
             SEC with respect thereto, have been prepared in accordance
             with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP")
             (except, in the case of unaudited statements, as permitted
             by Form 10-Q of the SEC) applied on a consistent basis
             during the periods involved (except as may be indicated in
             the notes thereto) and fairly present the consolidated
             financial position of NHL and its consolidated Subsidiaries
             as of the dates thereof and the consolidated results of
             their operations and cash flows for the periods then ended
             (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal
             year-end audit adjustments).  

                  SECTION 3.9.   Disclosure Documents.  (a)  None of the
             information supplied or to be supplied by NHL specifically
             for inclusion or incorporation by reference in (i) the
             registration statement on Form S-4 to be filed with the SEC
             by NHL in connection with the issuance of NHL Shares in the
             Merger (the "Registration Statement", which Registration
             Statement will include a resale prospectus) will, at the
             time the Registration Statement is filed with the SEC, at
             any time it is amended or supplemented or at the time it
             becomes effective under the 1933 Act, contain any untrue
             statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
             fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
             statements therein not misleading, or (ii) the proxy
             statement relating to the approval by the stockholders of
             NHL of the Merger and certain other matters, together with
             all other related proxy materials prepared in connection
             with the NHL Stockholder Meeting relating to the Merger (the
             "NHL Proxy Statement") will, at the date the NHL Proxy
             Statement is first mailed to NHL's stockholders or at the
             time of the NHL Stockholder Meeting, contain any untrue
             statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
             fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
             light of the circumstances  under which they were made, not
             misleading.  The Registration Statement will comply as to
             form in all material respects with the requirements of the
             1933 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated
             thereunder and the NHL Proxy Statement will comply as to
             form in all material respects with the requirements of the
             1934 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated
             thereunder.

                  (b)  The representations and warranties contained in
             Sections 3.9(a) will not apply to statements included in or
             omissions from the Registration Statement or the NHL Proxy
             Statement based upon information furnished to NHL by or on
             behalf of HLR or RBL specifically for use therein or
             information that is omitted by HLR or RBL.

                  SECTION 3.10.  Absence of Certain Changes.  Except as
             disclosed in the SEC Documents, since December 31, 1993 NHL
             has conducted its business only in the ordinary course, and
             except as specifically contemplated by this Agreement there
             has not been:

                  (a)  any material adverse change in the business,
             financial condition, assets or results of operations of NHL
             and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or any event,
             occurrence or development of or in a state of circumstances
             or facts (including, without limitation, any development of
             or in a state of facts or any change in the estimated or
             expected exposure arising or occurring after the date hereof
             relating to any litigation or investigation disclosed, or
             required to be disclosed, pursuant to Section 3.12 or
             Section 5.5 hereof or in any SEC Document referred to in
             Section 3.12) known to NHL or any Subsidiary of NHL which
             could reasonably be expected to result in such a material
             adverse change (an "NHL Material Adverse Change");

                  (b)  any declaration, setting aside or payment of any
             dividend or other distribution with respect to any shares of
             capital stock of NHL, or any repurchase, redemption or other
             acquisition by NHL or any of its Subsidiaries of any
             outstanding shares of capital stock or other securities of,
             or other ownership interests in, NHL or any of its
             Subsidiaries;

                  (c)  any amendment of any material term of any
             outstanding NHL Securities or any NHL Subsidiary Securities;

                  (d)  any incurrence, assumption or guarantee by NHL or
             any of its Subsidiaries of any indebtedness for borrowed
             money other than in the ordinary course of business and in
             an amount not in excess of $25,000,000 and which is on terms
             consistent with past practices;

                  (e)  any creation or assumption by NHL or any of its
             Subsidiaries of any Lien on any material asset other than in
             the ordinary course of business consistent with past
             practices;

                  (f)  any making of any loan, advance or capital
             contributions to or investment in any Person other than
             loans, advances or capital contributions to or investments
             in wholly-owned Subsidiaries made in the ordinary course of
             business consistent with past practices;

                  (g)  any damage, destruction or other casualty loss
             (whether or not covered by insurance) affecting the business
             or assets of NHL or any of its Subsidiaries which,
             individually or in the aggregate, has had or would
             reasonably be expected to have an NHL Material Adverse
             Effect;

                  (h)  any transaction or commitment made, or any
             contract or agreement entered into, by NHL or any of its
             Subsidiaries relating to its assets or business (including
             the acquisition or disposition of any assets) or any
             relinquishment by NHL or any of its Subsidiaries of any
             contract or other right, in either case, material to NHL and
             its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, other than transactions
             and commitments in the ordinary course of business
             consistent with past practice;

                  (i)  any change in any method of accounting or
             accounting practice by NHL or any of its Subsidiaries,
             except for any such change required by reason of a
             concurrent change in GAAP or which is disclosed in the SEC
             Documents;

                  (j)  any (i) grant of any severance or termination pay
             other than pursuant to existing contracts, plans or
             arrangements to any director, officer or employee of NHL or
             any of its Subsidiaries whose total annual compensation and
             bonus is in excess of $200,000, (ii) entering into of any
             employment, deferred compensation or other similar agreement
             (or any amendment to any such existing agreement) involving
             annual total compensation and bonus in excess of $200,000
             with any director, officer or employee of NHL or any of its
             Subsidiaries, (iii) any amendment or change that increases
             compensation or benefits payable under any existing
             severance or termination pay plans, policies or employment
             agreements which change or amendment is applicable to a
             class or classes of employees or officers covered thereby
             other than as expressly required therein or (iv) increase in
             compensation, bonus or other benefits payable to directors,
             officers or employees of NHL or any of its Subsidiaries,
             whose total annual compensation and bonus is in excess of
             $200,000, except as expressly required by any existing
             employment agreements, or pursuant to compensation plans and
             policies in effect December 31, 1993 or set forth on the NHL
             Disclosure Schedule; or

                  (k)  any labor dispute, other than routine individual
             grievances, or any activity or proceeding by a labor union
             or representative thereof to organize any employees of NHL
             or any of its Subsidiaries, which employees were not subject
             to a collective bargaining agreement prior to or on December
             31, 1993, or any lockouts, strikes, slowdowns, work
             stoppages or threats thereof by or with respect to such
             employees.

                  SECTION 3.11.  No Undisclosed Material Liabilities.  
             Except as set forth in the SEC Documents, neither NHL nor
             any of its Subsidiaries has any liabilities or obligations
             of any nature (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or
             otherwise) ("Liabilities") required by GAAP to be set forth
             on a consolidated balance sheet of NHL and its consolidated
             Subsidiaries or in the notes thereto and neither NHL nor any
             of its Subsidiaries has, to the knowledge of NHL, incurred
             any Liabilities since December 31, 1993 which, whether or
             not required by GAAP to be set forth on such a consolidated
             balance sheet, when considered together with any
             corresponding asset resulting from the event which gave rise
             to such liability, individually or in the aggregate, have
             had or could reasonably be expected to have an NHL Material
             Adverse Effect.

                  SECTION 3.12.  Litigation.  Except as set forth in the
             SEC Documents, there is no action, suit, investigation or
             proceeding pending, or to the knowledge of NHL threatened
             (or, to the knowledge of NHL or its Subsidiaries, any basis
             therefor), against NHL or any of its Subsidiaries or any of
             their respective properties before any court or arbitrator
             or any governmental body, agency or official that could
             reasonably be expected to (A) have an NHL Material Adverse
             Effect, (B) impair the ability of NHL to perform its
             obligations under this Agreement, the HLR Stockholder
             Agreement, the Warrant Agreement or the Sharing and Call
             Option Agreement or (C) prevent or materially delay the
             consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this
             Agreement, the HLR Stockholder Agreement, the Warrant
             Agreement or the Sharing and Call Option Agreement. 

                  SECTION 3.13.  Taxes.  Except as set forth in the SEC
             Documents, (a) NHL, its Subsidiaries and the NHL Group (as
             defined in Section 8.1) have filed, been included in or
             sent, all material returns, declarations and reports and
             information returns and statements required to be filed or
             sent by or relating to any of them relating to any Taxes (as
             defined below) with respect to any material income,
             properties or operations of NHL, any of its Subsidiaries or
             the NHL Group prior to the Effective Time (collectively,
             "NHL Returns"), (b) as of the time of filing, the NHL
             Returns correctly reflected in all material respects the
             facts regarding the income, business, assets, operations,
             activities and status of NHL, its Subsidiaries and the NHL
             Group and any other information required to be shown
             therein, (c) NHL, its Subsidiaries and the NHL Group have
             timely paid or made provision for all material Taxes that
             have been shown as due and payable on the NHL Returns that
             have been filed, (d) NHL, its Subsidiaries and the NHL Group
             have made or will make provision for all material Taxes
             payable for any periods that end before the Effective Time
             for which no NHL Returns have yet been filed and for any
             periods that begin before the Effective Time and end after
             the Effective Time to the extent such Taxes are attributable
             to the portion of any such period ending at the Effective
             Time, (e) the charges, accruals and reserves for Taxes
             reflected on the books of NHL, its Subsidiaries and the NHL
             Group are adequate to cover the Tax liabilities accruing or
             payable by NHL, its Subsidiaries and the NHL Group in
             respect of periods prior to the date hereof, (f) none of
             NHL, any of its Subsidiaries or the NHL Group is delinquent
             in the payment of any material Taxes or has requested any
             extension of time within which to file or send any material
             NHL Return, which NHL Return has not since been filed or
             sent, (g) no material deficiency for any Taxes has been
             proposed, asserted or assessed in writing against NHL, any
             of its Subsidiaries or the NHL Group other than those Taxes
             being contested in good faith, (h) the federal income tax
             returns of the NHL Group have been examined by and settled
             with the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") for all years
             through 1984, (i) none of NHL, any of its Subsidiaries or
             the NHL Group has granted any extension of the limitation
             period applicable to any material Tax claims (which period
             has not since lapsed) other than those Taxes being contested
             in good faith, (j) none of NHL, any of its Subsidiaries or
             the NHL Group has any contractual obligations under any
             material Tax sharing agreement with any corporation which,
             as of the Effective Time, is not a member of the NHL Group,
             and (k) neither NHL nor any of its Subsidiaries has taken
             any action or has any knowledge of any fact or circumstance
             that is reasonably likely to prevent the Merger from
             qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Section
             368(a)(1) of the Code.

                  "Tax" or "Taxes" means with respect to any Person (i)
             any net income, gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, ad
             valorem, franchise, profits, license, withholding, payroll,
             employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium,
             property, value-added  or windfall profit tax, custom duty
             or other tax, governmental fee or other like assessment or
             charge of any kind whatsoever, together with any interest
             and any penalty, addition to tax or additional amount
             imposed by any taxing authority (domestic or foreign) on
             such Person and (ii) any liability of such Person or any of
             its Subsidiaries for the payment of any amount of the type
             described in clause (i) as a result of being a member of an
             affiliated or combined group.

                  SECTION 3.14.  ERISA.  (a) The NHL Disclosure Schedule
             identifies each "employee benefit plan", as defined in
             Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
             of 1974 ("ERISA"), which (i) is subject to any provision of
             ERISA and (ii) is maintained, administered or contributed to
             by NHL or any ERISA Affiliate (as defined below) and covers
             any employee or former employee of NHL or any Subsidiary of
             NHL or under which NHL or any ERISA Affiliate has any
             liability.  Copies of such plans (and, if applicable,
             related trust agreements, group annuity contracts and
             summary plan descriptions) and all amendments thereto and
             written interpretations thereof have been furnished or made
             available upon request to HLR and RBL together with (x) the
             most recent annual report (Form 5500 including, if
             applicable, Schedule B thereto) prepared in connection with
             any such plan and (y) the most recent actuarial valuation
             report prepared in connection with any such plan.  Such
             plans are referred to collectively herein as "NHL Employee
             Plans".  For purposes of this Section, "ERISA Affiliate" of
             any Person means any other Person which, together with such
             Person, would be treated as a single employer under Section
             414 of the Code.

                  (b)  Except as otherwise identified in the NHL
             Disclosure Schedule:

                     (i)    no NHL Employee Plan constitutes a
               "multiemployer plan", as defined in Section 3(37) of
               ERISA (a "Multiemployer Plan"), and no NHL Employee Plan
               is maintained in connection with any trust described in
               Section 501(c)(9) of the Code;

                    (ii)    no NHL Employee Plans are subject to Title IV
               of ERISA (the "NHL Retirement Plans");

                   (iii)    as of December 31, 1993, the fair market
               value of the assets of each NHL Retirement Plan
               (excluding for these purposes any accrued but unpaid
               contributions) exceeded the accumulated benefit
               obligation, as determined in accordance with GAAP, under
               such NHL Retirement Plan;

                    (iv)    no "accumulated funding deficiency", as
               defined in Section 412 of the Code, has been incurred
               with respect to any NHL Retirement Plan, whether or not
               waived;

                     (v)    no "reportable event", within the meaning of
               Section 4043 of ERISA, and no event described in Section
               4041, 4042, 4062 or 4063 of ERISA has occurred in
               connection with any NHL Employee Plan, other than a
               "reportable event" that will not have an NHL Material
               Adverse Effect;

                    (vi)    no condition exists and no event has occurred
               that could constitute grounds for termination of any NHL
               Retirement Plan or, with respect to any NHL Employee Plan
               which is a Multiemployer Plan, presents a material risk
               of a complete or partial withdrawal under Title IV of
               ERISA;

                   (vii)    neither NHL nor any of its ERISA Affiliates
               has incurred any material liability under Title IV of
               ERISA arising in connection with the termination of, or
               complete or partial withdrawal from, any plan covered or
               previously covered by Title IV of ERISA;

                  (viii)    if a "complete withdrawal" by NHL and all of
               its ERISA Affiliates were to occur as of the Effective
               Time with respect to all NHL Employee Plans which are
               Multiemployer Plans, neither NHL nor any ERISA Affiliate
               would incur any withdrawal liability under Title IV of
               ERISA;

                    (ix)    nothing done or omitted to be done and no
               transaction or holding of any asset under or in
               connection with any NHL Employee Plan has made or will
               make NHL or any of its Subsidiaries, any officer or
               director of NHL or any of its Subsidiaries subject to any
               liability under Title I of ERISA or liable for any Tax
               pursuant to Section 4975 of the Code that could have an
               NHL Material Adverse Effect; and

                     (x)    neither NHL nor any of its ERISA Affiliates
               (A) has engaged in a transaction described in Section
               4069 of ERISA that could subject NHL to material
               liability at any time after the date hereof or (B) has
               acted in a manner that could, or failed to act so as to,
               result in fines, penalties, taxes or related charges
               under (x) Section 502(c), (i) or (1) or ERISA, (y)
               Section 4071 of ERISA or (z) Chapter 43 of the Code,
               which penalties, taxes or related charges, individually
               or in the aggregate, would constitute a liability in a
               material amount.

                  (c)  Each NHL Employee Plan which is intended to be
             qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a
             favorable IRS determination letter to such effect and NHL
             knows of no event or circumstance occurring or existing
             since the date of such letter that would adversely affect
             such NHL Employee Plan's qualified status.  NHL has
             furnished or made available upon request to HLR and RBL
             copies of the most recent IRS determination letters with
             respect to each such Plan.  Each NHL Employee Plan has been
             maintained in substantial compliance with its terms and with
             the requirements prescribed by any and all statutes, orders,
             rules and regulations, including but not limited to ERISA
             and the Code, which are applicable to such Plan.  There are
             no investigations by any governmental agency, termination
             proceedings or other claims (except claims for benefits
             payable in the normal operation of the NHL Employee Plans),
             suits or proceedings against or involving any NHL Employee
             Plan or asserting any rights to or claims for benefits under
             any NHL Employee Plan that could give rise to any material
             liability, and there are not any facts that could give rise
             to any material liability in the event of any such
             investigation, claim, suit or proceeding.

                  (d)  There is no contract, agreement, plan or
             arrangement covering any employee or former employee of NHL
             or any ERISA Affiliate that, individually or collectively,
             could give rise to the payment of any amount that would not
             be deductible pursuant to the terms of Section 280G of the
             Code.  No employee of NHL or any of its Subsidiaries will be
             entitled to any additional benefits or any acceleration of
             the time of payment or vesting of any NHL benefits under any
             NHL Benefit Arrangements (as defined below in Section
             3.14(e)) as a result of the transactions contemplated by
             this Agreement.

                  (e)  NHL has furnished or made available upon request
             to RBL copies or descriptions of each employment, severance
             or other similar contract, arrangement or policy providing
             for annual compensation in excess of $200,000 and each plan
             or arrangement (written or oral) providing for insurance
             coverage (including any self-insured arrangements), workers'
             compensation, disability benefits, supplemental unemployment
             benefits, vacation benefits, retirement benefits or for
             deferred compensation, profit-sharing, bonuses, stock
             options, stock appreciation or other forms of incentive
             compensation or post-retirement insurance, compensation or
             benefits which (i) is not an Employee Plan, (ii) is entered
             into, maintained or contributed to, as the case may be, by
             NHL or any of its Subsidiaries and (iii) covers any employee
             or former employee of NHL or any of its Subsidiaries, to the
             extent existing on the date hereof.  The above arrangements
             (whether or not existing as of the date hereof) are referred
             to collectively herein as the "NHL Benefit Arrangements"). 
             Each NHL Benefit Arrangement has been maintained in
             substantial compliance with its terms and with the
             requirements prescribed by any and all statutes, orders,
             rules and regulations that are applicable to such NHL
             Benefit Arrangement.

                  (f)  Except as disclosed in the NHL Disclosure
             Schedule, neither NHL nor any of its Subsidiaries has any
             current or projected liability in respect of post-employment
             or post-retirement health and medical benefits for retired
             or former employees of NHL and its Subsidiaries, except as
             required to avoid excise tax under Section 4980B of the
             Code; and no condition exists that would prevent NHL or any
             of its Subsidiaries from amending or terminating any NHL
             Employee Plan or NHL Benefit Arrangement providing health or
             medical benefits in respect of any active employee of NHL or
             any of its Subsidiaries other than limitations imposed under
             the terms of a collective bargaining agreement.

                  (g)  Except as disclosed in the NHL Disclosure
             Schedule, there has been no amendment to, written
             interpretation or announcement (whether or not written) by
             NHL or any of its ERISA Affiliates relating to, or change in
             employee participation or coverage under, any NHL Employee
             Plan or NHL Benefit Arrangement which would increase
             materially the expense of maintaining such NHL Employee Plan
             or NHL Benefit Arrangement above the level of the expense
             incurred in respect thereof for the fiscal year ended on
             December 31, 1993 (other than those that would not result in
             the representation and warranty set forth in Section 3.10(j)
             becoming untrue as of the Effective Time).

                  (h)  Neither NHL nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party
             to or subject to any collective bargaining or other labor
             union contracts applicable to persons employed by NHL or its
             Subsidiaries and no collective bargaining agreement is being
             negotiated by NHL or any of its Subsidiaries.  As of the
             date of this Agreement, to the knowledge of NHL, neither NHL
             nor its Subsidiaries, nor their respective representatives
             or employees, has committed any unfair labor practices in
             connection with the operation of the respective businesses
             of NHL or its Subsidiaries, and there is no pending or
             threatened in writing charge or complaint against NHL or its
             Subsidiaries by the National Labor Relations Board (the
             "NLRB") or any comparable state agency, except where such
             unfair labor practice, charge or complaint would not have an
             NHL Material Adverse Effect.

                  SECTION 3.15.  Compliance with Laws; Permits.  (a) 
             Except as set forth in the SEC Documents and except for
             violations which do not have and would not reasonably be
             expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, an NHL
             Material Adverse Effect, neither NHL nor any of its
             Subsidiaries is in violation of, or has violated, any
             applicable provisions of any laws, statutes, ordinances or
             regulations or any term of any judgment, decree, injunction
             or order outstanding against it.

                  (b)  As of the date of this Agreement, each of NHL and
             each of its Subsidiaries is in possession of all franchises,
             grants, authorizations, licenses, permits, easements,
             variances, exemptions, consents, certificates,
             identification numbers, approvals and orders (collectively,
             the "NHL Permits") necessary to own, lease and operate its
             properties and to carry on its business as it is now being
             conducted, and there is no action, proceeding or
             investigation pending or, to the knowledge of NHL,
             threatened regarding suspension or cancellation of any of
             the NHL Permits, except where the failure to possess, or the
             suspension or cancellation of, such NHL Permits would not
             reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
             aggregate, an NHL Material Adverse Effect.

                  SECTION 3.16.  Finders' Fees.  Except for Morgan
             Stanley & Co. Incorporated ("Morgan Stanley"), whose fees in
             the amount previously disclosed to HLR will be paid by NHL,
             and as contemplated herein, there is no investment banker,
             broker, finder or other intermediary which has been retained
             by or is authorized to act on behalf of, NHL or any of its
             Subsidiaries which might be entitled to any fee or
             commission from HLR or any of its Affiliates upon
             consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
             Agreement.

                  SECTION 3.17.  Other Information.  NHL's projections
             and forward-looking information furnished by NHL to HLR were
             prepared in good faith and represent NHL's best estimate as
             of the date hereof as to the subject matter thereof;
             provided that NHL makes no representation or warranty as to
             the completeness or accuracy of the projections or forward-
             looking information furnished by NHL to HLR.

                  SECTION 3.18.  Environmental Matters.  Except as set
             forth in the SEC Documents:

                  (a)(i)  no notice, notification, notice of violation,
             demand, request for information, investigation (whether
             civil or criminal), citation, summons, complaint, order or
             other similar document has been received by, or, to the
             knowledge of NHL or any of its Subsidiaries, is pending or
             threatened by any Person against, NHL or any of its
             Subsidiaries, nor has any material penalty been assessed
             against NHL or any of its Subsidiaries in either case with
             respect to any (A) alleged violation of any Environmental
             Law or liability thereunder, (B) alleged failure to have any
             permit, certificate, license, approval, registration or
             authorization required under any Environmental Law, (C)
             generation, treatment, storage, recycling, transportation or
             disposal of any Hazardous Substance or (D) Release of any
             Hazardous Substance;

                    (ii)  no Hazardous Substance has been Released or is
               present at any property now owned, leased or operated by
               NHL or any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of
               NHL, has any Hazardous Substance been Released at any
               property formerly owned, leased or operated by NHL, which
               Release or presence, individually or in the aggregate,
               could reasonably be expected to result in an NHL Material
               Adverse Effect; 

                   (iii)  there are no NHL Environmental Liabilities
               that have had or may reasonably be expected to have,
               individually or in the aggregate, an NHL Material Adverse
               Effect; and

                    (iv)  there are no circumstances relating to the
               disposal of Hazardous Substances from any properties at
               the time they were owned, leased or operated by NHL that
               could give rise to liabilities under Environmental Laws
               which could reasonably be expected to result in,
               individually or in the aggregate, an NHL Material Adverse
               Effect. 

                  (b)  There has been no environmental investigation,
             study, audit, test, review or other analysis conducted since
             1989 of which NHL has knowledge in relation to the current
             or prior business of NHL or any property or facility now or
             previously owned, leased or operated by NHL or any of its
             Subsidiaries the contents of which could reasonably be
             expected to result in an NHL Material Adverse Effect.

                  (c)  Neither NHL nor any of its Subsidiaries owns or
             leases any real property or an industrial facility, or
             conducts any operations, in New Jersey or Connecticut.

                  (d)  For purposes of this Section 3.18, the following
             terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

                     (i)    "NHL" and "Subsidiary" shall include any
               entity which is, in whole or in part, a predecessor of
               NHL or any of its Subsidiaries.

                    (ii)    "NHL Environmental Liabilities" means any and
               all liabilities of or relating to NHL and any of its
               Subsidiaries, whether vested or unvested, contingent or
               fixed, actual or potential, known or unknown, which (A)
               arise under or relate to matters covered by Environmental
               Laws and (B) arose from actions occurring or conditions
               existing on or prior to the Effective Time.

                  (e)  For purposes of this Section 3.18 and Section
             4.16, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth
             below:

                     (i)    "Environmental Laws" means any and all
               federal, state, local and foreign statutes, laws,
               judicial decisions, regulations, ordinances, rules,
               judgments, orders, decrees, codes, injunctions, permits,
               licenses, agreements and governmental restrictions
               (whether now or hereinafter in effect), relating to human
               health, the environment or to emissions, discharges,
               Releases or threatened Releases of Hazardous Substances
               or wastes into the environment, including, without
               limitation, ambient air, surface water, ground water or
               land, or otherwise relating to the manufacture,
               processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage,
               disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Substances
               or wastes or the investigation, clean-up, remediation or
               monitoring thereof.

                    (ii)    "Hazardous Substances" means any toxic,
               radioactive, caustic, corrosive, infectious, mutagenic,
               carcinogenic or otherwise hazardous waste, material or
               substance, including petroleum, its derivatives, by-
               products and other hydrocarbons, or any substance having
               any constituent elements displaying any of the foregoing
               characteristics, including, without limitation, any
               substance which meets the definition of "hazardous
               substance" contained in 42 U.S.C. 9601(14).

                   (iii)    "Release" means any discharge, emission or
               release, including a Release as defined in the
               Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
               Liability Act of 1980, as amended ("CERCLA") at 42 U.S.C.
               9601(22).  The term "Released" has a corresponding
               meaning.

                  SECTION 3.19.  Takeover Statutes.  The Board of
             Directors of NHL has approved the HLR Stockholder Agreement,
             the Merger, the Warrants, the Sharing and Call Option
             Agreement and this Agreement, and such approval is
             sufficient to render inapplicable to the HLR Stockholder
             Agreement, the Merger, the Warrants, the Sharing and Call
             Option Agreement and this Agreement and the transactions
             contemplated or permitted thereby and hereby, the provisions
             of Section 203 of Delaware Law.  To NHL's knowledge, no
             other state takeover statute or similar statute or
             regulation applicable to NHL applies or purports to apply to
             the HLR Stockholder Agreement, the Merger, the Warrants, the
             Sharing and Call Option Agreement or this Agreement, or any
             of the transactions contemplated thereby and hereby.

                  SECTION 3.20.  Opinion of Financial Advisor.   NHL has
             received the opinion of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
             dated the date of this Agreement to the effect that the
             aggregate consideration to be received by the stockholders
             of NHL in connection with the Merger, when taken together
             with the Warrants to be dividended to such stockholders, is
             fair, from a financial point of view, to such stockholders.

                  SECTION 3.21.  Vote Required.  The affirmative vote of
             the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of NHL
             Common Stock is the only vote of the holders of any class or
             series of NHL securities necessary to approve the Merger and
             the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and
             any amendments to the certificate of incorporation of NHL as
             referred to in Section 2.1.


                                      ARTICLE 4
                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF HLR AND RBL

                  HLR and RBL represent and warrant to NHL that, except
             as set forth on the disclosure schedule delivered by RBL to
             NHL prior to the execution of this Agreement (the "RBL
             Disclosure Schedule"):

                  SECTION 4.1.   Corporate Existence and Power.  Each of
             HLR and RBL is a corporation duly incorporated, validly
             existing and in good standing under the laws of the
             jurisdiction in which it is incorporated and has all
             corporate powers required to carry on its business as now
             being conducted.  Each of HLR and RBL is duly qualified to
             do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing
             in each jurisdiction where the character of the property
             owned or leased by it or the nature of its activities makes
             such qualification necessary, except for those jurisdictions
             where the failure to be so qualified would not, individually
             or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the
             business, financial condition, results of operations or
             prospects of RBL and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (a
             "RBL Material Adverse Effect"), or RBL's ability to perform
             its obligations hereunder or under the HLR Stockholder
             Agreement.  RBL has heretofore delivered to NHL true and
             complete copies of its certificate of incorporation and
             bylaws and the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of
             each of its Subsidiaries, in each case as currently in
             effect.

                  SECTION 4.2.   Corporate Authorization.  The execution,
             delivery and performance by each of HLR and RBL of this
             Agreement, the HLR Stockholder Agreement and the Sharing and
             Call Option Agreement and the consummation by HLR and RBL of
             the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby are within
             their respective corporate powers and, except for any
             required approval by HLR as RBL's sole stockholder in
             connection with the consummation of the Merger, have been
             duly authorized by all necessary corporate action.  This
             Agreement constitutes a valid and binding agreement of each
             of HLR and RBL, and the HLR Stockholder Agreement when
             executed and delivered by HLR will constitute, a valid and
             binding agreement of HLR.

                  SECTION 4.3.   Governmental Authorization.  The
             execution, delivery and performance by each of HLR and RBL
             of this Agreement and by HLR of each of the HLR Stockholder
             Agreement and the Sharing and Call Option Agreement and the
             consummation of the Merger by RBL and the other transactions
             contemplated hereby and thereby require no action by, or
             filing with, any governmental body, agency, official or
             authority other than (i) the filing of a certificate of
             merger in accordance with Delaware Law, (ii) compliance with
             any applicable requirements of the HSR Act, (iii) compliance
             with any applicable requirements of the 1933 Act, (iv)
             compliance with any applicable requirements of the 1934 Act,
             (v) compliance with any applicable foreign or state
             securities or "blue sky" laws, (vi) the filing of a notice
             pursuant to Section 721 of the Defense Production Act of
             1950 ("Exon-Florio"), and (vii) such actions by or filings
             with governmental bodies, agencies, officials or
             authorities, the failure of which to obtain or make would
             not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
             aggregate (A) a RBL Material Adverse Effect, (B) impair the
             ability of HLR or RBL to perform any of their respective
             obligations under this Agreement or impair HLR's ability to
             perform its obligations under the HLR Stockholder Agreement
             or the Sharing and Call Option Agreement or (C) prevent the
             consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this
             Agreement, the HLR Stockholder Agreement or the Sharing and
             Call Option Agreement.

                  SECTION 4.4.   Non-Contravention.  The execution,
             delivery and performance by HLR and RBL of this Agreement
             and by HLR of the HLR Stockholder Agreement do not, and the
             consummation by HLR and RBL of the transactions contemplated
             hereby and thereby do not and will not (i) contravene or
             conflict with the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of
             HLR, RBL or any of RBL's Subsidiaries, (ii) assuming
             compliance with the matters referred to in Section 4.3,
             contravene or conflict with or constitute a violation of any
             provision of any law, regulation, judgment, injunction,
             order or decree binding upon or applicable to HLR, RBL or
             any of RBL's Subsidiaries, (iii) constitute a default under
             or give rise to a right of termination, cancellation or
             acceleration of any right or obligation of HLR, RBL or any
             of RBL's Subsidiaries or to a loss of any benefit to which
             HLR, RBL or any of RBL's Subsidiaries is entitled under any
             provision of any agreement, contract or other instrument
             binding upon HLR, RBL or any of RBL's Subsidiaries or any
             license, franchise, permit or other similar authorization
             held by HLR, RBL or any of RBL's Subsidiaries or (iv) result
             in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of
             HLR, RBL or any of RBL's Subsidiaries, except, with respect
             to clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) above, for contraventions,
             conflicts, defaults, rights of termination, cancellation or
             acceleration, losses of benefits and creation or imposition
             of Liens that would not reasonably be expected to have,
             individually or in the aggregate, a RBL Material Adverse
             Effect.

                  SECTION 4.5.   Capitalization of RBL.  The authorized
             capital stock of RBL consists of 1000 shares of common
             stock, no par value per share, 100 shares of which are
             issued and outstanding and no shares of which are held in
             RBL's treasury.  All of the issued and outstanding capital
             stock of RBL is validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable
             and is owned by HLR.  Except for such common stock, there
             are outstanding (i) no shares of capital stock or other
             voting securities of RBL, (ii) no securities of RBL
             convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock
             or voting securities of RBL and (iii) no options or other
             rights to acquire from RBL, and no obligation of RBL to
             issue, any capital stock, voting securities or securities
             convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock or voting
             securities of RBL.  RBL has no liability or obligation in
             respect of the financing of the HLR Cash Consideration or
             the Roche Warrant Consideration.

                  SECTION 4.6.   Subsidiaries.  (a)  Each Subsidiary of
             RBL is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and
             in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
             incorporation, has all corporate powers required to carry on
             its business as now being conducted and is duly qualified to
             do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing
             in each jurisdiction where the character of the property
             owned or leased by it or the nature of its activities make
             such qualification necessary, except for those jurisdictions
             where failure to be so qualified would not, individually or
             in the aggregate, have a RBL Material Adverse Effect.  RBL
             has delivered to NHL a list of all of RBL's Subsidiaries. 
             There are no partnerships or joint venture arrangements or
             other business entities in which RBL or any Subsidiary of
             RBL owns an equity interest that is material to the business
             of RBL and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

                  (b)  All of the outstanding capital stock of each
             Subsidiary of RBL is owned by RBL, directly or indirectly,
             free and clear of any Lien and free of any other limitation
             or restriction (including any restriction on the right to
             vote, sell or otherwise dispose of such capital stock) other
             than any such limitations or restrictions imposed by
             statutes or regulations of general applicability.  There are
             no outstanding (i) securities of RBL or any Subsidiary of
             RBL convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital
             stock or other voting securities of any of RBL's
             Subsidiaries or (ii) options or other rights to acquire from
             RBL or any Subsidiary of RBL, and no other obligation of RBL
             or any Subsidiary of RBL to issue, any capital stock, voting
             securities of, or any securities convertible into or
             exchangeable for any capital stock or other voting
             securities of any of RBL's Subsidiaries (the items in
             clauses (i) and (ii) being referred to collectively as the
             "RBL Subsidiary Securities").  There are no outstanding
             obligations of RBL or any of its Subsidiaries to repurchase,
             redeem or otherwise acquire any outstanding RBL Subsidiary
             Securities.

                  SECTION 4.7.   Financial Statements.  RBL has delivered
             to NHL the audited consolidated balance sheet of RBL as of
             each of December 31, 1993 and December 31, 1992 and the
             audited statements of income and cash flows for each of the
             three fiscal years ended December 31, 1993, together with
             the notes thereto and the report of Price Waterhouse thereon
             and its unaudited interim financial statements for the nine
             months ended September 30, 1994 (the "RBL Financial
             Statements").  The RBL Financial Statements have been
             prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent
             basis during the periods involved (except as may be
             indicated in the notes thereto) and fairly present the
             consolidated financial position of RBL and its consolidated
             Subsidiaries, excluding Roche Image Analysis Systems
             ("RIAS"), as of the dates thereof and the consolidated
             results of their operations and cash flows for the periods
             then ended.  For purposes of this Agreement, "RBL Balance
             Sheet" means the consolidated balance sheet of RBL as of
             December 31, 1993, and the notes thereto, contained in the
             RBL Financial Statements and "RBL Balance Sheet Date" means
             December 31, 1993.

                  SECTION 4.8.   Disclosure Documents.  (a)  None of the
             information supplied or to be supplied by HLR or RBL
             specifically for inclusion or incorporation by reference in
             (i) the Registration Statement will, at the time the
             Registration Statement is filed with the SEC, at any time it
             is amended or supplemented or at the time it becomes
             effective under the 1933 Act, contain any untrue statement
             of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
             required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
             statements therein not misleading, or (ii) the NHL Proxy
             Statement will, at the date the NHL Proxy Statement is first
             mailed to NHL's stockholders or at the time of the NHL
             Stockholder Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a
             material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary
             in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
             circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.

                  SECTION 4.9.   Absence of Certain Changes.  Since the
             RBL Balance Sheet Date, RBL and its Subsidiaries have in all
             material respects conducted their business in the ordinary
             course and, except as specifically contemplated by this
             Agreement, there has not been:

                  (a)  any material adverse change in the business,
             financial condition, assets or results of operations of RBL
             and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or any event,
             occurrence or development of or in a state of circumstances
             or facts (including, without limitation, any development of
             or in a state of facts or any change in the estimated or
             expected exposure arising or occurring after the date hereof
             relating to any litigation or investigation disclosed, or
             required to be disclosed, pursuant to Section 4.11 or
             Section 6.4 or in any document referred to in Section 4.11)
             known to RBL or any Subsidiary of RBL which could reasonably
             be expected to result in such a material adverse change (a
             "RBL Material Adverse Change");

                  (b)  any declaration, setting aside or payment of any
             dividend or other distribution with respect to any shares of
             capital stock of RBL, or any repurchase, redemption or other
             acquisition by RBL or any of its Subsidiaries of any
             outstanding shares of capital stock or other securities of,
             or other ownership interests in, RBL or any of its
             Subsidiaries;

                  (c)  any amendment of any material term of any
             outstanding RBL Securities or any RBL Subsidiary Securities;

                  (d)  any incurrence, assumption or guarantee by RBL or
             any of its Subsidiaries of any indebtedness for borrowed
             money other than in the ordinary course of business and in
             an amount not in excess of $25,000,000 and which is on terms
             consistent with past practices;

                  (e)  any creation or assumption by RBL or any of its
             Subsidiaries of any Lien on any material asset other than in
             the ordinary course of business consistent with past
             practices;

                  (f)   any making of any loan, advance or capital
             contributions to or investment in any Person other than
             loans, advances or capital contributions to or investments
             in wholly-owned Subsidiaries made in the ordinary course of
             business consistent with past practices;

                  (g)  any damage, destruction or other casualty loss
             (whether or not covered by insurance) affecting the business
             or assets of RBL or any of its Subsidiaries which,
             individually or in the aggregate, has had or would
             reasonably be expected to have a RBL Material Adverse
             Effect;

                  (h)  other than mergers or consolidations of one or
             more of its Subsidiaries into and with another Subsidiary or
             into RBL and activities in connection with the transfer of
             the business and assets of RIAS, any transaction or
             commitment made, or any contract or agreement entered into,
             by RBL or any of its Subsidiaries relating to its assets or
             business (including the acquisition or disposition of any
             assets) or any relinquishment by RBL or any of its
             Subsidiaries of any contract or other right, in either case,
             material to RBL and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, other
             than transactions and commitments in the ordinary course of
             business consistent with past practice;

                  (i)  any change in any method of accounting or
             accounting practice by RBL or any of its Subsidiaries,
             except for any such change required by reason of a
             concurrent change in GAAP;

                  (j)  any (i) grant of any severance or termination pay
             (other than pursuant to existing contracts, plans or
             arrangements), to any director, officer or employee of RBL
             or any of its Subsidiaries whose total annual compensation
             and bonus is in excess of $200,000, (ii) entering into of
             any employment, deferred compensation or other similar
             agreement (or any amendment to any such existing agreement)
             involving annual total compensation and bonus in excess of
             $200,000 with any director, officer or employee of RBL or
             any of its Subsidiaries, (iii) any amendment or change that
             increases compensation or benefits payable under any
             existing severance or termination pay plans, policies or
             employment agreements which change or amendment is
             applicable to a class or classes of employees or officers
             covered thereby other than as expressly required therein or
             (iv) increase in compensation, bonus or other benefits
             payable to directors, officers or employees of RBL or any of
             its Subsidiaries, whose total annual compensation and bonus
             is in excess of $200,000, except as expressly required by
             any existing employment agreements or pursuant to
             compensation plans and policies in effect December 31, 1993
             or set forth on the RBL Disclosure Schedule; or

                  (k)  any labor dispute, other than routine individual
             grievances, or any activity or proceeding by a labor union
             or representative thereof to organize any employees of RBL
             or any of its Subsidiaries, which employees were not subject
             to a collective bargaining agreement at the RBL Balance
             Sheet Date, or any lockouts, strikes, slowdowns, work
             stoppages or threats thereof by or with respect to such
             employees.

                  SECTION 4.10.  No Undisclosed Material Liabilities.  
             Except as set forth in the RBL Financial Statements, neither
             RBL nor any of its subsidiaries has any Liabilities required
             by GAAP to be set forth on a consolidated balance sheet of
             RBL and its consolidated Subsidiaries or in the notes
             thereto and neither RBL nor any of its Subsidiaries has, to
             its knowledge, incurred any Liabilities since December 31,
             1993 which, whether or not required by GAAP to be set forth
             on such a consolidated balance sheet, when considered
             together with any corresponding asset resulting from the
             event which gave rise to such liability, individually and in
             the aggregate, have had or could reasonably be expected to
             have an RBL Material Adverse Effect.

                  SECTION 4.11.  Litigation.  Except as set forth in the
             RBL Financial Statements, there is no action, suit,
             investigation or proceeding pending, or to the knowledge of
             RBL or its Subsidiaries threatened (or, to the knowledge of
             RBL or its Subsidiaries, any basis therefor), against RBL or
             any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective
             properties before any court or arbitrator or any
             governmental body, agency or official that could reasonably
             be expected to (A) have an RBL Material Adverse Effect, (B)
             impair the ability of RBL or HLR to perform their respective
             obligations under this Agreement or impair the ability of
             HLR to perform its obligations under the HLR Stockholder
             Agreement or the Sharing and Call Option Agreement or (C)
             prevent or materially delay the consummation of any of the
             transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the HLR
             Stockholder Agreement or the Sharing and Call Option
             Agreement. 

                  SECTION 4.12.  Taxes.  Except as set forth in the RBL
             Financial Statements, (a) RBL, its Subsidiaries and the HLR
             Group (as defined in Section 8.1) have filed, been included
             in or sent, all material returns, declarations and reports
             and information returns and statements required to be filed
             or sent by or relating to any of them relating to any Taxes
             with respect to any material income, properties or
             operations of RBL, any of its Subsidiaries or the HLR Group
             prior to the Effective Time (collectively, "RBL Returns"),
             (b) as of the time of filing, the Returns correctly
             reflected in all material respects the facts regarding the
             income, business, assets, operations, activities and status
             of RBL, its Subsidiaries and the HLR Group and any other
             information required to be shown therein, (c) RBL, its
             Subsidiaries and the HLR Group have timely paid or made
             provision for all material Taxes that have been shown as due
             and payable on the RBL Returns that have been filed, (d)
             RBL, its Subsidiaries and the HLR Group have made or will
             make provision for all material Taxes payable for any
             periods that end before the Effective Time for which no RBL
             Returns have yet been filed and for any periods that begin
             before the Effective Time and end after the Effective Time
             to the extent such Taxes are attributable to the portion of
             any such period ending at the Effective Time, (e) the
             charges, accruals and reserves for Taxes reflected on the
             books of RBL, its Subsidiaries and the HLR Group are
             adequate to cover the Tax liabilities accruing or payable by
             RBL, its Subsidiaries and the HLR Group in respect of
             periods prior to the date hereof, (f) none of RBL, any of
             its Subsidiaries or the HLR Group is delinquent in the
             payment of any material Taxes or has requested any extension
             of time within which to file or send any material RBL
             Return, which RBL Return has not since been filed or sent,
             (g) no material deficiency for any Taxes has been proposed,
             asserted or assessed in writing against RBL, any of its
             Subsidiaries or the HLR Group other than those Taxes being
             contested in good faith, (h) the federal income tax returns
             of the HLR Group have been examined by and settled with the
             IRS for all years through 1989, (i) none of RBL, any of its
             Subsidiaries or the HLR Group has granted any extension of
             the limitation period applicable to any material Tax claims
             (which period has not since lapsed) other than those Taxes
             being contested in good faith, (j) none of RBL, any of its
             Subsidiaries or the HLR Group has any contractual
             obligations under any material Tax sharing agreement with
             any corporation which, as of the Effective Time, is not a
             member of the HLR Group, (k) none of HLR, RBL or its
             Subsidiaries has taken any action or has any knowledge of
             any fact or circumstance that is reasonably likely to
             prevent the Merger from qualifying as a reorganization
             within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1) of the Code, and (l) 
             except as provided in Section 2.1, HLR has no current plan
             or intention to cause the Surviving Corporation to amend its
             certificate of incorporation.

                  SECTION 4.13.  ERISA.  (a)  The RBL Disclosure Schedule
             lists each "employee benefit plan", as defined in Section
             3(3) of ERISA, which (i) is subject to any provision of
             ERISA and (ii)(A) is maintained, administered or contributed
             to by RBL or any ERISA Affiliate and covers any employee of
             RBL or any Subsidiary of RBL or under which RBL or any
             Subsidiary has any liability or (B) is maintained,
             administered or contributed to by RBL or any Subsidiary and
             covers any former employee of RBL or any Subsidiary or under
             which RBL or any Subsidiary has any liability.  Copies of
             such plans (and, if applicable, related trust agreements,
             group annuity contracts and summary plan descriptions) and
             all amendments thereto and written interpretations thereof
             have been furnished or made available upon request to NHL
             together with (x) the most recent annual report (Form 5500
             including, if applicable, Schedule B thereto) prepared in
             connection with any such plan and (y) the most recent
             actuarial valuation report prepared in connection with any
             such plan.  Such plans are referred to collectively herein
             as the "RBL Employee Plans".

                  (b)  Except as otherwise identified in the RBL
             Disclosure Schedule;

                     (i)    no RBL Employee Plan constitutes a
               Multiemployer Plan, and no RBL Employee Plan is
               maintained in connection with any trust described in
               Section 501(c)(9) of the Code;

                    (ii)    no RBL Employee Plans are subject to Title IV
               of ERISA (the "RBL Retirement Plans");

                   (iii)    as of the RBL Balance Sheet Date, the fair
               market value of the assets of each RBL Retirement Plan
               (excluding for these purposes any accrued but unpaid
               contributions) exceeded the accumulated benefit
               obligation, as determined in accordance with GAAP under
               such RBL Retirement Plan;

                    (iv)    no "accumulated funding deficiency", as
               defined in Section 412 of the Code, has been incurred
               with respect to any RBL Retirement Plan, whether or not
               waived;

                     (v)    no "reportable event", within the meaning of
               Section 4043 of ERISA, and no event described in Section
               4041, 4042, 4062 or 4063 of ERISA has occurred in
               connection with any RBL Employee Plan, other than a
               "reportable event" that will not have a Material Adverse
               Effect;

                    (vi)    no condition exists and no event has occurred
               that could constitute grounds for termination of any RBL
               Retirement Plan or, with respect to any RBL Employee Plan
               which is a Multiemployer Plan, presents a material risk
               of a complete or partial withdrawal under Title IV of
               ERISA;

                   (vii)    neither RBL nor any of its ERISA Affiliates
               has incurred any material liability under Title IV of
               ERISA arising in connection with the termination of, or
               complete or partial withdrawal from, any plan covered or
               previously covered by Title IV of ERISA that would become
               a liability of RBL after the Effective Time;

                  (viii)    if a "complete withdrawal" by RBL and all of
               its ERISA Affiliates were to occur as of the Effective
               Time with respect to all RBL Employee Plans which are
               Multiemployer Plans, neither RBL nor any ERISA Affiliate
               would incur any withdrawal liability under Title IV of
               ERISA that would become a liability of RBL after the
               Effective Time;

                    (ix)    nothing done or omitted to be done and no
               transaction or holding of any asset under or in
               connection with any RBL Employee Plan has made or will
               make RBL or any of its Subsidiaries, any officer or
               director of RBL or any of its Subsidiaries subject to any
               liability under Title I of ERISA or liable for any Tax
               pursuant to Section 4975 of the Code that could have a
               RBL Material Adverse Effect; and

                     (x)    neither RBL nor any of its ERISA Affiliates
               (A) has engaged in a transaction described in Section
               4069 of ERISA that could subject RBL to material
               liability at any time after the date hereof or (B) has
               acted in a manner that could, or failed to act so as to,
               result in material fines, penalties, taxes or related
               charges under (x) Section 502(c), (i) or (1) or ERISA,
               (y) Section 4071 of ERISA or (z) Chapter 43 of the Code,
               which penalties, taxes or related charges, individually
               or in the aggregate, would constitute a liability in a
               material amount.

                  (c)  Each RBL Employee Plan which is intended to be
             qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a
             favorable IRS determination letter to such effect and RBL
             knows of no event or circumstance occurring or existing
             since the date of such letter that would adversely affect
             such RBL Employee Plan's qualified status.  RBL has
             furnished or made available upon request to NHL copies of
             the most recent IRS determination letters with respect to
             each such Plan.  Each Employee Plan has been maintained in
             substantial compliance with its terms and with the
             requirements prescribed by any and all statutes, orders,
             rules and regulations, including but not limited to ERISA
             and the Code, which are applicable to such Plan.  There are
             no investigations by any governmental agency, termination
             proceedings or other claims (except claims for benefits
             payable in the normal operation of the RBL Employee Plans),
             suits or proceedings against or involving any RBL Employee
             Plan or asserting any rights to or claims for benefits under
             any RBL Employee Plan that could give rise to any material
             liability, and there are not any facts that could give rise
             to any material liability in the event of any such
             investigation, claim, suit or proceeding.

                  (d)  There is no contract, agreement, plan or
             arrangement covering any employee or former employee of RBL
             or any Subsidiary that, individually or collectively, could
             give rise to the payment of any amount that would not be
             deductible pursuant to the terms of Section 280G of the
             Code.  No employee of NHL or any of its Subsidiaries will be
             entitled to any additional benefits or any acceleration of
             the time of payment or vesting of any RBL benefits under any
             RBL Benefit Arrangements (as defined below in Section
             4.13(e)) as a result of the transactions contemplated by
             this Agreement.

                  (e)  RBL has furnished or made available upon request
             to NHL copies or descriptions of each employment, severance
             or other similar contract, arrangement or policy providing
             for annual compensation in excess of $200,000 and each plan
             or arrangement (written or oral) providing for insurance
             coverage (including any self-insured arrangements), workers'
             compensation, disability benefits, supplemental unemployment
             benefits, vacation benefits, retirement benefits or for
             deferred compensation, profit-sharing, bonuses, stock
             options, stock appreciation or other forms of incentive
             compensation or post-retirement insurance, compensation or
             benefits which (i) is not an Employee Plan, (ii) is entered
             into, maintained or contributed to, as the case may be, by
             RBL or any of its Subsidiaries and (iii) covers any employee
             or former employee of RBL or any of its Subsidiaries, to the
             extent existing on the date hereof.  The above arrangements
             (whether or not existing as of the date hereof) are referred
             to collectively herein as the "RBL Benefit Arrangements". 
             Each RBL Benefit Arrangement has been maintained in
             substantial compliance with its terms and with the
             requirements prescribed by any and all statutes, orders,
             rules and regulations that are applicable to such RBL
             Benefit Arrangement.

                  (f)  Except as disclosed in the RBL Disclosure
             Schedule, neither RBL nor any of its Subsidiaries has any
             current or projected liability in respect of post-employment
             or post-retirement health and medical benefits for retired
             employees of RBL and its Subsidiaries, except as required to
             avoid excise Tax under Section 4980B of the Code; and no
             condition exists that would prevent RBL or any of its
             Subsidiaries from amending or terminating any RBL Employee
             Plan or RBL Benefit Arrangement providing health or medical
             benefits in respect of any active employee of RBL or any of
             its Subsidiaries other than limitations imposed under the
             terms of a collective bargaining agreement.

                  (g)  Except as disclosed in the RBL Disclosure
             Schedule, there has been no amendment to, written
             interpretation or announcement (whether or not written) by
             RBL or any of its ERISA Affiliates relating to, or change in
             employee participation or coverage under, any RBL Employee
             Plan or RBL Benefit Arrangement which would increase
             materially the expense of maintaining such RBL Employee Plan
             or RBL Benefit Arrangement above the level of the expense
             incurred in respect thereof for the fiscal year ended on the
             RBL Balance Sheet Date (other than those that would not
             result in the representation and warranty set forth in
             Section 4.9(i) becoming untrue as of the Effective Time).

                  (h)  Neither RBL nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party
             to or subject to any collective bargaining or other labor
             union contracts applicable to Persons employed by RBL or its
             Subsidiaries and no collective bargaining agreement is being
             negotiated by RBL or any of its Subsidiaries.  As of the
             date of this Agreement, to the knowledge of RBL, neither RBL
             nor its Subsidiaries, nor their respective representatives
             or employees, has committed any unfair labor practices in
             connection with the operation of the respective businesses
             of RBL or its Subsidiaries, and there is no pending or
             threatened in writing charge or complaint against RBL or its
             Subsidiaries by the NLRB or any comparable state agency,
             except where such unfair labor practice, charge or complaint
             would not have a RBL Material Adverse Effect.

                  SECTION 4.14.  Compliance with Laws; Permits.  (a) 
             Except for violations which do not have and would not
             reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
             aggregate, a RBL Material Adverse Effect, neither RBL nor
             any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of, or has violated,
             any applicable provisions of any laws, statutes, ordinances
             or regulations or any term of any judgment, decree,
             injunction or order outstanding against it.

                  (b)  As of the date of this Agreement, each of RBL and
             its Subsidiaries is in possession of all franchises, grants,
             authorizations, licenses, permits, easements, variances,
             exemptions, consents, certificates, identification numbers,
             approvals and orders (collectively, the "RBL Permits")
             necessary to own, lease and operate its properties and to
             carry on its business as it is now being conducted, and
             there is no action, proceeding or investigation pending or,
             to the knowledge of RBL, threatened regarding suspension or
             cancellation of any of the RBL Permits, except where the
             failure to possess, or the suspension or cancellation of,
             such RBL Permits would not have reasonably be expected to
             have, individually or in the aggregate, a RBL Material
             Adverse Effect.

                  SECTION 4.15.  Finders' Fees.  Except for CS First
             Boston Corporation, whose fees will be paid by as referred
             to in Section 11.4 hereof and as contemplated herein, there
             is no investment banker, broker, finder or other
             intermediary which has been retained by or is authorized to
             act on behalf, of RBL or any of its Subsidiaries who might
             be entitled to any fee or commission from NHL or any of its
             Affiliates upon consummation of the transactions
             contemplated by this Agreement or any of the related
             agreements.  The amount of the fees of CS First Boston
             Corporation have previously been disclosed to NHL.

                  SECTION 4.16.  Environmental Matters.  Except as set
             forth in the RBL Financial Statements or in writing to NHL:

                  (a) (i)  no notice, notification, notice of violation,
             demand, request for information, investigation (whether
             civil or criminal), citation, summons, complaint, order or
             other similar document has been received by, or, to the
             knowledge of RBL or any of its Subsidiaries, is pending or
             threatened by any Person against, RBL or any of its
             Subsidiaries, nor has any material penalty been assessed
             against RBL or any of its Subsidiaries in either case with
             respect to any (A) alleged violation of any Environmental
             Law or liability thereunder, (B) alleged failure to have any
             permit, certificate, license, approval, registration or
             authorization required under any Environmental Law, (C)
             generation, treatment, storage, recycling, transportation or
             disposal of any Hazardous Substance or (D) Release of any
             Hazardous Substance;

                    (ii)    no Hazardous Substance has been Released or
               is present at any property now owned, leased or operated
               by RBL or any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge
               of RBL, has any Hazardous Substance been Released at any
               property formerly owned, leased or operated by RBL, which
               Release or presence, individually or in the aggregate,
               could reasonably be expected to result in a RBL Material
               Adverse Effect;

                   (iii)    there are no RBL Environmental Liabilities
               that have had or may reasonably be expected to have,
               individually or in the aggregate, a RBL Material Adverse
               Effect; and

                    (iv)    there are no circumstances relating to the
               disposal of Hazardous Substances from any properties at
               the time they were owned, leased or operated by RBL that
               could give rise to liabilities under Environmental Laws
               which could reasonably be expected to result,
               individually or in the aggregate, in a RBL Material
               Adverse Effect.

                  (b)  There has been no environmental investigation,
             study, audit, test, review or other analysis conducted since
             1989 of which RBL has knowledge in relation to the current
             or prior business of RBL or any property or facility now or
             previously owned, leased or operated by RBL or any of its
             Subsidiaries, the contents of which could reasonably be
             expected to result in a RBL Material Adverse Effect.

                  (c)  Neither RBL nor any of its Subsidiaries owns or
             leases any real property or industrial facility, or conducts
             any operations, in New Jersey or Connecticut.

                  (d)  For purposes of this Section 4.16, the following
             terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

                     (i)    "RBL" and "Subsidiary" shall include any
               entity which is, in whole or in part, a predecessor of
               RBL or any of its Subsidiaries;

                    (ii)    "RBL Environmental Liabilities" means any and
               all liabilities of or relating to RBL and any of its
               Subsidiaries, whether vested or unvested, contingent or
               fixed, actual or potential, known or unknown, which (A)
               arise under or relate to matters covered by Environmental
               Laws and (B) arose from actions occurring or conditions
               existing on or prior to the Effective Time.

                  SECTION 4.17.  HLR Cash Consideration.  HLR and its
             Affiliates have sufficient funds, investments and credit
             facilities available to pay the HLR Cash Consideration.

                  SECTION 4.18.  Takeover Statutes.  To the best of RBL's
             knowledge, no state takeover statute or similar statute or
             regulation applicable to RBL or HLR applies or purports to
             apply to the HLR Stockholder Agreement, the Merger, the
             Warrants, the Sharing and Call Option Agreement or this
             Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated thereby
             and hereby.

                  SECTION 4.19.  Ownership of NHL Shares.  As of the date
             hereof, HLR, RBL and their Subsidiaries beneficially own,
             collectively, no more than 100 NHL Shares.


                                      ARTICLE 5
                                   COVENANTS OF NHL

                  NHL agrees that:

                  SECTION 5.1.   Conduct of NHL.  From the date hereof
             until the Effective Time, NHL and its Subsidiaries shall in
             all material respects conduct their business in the ordinary
             course and shall use all reasonable efforts to preserve
             intact their business organizations and relationships with
             third parties and to keep available the services of their
             present officers and employees.  Without limiting the
             generality of the foregoing, from the date hereof until the
             Effective Time:

                  (a)  NHL will not adopt or propose any change in its
             certificate of incorporation or bylaws, except as referred
             to in Section 2.1;

                  (b)  Except as contemplated by this Agreement or as set
             forth on the NHL Disclosure Schedule, NHL will not, and will
             not permit any of its Subsidiaries to (i) enter into any
             contract, agreement, plan or arrangement covering any
             director, officer or employee of NHL or any of its
             Subsidiaries that provides for the making of any payments,
             the acceleration of vesting of any benefit or right or any
             other entitlement contingent upon (A) the Merger, the
             exercise by HLR of any of its rights under the HLR
             Stockholder Agreement or any acquisition by HLR of
             securities of NHL (whether by merger, tender offer, private
             or market purchases or otherwise) not prohibited by the HLR
             Stockholder Agreement or (B) the termination of employment
             after the occurrence of any such contingency if such
             payment, acceleration or entitlement would not have been
             provided but for such contingency or (ii) amend any existing
             contract, agreement, plan or arrangement to so provide;

                  (c)  Except for the Merger or as set forth on the NHL
             Disclosure Schedule, NHL will not, and will not permit any
             Subsidiary of NHL to (i) adopt a plan of complete or partial
             liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation,
             restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization or
             (ii) make any acquisition of any business or other material
             assets of any Person, whether by means of merger,
             consolidation or otherwise;

                  (d)  Except as set forth on the NHL Disclosure
             Schedule, NHL will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary
             of NHL to, sell, lease, license or otherwise dispose of any
             material assets or property except (i) pursuant to existing
             contracts or commitments or (ii) in the ordinary course of
             business consistent with past practice;

                  (e)  Except for (i) borrowings under existing credit
             facilities, replacements therefor and refinancings thereof
             and (ii) borrowings in the ordinary course of business
             consistent with past practice, NHL will not, and will not
             permit any Subsidiary of NHL to, incur any indebtedness for
             borrowed money or guarantee any such indebtedness except for
             the financing contemplated by Section 7.2 hereof;

                  (f)  Except pursuant to outstanding Employee Stock
             Options and as contemplated by this Agreement, NHL will not
             issue any NHL Securities; and

                  (g)  NHL will not, and will not permit any of its
             Subsidiaries to, take any action that would result in (i)
             any of the representations and warranties of such party set
             forth in this Agreement that are qualified as to materiality
             becoming untrue, (ii) any of such representations and
             warranties that are not so qualified becoming untrue in any
             material respect or (iii) any of the conditions to the
             Merger set forth in Sections 9.1 or 9.2 not being satisfied.

                  SECTION 5.2.   Stockholder Meeting; Proxy Material;
             Registration Statement; Stock Exchange Listing.  (a)  NHL
             shall cause a meeting of its stockholders (the "NHL
             Stockholder Meeting") to be duly called and held as soon as
             reasonably practicable for the purpose of voting on the
             approval and adoption of this Agreement (and the approval of
             any amendments to NHL's certificate of incorporation as
             referred to in Section 2.1 and the treatment of the Employee
             Stock Options pursuant to Section 1.5).  The Board of
             Directors of NHL shall, subject to their fiduciary duties as
             determined in good faith by the Board of Directors based on
             the advice of outside legal counsel, recommend approval and
             adoption of this Agreement (and approve any such amendments
             and such treatment of holders of Employee Stock Options.  In
             connection with such meeting, NHL (i) will promptly prepare
             and file with the SEC, will use all reasonable efforts to
             have cleared by the SEC the NHL Proxy Statement, (ii) will,
             subject to the fiduciary duties of its Board of Directors,
             use all reasonable efforts to obtain the approval and
             adoption by NHL's stockholders of this Agreement (and
             approve any such amendments and such treatment) and (iii)
             will otherwise comply with all legal requirements applicable
             to such meeting.

                  (b)  As soon as practicable after resolving any
             comments of the SEC staff with respect to the NHL Proxy
             Statement, NHL shall promptly prepare and file with the SEC
             the Registration Statement, in which the NHL Proxy Statement
             will be included as a prospectus.  NHL shall use its best
             efforts to have the Registration Statement declared
             effective under the 1933 Act as promptly as practicable
             after such filing.  NHL will use its best efforts to cause
             the NHL Proxy Statement to be mailed to its stockholders as
             promptly as practicable after the Registration Statement is
             declared effective under the 1933 Act.  NHL shall also take
             any action (other than qualifying to do business in any
             jurisdiction in which it is not now so qualified) required
             to be taken under any applicable state securities laws in
             connection with the issuance of NHL Shares in the Merger. 
             HLR and RBL shall furnish all information concerning the HLR
             and RBL as may be reasonably requested in connection with
             any action contemplated by this Section 5.2.

                  (c)  NHL shall use all reasonable efforts to cause the
             Warrants to be issued as contemplated hereby to be listed on
             the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance and
             evidence of satisfactory distribution.

                  (d) Prior to the date on which the Warrants shall
             become exercisable, in accordance with their terms, NHL
             shall, if required by the Warrant Agreement and applicable
             law, prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement
             relating to the NHL Shares issuable upon exercise of the
             Warrants.  NHL shall use its best efforts to cause the
             registration statement to be declared effective prior to the
             date the Warrants become exercisable.

                  SECTION 5.3.   Access to Information; Confidentiality. 
             (a)  From the date hereof until the Effective Time, NHL will
             give HLR, RBL, their counsel, financial advisors, auditors
             and other authorized representatives reasonable access
             during normal business hours to the offices, properties,
             books and records of NHL and its Subsidiaries, will furnish
             to HLR, RBL and their counsel, financial advisors, auditors
             and other authorized representatives such financial and
             operating data and other information as such Persons may
             reasonably request and will instruct NHL's employees,
             counsel and financial advisors to cooperate with HLR and RBL
             in their investigation of NHL and its Subsidiaries, provided
             that no investigation pursuant to this Section 5.3 shall
             affect any representation or warranty given by NHL to HLR
             and RBL hereunder and provided further that the foregoing
             shall not require NHL to permit any inspection, or to
             disclose any information, which in the reasonable judgment
             of NHL would result in the disclosure of any trade secrets
             of third parties or violate any obligation of NHL with
             respect to confidentiality if NHL shall have used reasonable
             efforts to obtain the consent of such third party to such
             inspection or disclosure.  All requests for information made
             pursuant to this Section 5.3 shall be directed to an
             executive officer of NHL or such Person as may be designated
             by the Chief Executive Officer of NHL

                  (b)  Prior to the Effective Time and after any
             termination of this Agreement, NHL will hold, and will use
             its best efforts to cause its officers, directors,
             employees, counsel, financial advisors, auditors and other
             advisors and agents to hold, in confidence, unless compelled
             to disclose by judicial or administrative process or by
             other requirements of law, all confidential documents and
             information concerning HLR, RBL and RBL's Subsidiaries
             furnished to NHL in connection with the transactions
             contemplated by this Agreement, except to the extent that
             such information can be shown to have been (i) previously
             known by NHL on a nonconfidential basis or on a basis which
             permits use on a less restrictive basis than this Section
             5.3(b), (ii) in the public domain through no fault of NHL or
             (iii) later lawfully acquired by NHL from sources other than
             RBL or HLR or their Affiliates, advisors or representatives,
             provided that NHL may disclose such information to its
             officers, directors, employees, accountants, counsel,
             consultants, advisors and agents in connection with the
             transactions contemplated by this Agreement and to its
             lenders in connection with obtaining the financing for the
             transactions contemplated by this Agreement so long as such
             Persons are informed by NHL of the confidential nature of
             such information and are directed by NHL to treat such
             information confidentially.  NHL's obligation to hold any
             such information in confidence shall be satisfied if it
             exercises the same care with respect to such information as
             it would take to preserve the confidentiality of its own
             similar information.  If this Agreement is terminated, NHL
             will, and will use its best efforts to cause its officers,
             directors, employees, accountants, counsel, consultants,
             advisors and agents to, destroy or deliver to RBL or HLR,
             upon request, all documents and other materials, and all
             copies thereof, obtained by NHL or on its behalf from RBL or
             HLR in connection with this Agreement that are subject to
             such confidence.

                  SECTION 5.4.   Other Offers.  (a)  From the date hereof
             until the termination of this Agreement in accordance with
             Section 10.1, NHL shall not, nor shall it permit any of its
             Subsidiaries to, nor shall it authorize or permit any
             officer, director or employee of, or any investment banker,
             attorney or other advisor or representative of NHL or any of
             its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit,
             initiate or encourage the submission of any "Acquisition
             Proposal" (as defined below) or (ii) participate in any
             discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any
             Person any information with respect to, or take any other
             action to facilitate any inquiries or the making of any
             proposal that constitutes, or may reasonably be expected to
             lead to, any Acquisition Proposal, provided, however, that
             to the extent required by the fiduciary obligations of the
             Board of Directors of NHL, as determined in good faith by
             the Board of Directors based on the advice of outside
             counsel, NHL may, (A) in response to an unsolicited request
             therefor, furnish information with respect to NHL to any
             Person pursuant to a customary confidentiality agreement (as
             determined by NHL's outside counsel) and discuss (1) such
             information (but not the terms of any possible Acquisition
             Proposal) and (2) the terms of this Section 5.4 with such
             Person and (B) upon receipt by NHL of an Acquisition
             Proposal, following delivery to HLR of the notice required
             pursuant to Section 5.4(c), participate in negotiations
             regarding such Acquisition Proposal.  Without limiting the
             foregoing, it is understood that any violation of the
             restrictions set forth in the preceding sentence by any
             officer, director or employee of NHL or any of its
             Subsidiaries or any investment banker, attorney or other
             advisor or representative of NHL or any of its Subsidiaries,
             whether or not such Person is purporting to act on behalf of
             NHL or any of its Subsidiaries or otherwise, shall be deemed
             to be a breach of this Section 5.4 by NHL.  For purposes of
             this Agreement, "Acquisition Proposal" means any proposal
             for a merger or other business combination involving NHL or
             any of its Subsidiaries or any proposal or offer to acquire
             in any manner, directly or indirectly, an equity interest in
             securities representing not less than 20% of the outstanding
             voting securities of, or assets representing not less than
             10% of the annual revenues of NHL or any of its
             Subsidiaries, other than the transactions contemplated by
             this Agreement or the Sharing and Call Option Agreement.

                  (b)  Neither the Board of Directors of NHL nor any
             committee thereof shall (i) withdraw or modify, or propose
             to withdraw or modify, in a manner adverse to RBL or HLR,
             the approval or recommendation by such Board of Directors or
             any such committee of this Agreement or the Merger (or the
             other transactions contemplated hereby), (ii) approve or
             recommend, or propose to approve or recommend, any
             Acquisition Proposal or (iii) enter into any agreement with
             respect to any Acquisition Proposal.  Notwithstanding the
             foregoing, in the event the Board of Directors of NHL
             receives an Acquisition Proposal that, in the exercise of
             its fiduciary obligations (as determined in good faith by
             the Board of Directors after reviewing the advice of outside
             counsel), it determines to be a Superior Proposal (as
             defined below), the Board of Directors may (subject to the
             following sentences) withdraw or modify its approval or
             recommendation of this Agreement or the Merger, approve or
             recommend any such Superior Proposal, enter into an
             agreement with respect to such Superior Proposal or
             terminate this Agreement, in each case at any time after the
             second business day following HLR's receipt of written
             notice (a "Notice of Superior Proposal") advising HLR that
             the Board of Directors has received a Superior Proposal,
             specifying the material terms and conditions of such
             Superior Proposal and identifying the Person making such
             Superior Proposal.  For purposes of this Agreement, a
             "Superior Proposal" means any bona fide Acquisition Proposal
             on terms which the Board of Directors of NHL determines in
             its good faith reasonable judgment (after reviewing the
             advice of a financial advisor of nationally recognized
             reputation) to be more favorable to NHL's stockholders than
             the Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby.

                  (c)  In addition to the obligations of NHL set forth in
             Section 5.4(b) above, NHL shall promptly advise HLR orally
             and in writing of any request for information or of any
             Acquisition Proposal, or any inquiry with respect to or
             which could lead to any Acquisition Proposal, the material
             terms and conditions of such request, Acquisition Proposal
             or inquiry, and the identity of the Person making any such
             Acquisition Proposal or inquiry.  NHL will keep HLR fully
             informed of the status and details of any such request,
             Acquisition Proposal or inquiry.

                  (d)  NHL shall immediately cease and cause to be
             terminated all existing discussions and negotiations, if
             any, with any parties (other than RBL or HLR) conducted
             heretofore with respect to any Acquisition Proposal.

                  SECTION 5.5.   Notices of Certain Events.  NHL shall
             promptly notify HLR of:

                  (a)  any notice or other communication from any Person
             alleging that the consent of such Person is or may be
             required in connection with the transactions contemplated by
             this Agreement;

                  (b)  any notice or other communication from any
             governmental or regulatory agency or authority in connection
             with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and

                  (c)  any actions, suits, claims, investigations or
             proceedings commenced or, to the best of its knowledge
             threatened against, relating to or involving or otherwise
             affecting NHL or any of its Subsidiaries which, if pending
             on the date of this Agreement, would have been required to
             have been disclosed pursuant to Section 3.12 or which relate
             to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
             Agreement, the HLR Stockholder Agreement, the Warrant
             Agreement or the Sharing and Call Option Agreement.

                  SECTION 5.6.   Tax Matters.  From the date hereof until
             the Effective Time, (i) NHL and its Subsidiaries will file
             all material Tax returns, statements, reports and forms
             (collectively, the "NHL Post-Signing Returns") required to
             be filed with any taxing authority in accordance with all
             applicable laws, (ii) NHL and its Subsidiaries will timely
             pay all Taxes shown as due and payable on the NHL Post-
             Signing Returns that are so filed and as of the time of
             filing, the NHL Post-Signing Returns will correctly reflect
             the facts regarding the income, business, assets,
             operations, activities and the status of NHL and its
             Subsidiaries in all material respects, (iii) NHL and its
             Subsidiaries will make provision for all Taxes payable by
             NHL and its Subsidiaries for which no NHL Post-Signing
             Return is due prior to the Effective Time, and (iv) NHL and
             its Subsidiaries will promptly notify HLR of any action,
             suit, proceeding, investigation, audit or claim pending
             against or with respect to NHL or any of its Subsidiaries in
             respect of any Tax where there is a reasonable possibility
             of a determination or decision which would reasonably be
             expected to have a significant adverse effect on NHL's Tax
             liabilities or other Tax attributes.

                  SECTION 5.7.   Board Composition.  Prior to the
             Effective Time, the Board of Directors of NHL shall take all
             action as is necessary to make effective as of the Effective
             Time the resignations from the NHL Board of Directors of any
             Persons then serving on the Board of Directors who are not
             identified on the certificate delivered by HLR to NHL
             pursuant to Section 2.3 and to cause each of the persons
             designated to be directors in such certificate to be duly
             appointed to the Surviving Corporation's Board of Directors,
             in each case effective at the Effective Time.


                                      ARTICLE 6
                               COVENANTS OF HLR AND RBL

                  HLR and RBL agree that:

                  SECTION 6.1.   Conduct of RBL.  From the date hereof
             until the Effective Time, RBL and its Subsidiaries shall in
             all material respects conduct their business in the ordinary
             course and shall use all reasonable efforts to preserve
             intact their business organizations and relationships with
             third parties and to keep available the services of their
             present officers and employees.  Without limiting the
             generality of the foregoing, from the date hereof until the
             Effective Time:

                  (a)  RBL will not adopt or propose any change in its
             certificate of incorporation or bylaws;

                  (b)  Except as contemplated by this Agreement or as set
             forth on the RBL Disclosure Schedule, RBL will not, and will
             not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (i) enter into any
             contract, agreement, plan or arrangement covering any
             director, officer or employee of RBL or any of its
             Subsidiaries that provides for the making of any payments,
             the acceleration of vesting of any benefit or right or any
             other entitlement contingent upon (A) the Merger or any
             acquisition by HLR of securities of NHL (whether by merger,
             tender offer, private or market purchases or otherwise) not
             prohibited by the HLR Stockholder Agreement or (B) the
             termination of employment after the occurrence of any such
             contingency if such payment, acceleration or entitlement
             would not have been provided but for such contingency or
             (ii) amend any existing contract, agreement, plan or
             arrangement to so provide;

                  (c)  Except for the Merger or as set forth on the RBL
             Disclosure Schedule, RBL will not, and will not permit any
             Subsidiary of RBL to (i) adopt a plan of complete or partial
             liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation,
             restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization
             other than into or with RBL or any Subsidiary of RBL or (ii)
             make any acquisition of any business or other material
             assets of any Person, whether by means of merger,
             consolidation or otherwise;

                  (d)  Except as set forth on the RBL Disclosure
             Schedule, RBL will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary
             of RBL to, sell, lease, license or otherwise dispose of any
             material assets or property except (i) pursuant to existing
             contracts or commitments, (ii) in the ordinary course of
             business consistent with past practice, (iii) as NHL agrees
             in writing or (iv) that RBL or a Subsidiary thereof may
             dispose of or transfer that certain business known as RIAS
             the assets and liabilities of which have been disclosed in
             writing to NHL prior to the date hereof, and the proceeds of
             such disposition may be paid in a dividend or otherwise to
             HLR or any other Person;

                  (e)  Except as set forth on the RBL Disclosure Schedule
             or as contemplated by Section 6.7 hereof, RBL will not, and
             will not permit any Subsidiary of RBL to, declare, set
             aside, or apply any dividend or make any other distribution
             with respect to any shares of RBL capital stock;

                  (f)  Except for (i) borrowings under existing credit
             facilities, replacements therefor and refinancings thereof
             and (ii) borrowings in the ordinary course of business
             consistent with past practice, RBL will not, and will not
             permit any Subsidiary of RBL to, incur any indebtedness for
             borrowed money or guarantee any such indebtedness;

                  (g)  RBL will not issue any RBL Securities other than
             to HLR;

                  (h)  RBL will not, and will cause its Affiliates not
             to, directly or indirectly, acquire any NHL Shares prior to
             any termination fee becoming payable to HLR pursuant to
             Section 11.4(b) hereof; and

                  (i)  RBL will not, and will not permit any of its
             Subsidiaries to, take any action that would result in (i)
             any of the representations and warranties of such party set
             forth in this Agreement that are qualified as to materiality
             becoming untrue, (ii) any of such representations and
             warranties that are not so qualified becoming untrue in any
             material respect or (iii) any of the conditions to the
             Merger set forth in Sections 9.1 or 9.3 not being satisfied.

                  SECTION 6.2.   Access to Information; Confidentiality.  
             (a)  From the date hereof until the Effective Time, HLR and
             RBL will give NHL, its counsel, financial advisors, auditors
             and other authorized representatives reasonable access
             during normal business hours to the offices, properties,
             books and records of RBL and its Subsidiaries, will furnish
             to NHL and its counsel, financial advisors, auditors and
             other authorized representatives such financial and
             operating data and other information as such Persons may
             reasonably request and will instruct RBL's employees,
             counsel and financial advisors to cooperate with NHL in its
             investigation of RBL and its Subsidiaries, provided that no
             investigation pursuant to this Section 6.2 shall affect any
             representation or warranty given by HLR or RBL to NHL
             hereunder and provided further that the foregoing shall not
             require RBL or HLR to permit any inspection, or to disclose
             any information, which in the reasonable judgment of RBL or
             HLR would result in the disclosure of any trade secrets of
             third parties or violate any obligation of RBL or HLR with
             respect to confidentiality if RBL or HLR, as the case may
             be, shall have used reasonable efforts to obtain the consent
             of such third party to such inspection or disclosure.  All
             requests for information made pursuant to this Section 6.2
             shall be directed to an executive officer of RBL or such
             Person as may be designated by the Chief Executive Officer
             of RBL.

                  (b)  Prior to the Effective Time and after any
             termination of this Agreement, each of HLR and RBL will
             hold, and will use its best efforts to cause its officers,
             directors, employees, counsel, financial advisors, auditors
             and other advisors and agents to hold, in confidence, unless
             compelled to disclose by judicial or administrative process
             or by other requirements of law, all confidential documents
             and information concerning NHL and its Subsidiaries
             furnished to each of HLR and RBL in connection with the
             transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except to the
             extent that such information can be shown to have been (i)
             previously known by HLR or RBL on a nonconfidential basis or
             on a basis which permits use on terms less restrictive than
             this Section 6.2(b), (ii) in the public domain through no
             fault of each of HLR or RBL or (iii) later lawfully acquired
             by HLR or RBL from sources other than NHL or its Affiliates,
             advisors or representatives, provided that each of HLR and
             RBL may disclose such information to its officers,
             directors, employees, accountants, counsel, consultants,
             advisors and agents in connection with the transactions
             contemplated by this Agreement and to its lenders in
             connection with obtaining the financing for the transactions
             contemplated by this Agreement so long as such Persons are
             informed by each of HLR and RBL of the confidential nature
             of such information and are directed by each of HLR and RBL
             to treat such information confidentially.  Each of HLR's and
             RBL's obligation to hold any such information in confidence
             shall be satisfied if it exercises the same care with
             respect to such information as it would take to preserve the
             confidentiality of its own similar information.  If this
             Agreement is terminated, each of HLR and RBL will, and will
             use its best efforts to cause its officers, directors,
             employees, accountants, counsel, consultants, advisors and
             agents to, destroy or deliver to NHL, upon request, all
             documents and other materials, and all copies thereof,
             obtained by either of HLR and RBL or on its behalf from NHL
             in connection with this Agreement that are subject to such
             confidence.

                  SECTION 6.3.   Voting of Shares.  Each of HLR and RBL
             agrees to vote any NHL Shares beneficially owned by it in
             favor of adoption of this Agreement and the Merger
             (including any amendments to NHL's certificate of
             incorporation as referred to in Section 2.1 and the
             treatment of any Employee Stock Options pursuant to Section
             1.5 at the NHL Stockholder Meeting.

                  SECTION 6.4.   Notices of Certain Events.  RBL shall
             promptly notify NHL of:

                  (a)  any notice or other communication from any Person
             alleging that the consent of such Person is or may be
             required in connection with the transactions contemplated by
             this Agreement;

                  (b)  any notice or other communication from any
             governmental or regulatory agency or authority in connection
             with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and

                  (c)  any actions, suits, claims, investigations or
             proceedings commenced or, to the best of its knowledge
             threatened against, relating to or involving or otherwise
             affecting RBL or any of its Subsidiaries which, if pending
             on the date of this Agreement, would have been required to
             have been disclosed pursuant to Section 4.11 or which relate
             to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
             Agreement or the Sharing and Call Option Agreement.

                  SECTION 6.5.   Tax Matters.  From the date hereof until
             the Effective Time, (i) HLR/RBL and RBL's Subsidiaries will
             file all material Tax returns, statements, reports and forms
             (collectively, the "HLR/RBL Post-Signing Returns") required
             to be filed with any taxing authority in accordance with all
             applicable laws, (ii) HLR/RBL and RBL's Subsidiaries will
             timely pay all Taxes shown as due and payable on the
             respective HLR/RBL Post-Signing Returns that are so filed
             and as of the time of filing, the HLR/RBL Post-Signing
             Returns will correctly reflect the facts regarding the
             income, business, assets, operations, activities and the
             status of HLR/RBL and RBL's Subsidiaries in all material
             respects, (iii) HLR/RBL and RBL's Subsidiaries will make
             provision for all respective Taxes payable by HLR/RBL and
             RBL's Subsidiaries for which no HLR/RBL Post-Signing Return
             is due prior to the Effective Time and (iv) HLR/RBL and
             RBL's Subsidiaries will promptly notify NHL of any action,
             suit, proceeding, investigation, audit or claim pending
             against or with respect to HLR/RBL or any of RBL's
             Subsidiaries in respect of any Tax where there is a
             reasonable possibility of a determination or decision which
             would reasonably be expected to have a significant adverse
             effect on HLR/RBL's Tax liabilities or other Tax attributes.

                  SECTION 6.6.   NHL Employment Agreements.  HLR will not
             and will use its best efforts to cause its Affiliates not to
             take any action to prevent NHL from honoring  the financial
             terms of the existing employment agreements between NHL and
             its employees to the extent that copies of such agreements
             have been provided to HLR prior to the date hereof (or if
             not so provided, if such agreements were entered into after
             the date hereof and would not result in any of the
             representations and warranties of NHL hereunder becoming
             untrue at the Effective Time and which are otherwise entered
             into in compliance with this Agreement).

                  SECTION 6.7.   Certain Actions Regarding RBL.  (a) 
             Prior to the Effective Time, HLR and RBL will prepare a pro
             forma balance sheet for RBL and its Subsidiaries (excluding
             RIAS) as of December 31, 1994 (the "Pro Forma Balance
             Sheet") to eliminate any outstanding intercompany account
             balances (other than current trade payables but including
             any intercompany balances with respect to Taxes) as of that
             date and to remove and eliminate as liabilities of RBL and
             any of its Subsidiaries indebtedness for borrowed money
             ("Borrowed Funds"), such that the aggregate liabilities of
             RBL and its Subsidiaries (excluding RIAS) for Borrowed Funds
             as of December 31, 1994, reduced by cash and cash
             equivalents as of that date, shall not exceed $44,000,000
             (the "Net Debt Amount").  HLR and RBL will cause the assets
             and liabilities of RBL and its Subsidiaries at the Effective
             Time to be consistent with the amounts set forth in the Pro
             Forma Balance Sheet (other than intercompany account
             balances relating to federal income Taxes of RBL and its
             Subsidiaries for the Pre-Merger Tax Period (as defined in
             Section 8.1) that begins on January 1, 1995 and ends on the
             date on which the Effective Time occurs, which shall be
             settled in the manner provided in Section 8.4(a)), adjusted
             to give effect to the operations (on an arm's length basis)
             of RBL and its Subsidiaries since January 1, 1995.

                  (b)  From January 1, 1995 until the Effective Time, no
             interest will be charged or paid on any intercompany account
             or on any Borrowed Funds, except to the extent of the
             interest that would accrue during the period beginning on
             January 1, 1995 and ending at the Effective Time on the Net
             Debt Amount at the interest rate provided under the
             agreement with the Swiss Bank Corporation, or if any
             interest is paid during such period to a third party, HLR
             will repay to RBL the excess over the amount which would be
             payable at such Swiss Bank Corporation interest rate.



                                      ARTICLE 7
                            COVENANTS OF HLR, RBL AND NHL

                  The parties hereto agree that:

                  SECTION 7.1.   Reasonable Efforts.  Upon the terms and
             subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, each
             of the parties agrees to use reasonable efforts to take, or
             cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be
             done, and to assist and cooperate with the other parties in
             doing, all things necessary, proper or advisable to
             consummate and make effective, in the most expeditious
             manner practicable, the Merger and the other transactions
             contemplated by this Agreement, including (i) the obtaining
             of all necessary actions or nonactions, waivers, consents
             and approvals from governmental entities and the making of
             all necessary registrations and filings (including filings
             with governmental entities, if any) and the taking of all
             reasonable steps as may be necessary to obtain an approval
             or waiver from, or to avoid an action or proceeding by, any
             governmental entity provided, however that in so doing none
             of HLR, RBL or their respective Affiliates shall be
             obligated to accept or be subject to an HLR Adverse
             Condition (as defined in Section 9.2(d) and NHL shall not be
             obligated to accept or be subject to an NHL Adverse
             Condition as defined in Section 9.3(d)), (ii) the obtaining
             of all necessary consents, approvals or waivers from third
             parties and (iii) the execution and delivery of any
             additional instruments necessary to consummate the
             transactions contemplated by, and to fully carry out the
             purposes of, this Agreement; provided that the foregoing
             shall not (a) require HLR to furnish, other than for RBL and
             RBL's Subsidiaries, financial statements prepared in
             accordance with United States GAAP or any reconciliation of
             financial statements with United States GAAP or (b) prohibit
             the Board of Directors of NHL from taking any action
             permitted by Section 5.4.

                  SECTION 7.2.   Cash Consideration.  Each of HLR and RBL
             will use their good faith best efforts from and after the
             date hereof to assist NHL in NHL's effecting of the
             refinancing of NHL's existing indebtedness and obtaining new
             financing sufficient for NHL to pay the NHL Cash
             Consideration as contemplated hereby.  NHL will use its good
             faith best efforts from and after the date hereof to effect
             the refinancing of NHL's existing indebtedness and to obtain
             new financing sufficient for NHL to pay the NHL Cash
             Consideration as contemplated hereby (and NHL will deposit
             the NHL Cash Consideration with the Exchange Agent as
             contemplated by Section 1.3 hereof), it being understood and
             agreed by the parties hereto that none of the parties hereto
             shall have any liability to any other party hereto or any
             other Person if such financing and refinancing, including
             sufficient financing for the NHL Cash Consideration, is not
             obtained by NHL and the parties have complied with the
             provisions of this Section 7.2.  HLR will deposit the HLR
             Cash Consideration with the Exchange Agent as  contemplated
             by Section 1.3.

                  Each of HLR and NHL acknowledge receipt of the Credit
             Suisse commitment letter to NHL dated December 13, 1994
             relating to possible financing of the NHL Cash Consideration
             (the "CS Commitment Letter").

                  SECTION 7.3.   Public Announcements.  NHL, HLR and RBL
             will use all reasonable efforts to consult with each other
             before issuing any press release or making any public
             statement with respect to this Agreement and the
             transactions contemplated hereby or thereby and, except as
             may be required by applicable law or any listing agreement
             with any national securities exchange, will use all
             reasonable efforts not to issue any such press release or
             make any such public statement prior to such consultation
             and agreement among the parties with respect to the
             substance thereof.

                  SECTION 7.4.   Further Assurances.  At and after the
             Effective Time, the officers and directors of the Surviving
             Corporation will be authorized to execute and deliver, in
             the name and on behalf of NHL or RBL, any deeds, bills of
             sale, assignments or assurances and to take and do, in the
             name and on behalf of NHL or RBL, any other actions and
             things to vest, perfect or confirm of record or otherwise in
             the Surviving Corporation any and all right, title and
             interest in, to and under any of the rights, properties or
             assets of NHL acquired or to be acquired by the Surviving
             Corporation as a result of, or in connection with, the
             Merger.

                  SECTION 7.5.   HLR Stockholder Agreement.  HLR and NHL
             each agree to execute and deliver the HLR Stockholder
             Agreement immediately prior to the Effective Time.

                  SECTION 7.6.   Indemnification and Insurance.  (a)  The
             certificate of incorporation and the bylaws of the Surviving
             Corporation shall contain the provisions with respect to
             indemnification set forth in NHL's certificate of
             incorporation and bylaws on the date of this Agreement,
             which provisions shall not be amended, repealed or otherwise
             modified for a period of six years from the Effective Time
             in any manner that would adversely affect the rights
             thereunder of individuals who on or prior to the Effective
             Time were directors, officers, employees or agents of NHL or
             RBL, unless such modification is required by law, and the
             Surviving Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless the
             present and former officers and directors of NHL and RBL in
             respect of acts or omissions occurring prior to the
             Effective Time to the maximum extent provided thereunder;
             provided that such indemnification shall (to the maximum
             extent permitted by law) be mandatory rather than permissive
             except in instances involving wilful misconduct or bad faith
             and that the Surviving Corporation shall advance expenses,
             including attorneys' fees promptly on demand and delivery of
             any required undertaking.  For six years after the Effective
             Time, the Surviving Corporation will cause to be maintained
             the current policies of officers' and directors' liability
             insurance in respect of acts or omissions occurring prior to
             the Effective Time covering each such Person currently
             covered by RBL's officers' and directors' liability
             insurance policy or NHL's officers' and directors' liability
             insurance policy or who becomes covered thereby prior to the
             Effective Time, provided that the Surviving Corporation may
             substitute therefor policies of at least the same coverage
             containing terms and conditions which in all material
             respects are no less favorable than those of the policies in
             effect on the date hereof for so long as such substitution
             does not result in gaps or lapses in coverage; and provided
             further that in satisfying its obligation under this
             Section, the Surviving Corporation shall not be obligated to
             pay premiums in excess of 200% of the aggregate amount per
             annum which RBL and NHL paid in their last full fiscal
             years, but provided further, that the Surviving Corporation
             shall be obligated to provide such coverage as may be
             obtained for such amount.  The Surviving Corporation shall
             pay all expenses (including attorneys' fees) that may be
             incurred by any indemnified party in enforcing the indemnity
             and other obligations provided for in this Section 7.6.  The
             obligations of the Surviving Corporation under this Section
             7.6 shall not be terminated or modified in such manner as to
             adversely affect directors and officers to whom this
             Section 7.6 applies without the consent of such director or
             officer.  RBL's and NHL's directors and officers, present
             and former, and their heirs, executors and personal
             representatives to whom this Section 7.6 applies shall be
             third party beneficiaries of this Section.


                                      ARTICLE 8
                                     TAX MATTERS

                  SECTION 8.1.   Definitions.  The following terms, as
             used herein, have the following meanings:

                  "HLR Group" means, with respect to federal income
             Taxes, the Affiliated group of corporations (as defined in
             Section 1504(a) of the Code) of which HLR is a member and,
             with respect to state income or franchise Taxes, the
             consolidated, combined or unitary group of which HLR or any
             of its Affiliates is a member.

                  "NHL Group" means, with respect to federal income
             Taxes, the Affiliated group of corporations (as defined in
             Section 1504(a) of the Code) of which NHL (or, after the
             Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation) is a member and,
             with respect to state income or franchise Taxes, the
             consolidated, combined or unitary group of which NHL or any
             of its Affiliates is a member.

                  "Post-Merger Tax Period" means any Tax period that is
             not a Pre-Merger Tax Period.

                  "Pre-Merger Tax Period" means any Tax period ending on
             or before the date on which the Effective Time occurs, and
             the portions ending on such date of any Tax Period that
             includes (but does not end on) such day.

                  "Tax Sharing Agreement" means all existing written or
             unwritten Tax sharing agreements or arrangements, including
             agreements or arrangements based on past practices, binding
             RBL or any of its Subsidiaries.

                  SECTION 8.2.   Tax Covenants.  (a)  The Surviving
             Corporation shall promptly pay or shall cause prompt payment
             to be made to HLR of all refunds of Taxes and interest
             thereon received by the Surviving Corporation or any
             Subsidiary of the Surviving Corporation attributable to
             Taxes paid by HLR, RBL or any Subsidiary of RBL (or any
             predecessor of HLR or any Subsidiary of HLR) with respect to
             any Pre-Merger Tax Period, provided that (i) in the case of
             refunds attributable to RBL or any of its Subsidiaries
             relating to federal income Taxes for Pre-Merger Tax Periods
             with respect to which no return has been filed (and is not
             yet due) at the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation
             shall be obligated to pay or cause prompt payment to be made
             to HLR of such refunds only to the extent that such refunds
             exceed the amount paid by RBL or the Surviving Corporation
             to HLR pursuant to Section 8.4(a) or (b), and (ii) the
             Surviving Corporation shall not be obligated to pay or cause
             to be paid to HLR any refunds with respect to Taxes (other
             than federal income Taxes) with respect to any Pre-Merger
             Tax Period with respect to which no return has been filed
             (and is not yet due) at the Effective Time.

                  (b)  All transfer, real estate gains, documentary,
             sales, use, stamp, registration and other such Taxes and
             fees (including any penalties and interest) incurred in
             connection with this Agreement shall be borne and paid by
             the Surviving Corporation, and the Surviving Corporation
             will, at its own expense, file all necessary Tax returns and
             other documentation with respect to all such Taxes and fees,
             and, if required by applicable law, HLR will, and will cause
             its Subsidiaries to, join in the execution of any such Tax
             returns and other documentation.

                  (c)  In the event that it is determined that the
             Surviving Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries is a member
             of the HLR Group on a consolidated, combined or unitary
             basis for purposes of any income or franchise Tax imposed by
             any state or local taxing jurisdiction, HLR and the
             Surviving Corporation agree to negotiate in good faith with
             each other and with the other members of such HLR Group in
             an attempt to enter into an agreement regarding the
             allocation of liability for and/or indemnification with
             respect to such Tax among the members of such HLR Group on
             such basis as the parties may agree is appropriate and
             equitable.

                  (d)  (i)  Neither NHL nor any of its Subsidiaries will
             take or permit any action prior to the Effective Time that
             is reasonably likely to prevent the Merger from qualifying
             as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)
             of the Code.

                    (ii)    The Surviving Corporation shall promptly
               indemnify HLR or any other member of the HLR Group for
               any liability for Taxes or loss arising as a result of
               the breach by NHL or any of its Subsidiaries of its
               obligations under Section 8.2(d)(i) the representation
               contained in Section 3.13(k) or the representations and
               covenants contained in the NHL Representations Letter (as
               defined in Section 8.2(h) (other than covenant (3)
               therein)) that results in the Merger failing to qualify
               as a reorganization within the meaning of Section
               368(a)(1) of the Code (or any comparable provision of
               state or local tax law).

                  (e)  (i)  During the period beginning on the date
             hereof and ending two years after the Effective Time,
             neither HLR nor any of its Subsidiaries will take or permit
             any action or, after the Effective Time, cause the Surviving
             Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries to take or permit any
             action, that is reasonably likely to prevent the Merger from
             qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Section
             368(a)(1) of the Code.

                    (ii)    HLR shall promptly indemnify the Surviving
               Corporation or any other member of the NHL Group for any
               liability for Taxes or loss arising as a result of the
               breach by HLR or any of its Subsidiaries of its
               obligations under Section 8.2(e)(i), the representation
               contained in Section 4.12(k) or the representations and
               covenants contained in the HLR Representations Letter (as
               defined in Section 8.2(i)) that results in the Merger
               failing to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning
               of Section 368(a)(1) of the Code (or any comparable
               provision of state or local tax law), or in the
               recognition of gain by RBL pursuant to Section 357(c) of
               the Code (or any other provision of state or local tax
               law).

                  (f)  HLR shall promptly indemnify the Surviving
             Corporation or any other member of the NHL Group for (i) all
             Taxes of RBL and its Subsidiaries for any Pre-Merger Tax
             Period, but, with respect to Taxes (other than federal
             income taxes) for any Pre-Merger Tax Period with respect to
             which no return has been filed (and is not yet due) at the
             Effective Time, only to the extent in each case that such
             Tax exceeds the portion of the Tax shown as due on the
             return which includes such Pre-Merger Tax Period that is
             attributable to such Pre-Merger Tax Period; and (ii) all
             Taxes of any member of the HLR Group (other than RBL and its
             Subsidiaries, and for any Post-Merger Tax Period, the
             Surviving Corporation and its Subsidiaries) with respect to
             any Pre-Merger or Post-Merger Tax Period.

                  (g)  None of the Surviving Corporation, any other
             member of the NHL Group, HLR, or any other member of the HLR
             Group shall settle or pay any claim for Taxes with respect
             to which the Surviving Corporation or HLR, as the case may
             be, is obligated to make any payment pursuant to Sections
             8.2(d)(ii), 8.2(e)(ii) or 8.2(f) without the consent of the
             Surviving Corporation or HLR, as the case may be, which
             consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

                  (h)  NHL agrees to execute and deliver a letter, dated
             as of the date on which the Effective Time occurs, in the
             form set forth in Exhibit B hereto (the "NHL Representations
             Letter") to each of counsel for NHL and counsel for RBL and
             HLR prior to the Effective Time.

                  (i)  HLR agrees to execute and deliver a letter, dated
             as the date on which the Effective Time occurs, in the form
             set forth in Exhibit C hereto (the "HLR Representations
             Letter") to each of counsel for NHL and counsel for RBL and
             HLR prior to the Effective Time.

                  SECTION 8.3.   Termination of Existing Tax Sharing
             Agreements.  Any and all existing Tax Sharing Agreements
             between RBL or any Subsidiary of RBL and any member of the
             HLR Group shall be terminated as of the date on which the
             Effective Time occurs.  After such date neither RBL, any
             Subsidiary of RBL, HLR nor any Subsidiary of HLR shall have
             any further rights or liabilities thereunder.  This
             Agreement shall be the sole Tax sharing agreement relating
             to RBL or any Subsidiary of RBL for all Pre-Merger and Post-
             Merger Tax Periods.

                  SECTION 8.4.   Tax Sharing.  (a) (i) Immediately before
             the Effective Time, RBL shall pay to HLR an amount equal to
             the federal income Taxes of RBL and its Subsidiaries with
             respect to the Pre-Merger Tax Period that ends on the date
             of the Effective Time.  The amount of such payment in
             respect of such Taxes shall be based upon HLR's reasonable
             good faith estimates of the amounts of federal taxable
             income of RBL and its Subsidiaries (determined as if RBL and
             its Subsidiaries filed a consolidated federal income Tax
             return with RBL as the common parent) for such Pre-Merger
             Tax Period and an effective federal tax rate of 35%, and
             reduced by the amount of any payments on account of such
             Taxes previously paid by RBL or any of its Subsidiaries to
             HLR, any other member of the HLR Group (other than RBL and
             its Subsidiaries) or the IRS.

                    (ii)    At such time as the HLR Group prepares its
               federal income tax return for such Pre-Merger Tax Period,
               it shall deliver to the Surviving Corporation a pro forma
               return (each a "Pro Forma Return") for RBL and its
               Subsidiaries which calculates the amount of federal
               income Taxes that RBL and its Subsidiaries would have
               paid with respect to such Pre-Merger Tax Period had RBL
               timely filed its own consolidated federal income Tax
               return including its Subsidiaries (with RBL as the common
               parent) for such Pre-Merger Tax Period.  The Surviving
               Corporation shall have the right at its expense to review
               all work papers and procedures used to prepare such Pro
               Forma Return.  Unless the Surviving Corporation timely
               objects as specified in this Section 8.4(a)(ii) such Pro
               Forma Return shall be binding on the parties without
               further adjustment.  If the Surviving Corporation objects
               to any item on such Pro Forma Return, it shall notify HLR
               in writing that it so objects, specifying with
               particularity any such item and the factual or legal
               basis for its objection, within 10 days after delivery of
               such Pro Forma Return.  If HLR and the Surviving
               Corporation are unable to reach agreement on such items
               within 20 days after HLR receives such notice, the
               disputed items shall be resolved by a nationally
               recognized accounting firm with no material relationship
               to the Surviving Corporation, HLR or any of their
               Affiliates, chosen within 5 days of the date upon which
               the need to retain such firm arises by and mutually
               acceptable to both HLR and the Surviving Corporation. 
               The costs and expenses of retaining such firm shall be
               borne equally by HLR and the Surviving Corporation.  Upon
               resolution by such firm of all such items and adjustment
               of the Pro Forma Return to reflect such resolution, the
               Pro Forma Return shall be binding on the parties without
               further adjustment.   Once the Pro Forma Return has
               become binding, HLR shall promptly pay the Surviving
               Corporation, or the Surviving Corporation shall promptly
               pay HLR, as appropriate, an amount equal to (A) the
               difference between (x) the sum of the liabilities shown
               on the Pro Forma Return and (y) the sum of all payments
               previously made by RBL (including any payment pursuant to
               Section 8.4(a)(i)) or any Subsidiary with respect thereto
               to HLR, any other member of the HLR Group (other than RBL
               and its Subsidiaries) or the IRS, and (B) interest on
               such difference, which shall accrue at a rate equal to
               the three-month London Interbank Offered Rate plus 0.5%
               from the Effective Time until the date payment is made
               pursuant to this sentence.

                  (b)  At such time as the HLR Group prepares its federal
             income tax return for its 1994 tax year, it shall deliver to
             the Surviving Corporation a pro forma return (each a "Pro
             Forma Return") for RBL and its Subsidiaries which calculates
             the amount of federal income Taxes that RBL and its
             Subsidiaries would have paid with respect to such tax year
             had RBL timely filed its own consolidated federal income Tax
             return including its Subsidiaries (with RBL as the common
             parent) for such tax year.  The Surviving Corporation shall
             have the right at its expense to review all work papers and
             procedures used to prepare such Pro Forma Return.  Unless
             the Surviving Corporation timely objects as specified in
             this Section 8.4(b) such Pro Forma Return shall be binding
             on the parties without further adjustment.  If the Surviving
             Corporation objects to any item on such Pro Forma Return, it
             shall notify HLR in writing that it so objects, specifying
             with particularity any such item and the factual or legal
             basis for its objection, within 10 days after delivery of
             such Pro Forma Return.  If HLR and the Surviving Corporation
             are unable to reach agreement on such items within 20 days
             after HLR receives such notice, the disputed items shall be
             resolved by a nationally recognized accounting firm with no
             material relationship to the Surviving Corporation, HLR or
             any of their Affiliates, chosen within 5 days of the date
             upon which the need to retain such firm arises by and
             mutually acceptable to both HLR and the Surviving
             Corporation.  The costs and expenses of retaining such firm
             shall be borne equally by HLR and the Surviving Corporation. 
             Upon resolution by such firm of all such items and
             adjustment of the Pro Forma Return to reflect such
             resolution, the Pro Forma Return shall be binding on the
             parties without further adjustment.  Once the Pro Forma
             Return has become binding, HLR shall promptly pay the
             Surviving Corporation, or the Surviving Corporation shall
             promptly pay HLR, as appropriate, an amount equal to (A) the
             difference between (x) the sum of the liabilities shown on
             the Pro Forma Return and (y) the sum of all payments
             previously made by RBL or any Subsidiary with respect
             thereto to HLR, any other member of the HLR Group (other
             than RBL and its Subsidiaries) or the IRS, provided that,
             where (x) exceeds (y), the Surviving Corporation shall be
             obligated to pay to HLR such difference only to the extent
             that it does not exceed the greatest amount of intercompany
             account balances in respect of such Taxes that, if in
             existence as of December 31, 1994, in addition to the other
             intercompany account balances existing as of that date and
             actually taken into account in formulating the Pro Forma
             Balance Sheet pursuant to Section 6.7(a), could have been
             eliminated by payment rather than capitalization in
             formulating such Pro Forma Balance Sheet, and (B) interest
             on the amount required to be paid pursuant to clause (A)
             (determined taking into account the proviso thereto), which
             shall accrue at a rate equal to the three-month London
             Interbank Offered Rate plus 0.5% from the Effective Time
             until the date payment is made pursuant to this sentence.

                  (c)  The Surviving Corporation shall prepare or cause
             to be prepared, and shall deliver to HLR, each return with
             respect to state or local income, franchise, sales and use
             Taxes for any Pre-Merger Tax Period for which no return has
             been filed (and is not yet due) as of the Effective Time and
             which relates, in whole or in part, to Taxes with respect to
             which HLR may be required to indemnify the Surviving
             Corporation or any other member of the N Co. Group at least
             90 days prior to the due date for such return.  HLR shall
             have the right at its expense to review all work papers and
             procedures used to prepare such return.  Unless HLR timely
             objects as specified in this Section 8.4(c), the Surviving
             Corporation or its Subsidiary, as appropriate, shall file
             such return without further adjustment with the appropriate
             taxation authority, and pay the Tax shown as due thereon. 
             If HLR objects to any item on such return, it shall notify
             the Surviving Corporation in writing that it so objects,
             specifying with particularity any such item and the factual
             or legal basis for its objection, within 10 days after
             delivery of such return.  If HLR and the Surviving
             Corporation are unable to reach agreement on such items
             within 20 days after the Surviving Corporation receives such
             notice, the disputed items shall be resolved by a nationally
             recognized accounting firm with no material relationship to
             the Surviving Corporation, HLR or any of their Affiliates,
             chosen within 5 days of the date upon which the need to
             retain such firm arises by and mutually acceptable to both
             HLR and the Surviving Corporation.  The costs and expenses
             of retaining such firm shall be borne equally by HLR and the
             Surviving Corporation.  Upon resolution by such firm of all
             such items and adjustment of the return to reflect such
             resolution, the Surviving Corporation or its Subsidiary, as
             appropriate, shall file such return without further
             adjustment with the appropriate taxation authority, and pay
             the Tax shown as due thereon.

                  SECTION 8.5.   Cooperation on Tax Matters.  The
             Surviving Corporation and HLR agree to furnish or cause to
             be furnished to each other, upon request, as promptly as
             practicable, such information (including access to books and
             records) and assistance relating to RBL and its Subsidiaries
             as is reasonably necessary for the filing of any return, for
             the preparation for any audit, and for the prosecution or
             defense of any claim, suit or proceeding relating to any
             proposed adjustment, provided that (i) HLR shall not be
             obligated to furnish or cause to be furnished any
             information with respect to Genentech, Inc. and any of its
             Subsidiaries, and (ii) in the case of information which also
             relates, in whole or in part, to members of the HLR Group
             other than RBL and its Subsidiaries, in order to ensure the
             confidentiality of the HLR Group's commercial or proprietary
             information to the maximum extent feasible HLR shall be
             obligated to furnish or to be caused to be furnished such
             information upon request only to an independent advisor with
             no material relationship to the Surviving Corporation, HLR
             or any of their Affiliates chosen by and mutually acceptable
             to both HLR and the Surviving Corporation.  The Surviving
             Corporation and HLR agree to retain or cause to be retained
             all books and records pertinent to RBL and its Subsidiaries
             until the end of the fifth year after the Effective Time,
             and to abide by or cause the abidance with all record
             retention agreements entered into with any taxation
             authority, in the case of the Surviving Corporation, but
             only to the extent such agreements have been disclosed in
             writing to NHL prior to the date hereof.  The Surviving
             Corporation agrees to give HLR reasonable notice prior to
             transferring, discarding or destroying any such books and
             records relating to Tax matters and, if HLR so requests, the
             Surviving Corporation shall allow HLR to take possession of
             such books and records at HLR's cost and expense.  The
             Surviving Corporation and HLR shall cooperate with each
             other in the conduct of any audit or other proceedings
             involving RBL or any of its Subsidiaries for any Tax
             purposes and each shall execute and deliver such powers of
             attorney and other documents as are necessary to carry out
             the intent of this subsection.


                                      ARTICLE 9
                               CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER

                  SECTION 9.1.   Conditions to the Obligations of Each
             Party.  The obligations of NHL, HLR and RBL to consummate
             the Merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver as of
             the Effective Time of the following conditions:

                  (a)  this Agreement, the HLR Stockholder Agreement and
             any amendments to the Surviving Corporation's certificate of
             incorporation to be effected by the Merger and any
             amendments to the Employee Stock Options contemplated by
             Section 1.5 shall have been approved by the stockholders of
             NHL in accordance with Delaware Law;

                  (b)  any applicable waiting period under the HSR Act
             relating to the Merger shall have expired or been
             terminated;

                  (c)  no provision of any applicable law or regulation
             and no judgment, injunction, order or decree shall prohibit
             the consummation of the Merger;

                  (d)  the Warrant Agreement shall have been executed and
             delivered by NHL and the warrant agent to be named therein
             and such agreement shall be in full force and effect and the
             Warrants shall have been approved for listing on the NYSE
             subject to official notice of issuance and satisfactory
             distribution;

                  (e)  the Registration Statement shall have been
             declared effective and no stop order suspending the
             effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall be in
             effect and no proceedings for such purpose shall be pending
             before or threatened by the SEC;

                  (f)  the HLR Stockholder Agreement shall have been
             executed and delivered by HLR and NHL and shall be in full
             force and effect;

                  (g)  NHL shall have obtained sufficient financing to
             effect the refinancing of NHL's existing indebtedness, if
             required, and to pay for the NHL Cash Consideration on terms
             reasonably acceptable to HLR and NHL with financing obtained
             on the terms no less favorable than those referred to in the
             CS Commitment Letter being for this purpose deemed
             reasonably acceptable to HLR and NHL; and
              
                  (h)  there shall not be in effect any banking
             moratorium or suspension of payments in respect of banks in
             the United States or Switzerland, or any general suspension
             in trading in, or limitation on prices for, securities on
             the NYSE.


                  SECTION 9.2.   Conditions to the Obligations of HLR and
             RBL.  The obligations of HLR and RBL to consummate the
             Merger are subject to the satisfaction of the following
             further conditions:

                  (a)  (i)  NHL shall have performed in all material
             respects all of its obligations hereunder required to be
             performed by it at or prior to the Effective Time, (ii) the
             representations and warranties of NHL set forth in Article 3
             that are qualified as to materiality shall be true and
             correct and the representations and warranties of NHL set
             forth in Article 3 that are not so qualified shall be true
             and correct in all material respects, in each case as of the
             Effective Time as though made on and as of the Effective
             Time, except to the extent such representations and
             warranties speak only as of a particular earlier date, and
             (iii) HLR shall have received a certificate or certificates
             signed by such executive officers of NHL as reasonably
             requested by HLR to the foregoing effect;

                  (b)  HLR shall have received all documents it may
             reasonably request relating to the existence of NHL and its
             Subsidiaries and the authority of NHL for this Agreement and
             the HLR Stockholder Agreement, all in form and substance
             reasonably satisfactory to HLR;

                  (c)  either (i) the Committee on Foreign Investment in
             the United States shall have determined not to investigate
             the Merger under Exon-Florio (either by action or nonaction)
             or (ii) if such Committee shall have determined to make such
             an investigation, such investigation shall have been
             completed and the President shall have determined (either by
             action or nonaction) not to take any action under Exon-
             Florio with respect to the transactions contemplated by this
             Agreement;

                  (d)  there shall be no order, decree, injunction of any
             court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction
             that would, and there shall not be threatened or pending by
             any governmental authority any litigation or investigation
             that seeks to, (i) prohibit or enjoin consummation of, or
             materially impair or diminish the intended benefits of, the
             transactions contemplated hereby, or by the HLR Stockholder
             Agreement or the Warrant Agreement, (ii) restrain the
             ownership or operation by HLR or any of its Affiliates of
             all or any material portion of the assets or business of the
             Surviving Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries or to
             compel HLR or any of its Affiliates to dispose of all or any
             material portion of the business or assets of the Surviving
             Corporation or HLR or any of its Affiliates, (iii) impose or
             confirm limitations on the ability of HLR effectively to
             exercise full rights and privileges of ownership of the HLR-
             NHL Shares, the Warrants or other NHL Securities HLR may
             acquire except as limited by the HLR Stockholder Agreement,
             including, without limitation, the right to exercise the
             Warrants or to vote any NHL Shares on all matters properly
             presented to the Surviving Corporation's stockholders, or
             (iv) require divestiture by HLR or any of its Affiliates or
             any NHL Shares or other NHL Securities (each such
             circumstance described in clauses (i) through (iv) being
             referred to herein as an "HLR Adverse Condition");

                  (e)  all action by, or filings with, any governmental
             body, agency, official or authority referred to in clauses
             (i) through (v) of Section 3.3 shall have been obtained and
             made;

                  (f)  the NHL Cash Consideration and the Roche Warrant
             Consideration received by NHL pursuant to Section 1.4(b)
             shall have been deposited with the Exchange Agent as
             contemplated by Section 1.3 hereof;

                  (g)  HLR shall have received from counsel to NHL an
             opinion in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to HLR
             to the effect that the HLR-NHL Shares have been duly
             authorized and upon delivery to HLR at the Effective Time
             will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and
             that the Roche Warrants have been duly authorized and upon
             payment of the Roche Warrant Consideration will be validly
             issued; and

                  (h)  RBL and HLR shall have received from their counsel
             an opinion substantially in the form attached as Exhibit D
             hereto to the effect that the Merger will constitute a
             reorganization pursuant to Section 368(a)(1) of the Code.

                  SECTION 9.3.   Conditions to the Obligations of NHL. 
             The obligations of NHL to consummate the Merger are subject
             to the satisfaction of the following further conditions:

                  (a)  (i)  HLR and RBL shall have performed in all
             material respects all of their respective obligations
             hereunder required to be performed by them at or prior to
             the Effective Time, (ii) the representations and warranties
             of HLR and RBL set forth in Article 4 that are qualified as
             to materiality shall be true and correct and the
             representations and warranties of HLR and RBL set forth in
             Article 4 that are not so qualified shall be true and
             correct in all material respects, in each case as of the
             Effective Time as though made on and as of the Effective
             Time, except to the extent such representations and
             warranties speak only as of a particular earlier date, and
             (iii) NHL shall have received a certificate or certificates
             signed by such executive officers of Roche as reasonably
             requested by NHL to the foregoing effect;

                  (b)  NHL shall have received all documents it may
             reasonably request relating to the existence of HLR or RBL
             and the authority of HLR or RBL for this Agreement and the
             HLR Stockholder Agreement, all in form and substance
             reasonably satisfactory to NHL;

                  (c)  HLR shall have deposited the HLR Cash
             Consideration with the Exchange Agent as contemplated by
             Section 1.3 hereof and Roche shall have paid the Roche
             Warrant Consideration to NHL;

                  (d)  there shall be no order, decree, injunction of any
             court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction
             that would, and there shall not be threatened or pending by
             any governmental authority any litigation that seeks to
             (i) prohibit or enjoin consummation of, or materially impair
             or diminish the intended benefits to NHL's stockholders of,
             the transactions contemplated hereby or by the Warrant
             Agreement or (ii) restrain the ownership or operation by NHL
             or any of its Affiliates or the Surviving Corporation of all
             or any material portion of the assets or business of either
             NHL or RBL or any Subsidiary of either or to compel NHL or
             any of its Affiliates to dispose of all or any material
             portion of the business or assets of NHL or RBL or any
             Subsidiary of either (each such circumstances described in
             clauses (i) and (ii) being referred to herein as an "NHL
             Adverse Condition");

                  (e)  NHL shall have received from its counsel an
             opinion substantially in the form attached as Exhibit E
             hereto to the effect that the Merger will constitute a
             reorganization pursuant to Section 368(a)(1) of the Code;

                  (f)  all actions by, or filings with, any governmental
             body, agency, official or authority referred to in clauses
             (i) through (v) of Section 4.3 shall have been obtained and
             made; and

                  (g)  (A) Roche shall have performed in all material
             respects its obligations Under Section 11.9 required to be
             performed at or prior to the Effective Time, (i) the
             representations and warranties of Roche set forth in Section
             11.9 that are qualified as to materiality shall be true and
             correct and the representations and warranties of Roche set
             forth in Section 11.9 that are not so qualified shall be
             true and correct in all material respects, in each case as
             of the Effective Time as though made on and as of the
             Effective Time, except to the extent such representations
             and warranties speak only as of a particular earlier date,
             and (ii) NHL shall have received a certificate or
             certificates signed by such executive officers of Roche as
             reasonably requested by NHL to the foregoing effect.


                                      ARTICLE 10
                                     TERMINATION

                  SECTION 10.1.  Termination.  This Agreement may be
             terminated and the Merger may be abandoned at any time prior
             to the Effective Time (notwithstanding any approval of this
             Agreement by the stockholders of NHL):

                  (a)  by mutual written consent of NHL and HLR;

                  (b)  by either NHL or HLR, if the Merger has not been
             consummated by September 1, 1995;

                  (c) (i) by either NHL or HLR, if there shall be any law
             or regulation that makes consummation of the Merger illegal
             or otherwise prohibited or any judgment, injunction, order
             or decree (other than a temporary restraining order or a
             preliminary injunction) enjoining consummation of  the
             Merger or (ii) by NHL if any such law or regulation or any
             judgment, injunction, order or decree, which, if applicable,
             would in NHL's reasonable judgment constitute an NHL Adverse
             Condition or (iii) by HLR, if any such law or regulation or
             any judgment, injunction, order or decree, which, if
             applicable, would in HLR's reasonable judgment constitute an
             HLR Adverse Condition;


                  (d)  by NHL in accordance with Section 5.4;

                  (e)  by either HLR or NHL, if the NHL Stockholder
             Meeting shall have been held and the stockholders of NHL
             shall have failed to approve, in accordance with Delaware
             Law, this Agreement (including any amendments to the
             certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation to
             be effected thereby, if any, as referred to in Section 2.1);

                  (f)  by HLR, if it is not in material breach of its
             obligations under this Agreement, if the Board of Directors
             of NHL shall have (i) withdrawn its recommendation of the
             Merger or this Agreement (or the transactions contemplated
             hereby) or (ii) recommended or approved any Acquisition
             Proposal (other than an Acquisition Proposal made by HLR or
             a controlled Affiliate of HLR); or

                  (g)  by HLR or NHL if HLR, RBL or NHL shall have
             received any communication from the Department of Justice or
             Federal Trade Commission (each an "HSR Authority") (which
             communication shall be confirmed to the other parties by the
             HSR Authority) that causes such party to reasonably believe
             that any HSR Authority has authorized the institution under
             United States antitrust laws of litigation seeking an order,
             decree or injunction that, if entered, would (in the
             reasonable judgment of the party invoking this Section
             10.1(g)), be reasonably likely to constitute an NHL Adverse
             Condition, if NHL is the invoking party, or an HLR Adverse
             Condition, if HLR is the invoking party.

                  SECTION 10.2.  Effect of Termination.  If this
             Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 10.1, this
             Agreement shall become void and of no effect with no
             liability on the part of any party hereto, except for
             liability or damages resulting from a wilful breach of this
             Agreement and except that the agreements contained in this
             Section 10.2 and in Sections 5.3(b), 6.2(b) and 11.4 shall
             survive the termination hereof.


                                      ARTICLE 11
                                    MISCELLANEOUS

                  SECTION 11.1.  Notices.  All notices, requests and
             other communications to any party hereunder shall be in
             writing (including telecopy or similar writing) and shall be
             given:

             if to HLR, to:        HLR Holdings Inc.
                                   1403 Foulk Road
                                   Suite 102
                                   P.O. Box 8985
                                   Wilmington, Delaware 19899
                                   Attn.: William D. Johnston

             if to RBL, to:        Roche Biomedical Laboratories, Inc.
                                   358 South Main Street
                                   Burlington, North Carolina 27215
                                   Attn.: Bradford T. Smith, Esq.

                  with a copy to:  Davis Polk & Wardwell
                                   450 Lexington Avenue
                                   New York, New York 10017
                                   Attn:   Peter R. Douglas, Esq.
                                   Telecopy:  (212) 450-4800

                  and

             if to NHL, to:        National Health Laboratories Holdings Inc.
                                   4225 Executive Square
                                   La Jolla, California  92037
                                   Attn:  James G. Richmond, Esq.
                                   Telecopy:  (619) 658-6693


                  with a copy to:  Cravath, Swaine & Moore
                                   Worldwide Plaza
                                   825 Eighth Avenue
                                   New York, New York 10019
                                   Attn:   Allen Finkelson, Esq.
                                   Telecopy:  (212) 474-3700

             or such other address or telecopy number as such party may
             hereafter specify for the purpose by notice to the other parties
             hereto.  Each such notice, request or other communication shall
             be effective (i) if given by telecopy, when such telecopy is
             transmitted to the telecopy number specified in this Section
             11.1 and the appropriate confirmation of transmittal is received
             or (ii) if given by any other means, when delivered at the
             address specified in this Section 11.1.

                  SECTION 11.2.  Survival of Agreements and Representations
             and Warranties.  Except for the representations, warranties and
             agreements contained in Articles 1, 2 and 8 and Sections
             3.13(k), 4.12(k), 7.4, 7.5 and 7.6, the NHL Representations
             Letter, the HLR Representations Letter, and this Section 11.2
             hereof, the representations and warranties and agreements
             contained herein and in any certificate or other writing
             delivered pursuant hereto (other than the HLR Stockholder
             Agreement) shall not survive the Effective Time.

                  SECTION 11.3.  Amendments; No Waivers.  (a)  Any provision
             of this Agreement may be amended or waived prior to the
             Effective Time if, and only if, such amendment or waiver is in
             writing and signed, in the case of an amendment, by NHL, HLR and
             RBL or in the case of a waiver, by the party against whom the
             waiver is to be effective, provided that after the adoption of
             this Agreement by the stockholders of NHL, no such amendment or
             waiver shall, without the further approval of such stockholders,
             alter or change (i) the NHL Share Conversion, (ii) any term of
             the certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation or
             (iii) any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement if such
             alteration or change would adversely affect the holders of any
             shares of capital stock of NHL.

                  (b)  No failure or delay by any party in exercising any
             right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver
             thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof
             preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise
             of any other right, power or privilege.  The rights and remedies
             herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any
             rights or remedies provided by law.

                  SECTION 11.4.  Fees and Expenses.  (a)  Except as otherwise
             provided in this Section 11.4, all costs and expenses incurred
             in connection with this Agreement shall be paid by the party
             incurring such cost or expense, provided however in the event
             RBL's legal and financial advisory fees and expenses exceed in
             the aggregate those of NHL, HLR or an Affiliate thereof (other
             than RBL or NHL or any of their respective Subsidiaries) shall
             pay such excess amount.

                  (b)  So long as each of HLR and RBL shall not have
             materially breached its obligations under this Agreement, NHL
             will pay HLR, in immediately available funds, the amounts
             referred to below, promptly after the termination of this
             Agreement (x) pursuant to clause (d) or (f)(i) of Section 10.1
             if any Person or group (as defined in Section 13(d)(iii) of the
             1934 Act) (other than HLR or an Affiliate of HLR) shall have
             made an Acquisition Proposal (excluding for this purpose any
             indication of interest that has not resulted in an offer or
             proposal) or become the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule
             13d-3 promulgated under the 1934 Act) of at least 20% of the
             outstanding NHL Shares or (y) pursuant to clause (f)(ii) of
             Section 10.1.  The amounts referred to in the preceding sentence
             are (A) a termination fee of $30,000,000 and (B) up to an
             additional $7,000,000 as reimbursement for expenses actually
             incurred by HLR and RBL in connection with this Agreement and
             the transactions contemplated hereby.  For purposes of the
             foregoing, the reimbursement referred to in clause (B), above,
             shall be payable only if and to the extent HLR and RBL provide
             written statements to NHL that they have incurred such expenses
             and such back-up data as may be reasonably be requested.

                  SECTION 11.5.  Successors and Assigns.  The provisions of
             this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of
             the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns,
             provided that no party may assign, delegate or otherwise
             transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement
             without the consent of the other parties hereto.  Section
             11.4(b) is intended to be for the benefit of and grant to HLR
             the rights specified therein, and HLR shall be entitled to
             enforce the covenants contained therein.  Except as provided in
             the preceding sentence or in Section 7.6, this Agreement shall
             be binding upon and is solely for the benefit of each of the
             parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, and
             nothing in this Agreement (other than Section 7.6) is intended
             to confer upon any other Person any rights or remedies of any
             nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

                  SECTION 11.6.  Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be
             construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the
             State of Delaware.

                  SECTION 11.7.  Counterparts; Effectiveness.  This Agreement
             may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall
             be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures
             thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.  This
             Agreement shall become effective when each party hereto shall
             have received counterparts hereof signed by all of the other
             parties hereto.

                  SECTION 11.8.  Certain Definitions.  For purposes of this
             Agreement the phrases "to the knowledge of" or "known to" mean
             with respect to such Person (x) in the case of NHL, or any of
             its Subsidiaries, actually known to any regional manager (which
             is a person in charge of an individual laboratory) of NHL or any
             Subsidiary or actually known to or which could reasonably be
             expected to be known by an executive of NHL more senior than a
             regional manager and (y) in the case of RBL, or any of its
             Subsidiaries, actually known to a subregional laboratory manager
             (which is a person in charge of a sub-regional laboratory) of
             RBL or any Subsidiary or actually known to or which could
             reasonably be expected to be known by an executive of RBL more
             senior than a sub-regional manager.  Additionally, as used in
             this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings:

                  (a)  "Affiliate" means, with respect to any Person, any
             other Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more
             intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common
             control with such first Person.  

                  (b)  "Business Day" means any day except a Saturday, Sunday
             or other day on which commercial banking institutions in New
             York City are authorized by law or executive order to close.

                  (c)  "Person" means an individual, a corporation, a
             partnership, an association, a trust or any other entity or
             organization, including a governmental or political subdivision
             or any agency or instrumentality thereof.

                  SECTION 11.9.  Agreements of Roche.  (a)  Roche represents
             and warrants to NHL that:  Roche is a corporation duly
             incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the
             laws of the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated and has all
             corporate powers required to carry on its business as now being
             conducted.  The execution, delivery and performance by Roche of
             this Agreement are within Roche's corporate powers and have been
             duly authorized by all necessary corporate action.  This
             Agreement constitutes a valid and binding agreement of Roche. 
             The execution, delivery and performance by Roche of this
             Agreement require no action by, or filing with, any governmental
             body, agency, official or authority other than compliance with
             any applicable requirements of the HSR Act.  The execution,
             delivery and performance by Roche of this Agreement do not and
             will not (i) contravene or conflict with the certificate of
             incorporation or the bylaws of Roche or conflict with or
             constitute a violation of any provision of any law, regulation,
             judgment, injunction, order or decree binding upon or applicable
             to Roche, (ii) constitute a default under or give rise to a
             right of termination, cancellation or acceleration of any right
             or obligation of Roche or to a loss of any benefit to which
             Roche is entitled under any provision of any agreement, contract
             or other instrument binding upon Roche or (iii) result in the
             creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of Roche, except
             in each case for contraventions, conflicts, violations,
             defaults, rights of termination, cancellation or acceleration,
             losses of benefits or creation or imposition of Liens that would
             not be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the
             aggregate, a material adverse effect on the business, financial
             condition, assets, results of operations or prospects of Roche
             and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

                  (b)  Roche agrees to use its best efforts to cause RBL and
             HLR to perform their obligations under this Agreement.

                  (c)  Roche and its Affiliates have sufficient funds,
             investments and credit facilities available to it to pay the
             Roche Warrant Consideration and will to the extent necessary
             make funds available to HLR to enable HLR to satisfy the
             obligation of HLR to deposit the HLR Cash Consideration pursuant
             to Section 1.3.



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


                                           NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES
                                             HOLDINGS INC.


                                           By: /s/ James R. Maher            
                                               --------------------
                                             Name:   James R. Maher
                                             Title:  President and Chief
                                                     Executive Officer


                                           HLR HOLDINGS INC.


                                           By: /s/ Bradford T. Smith       
                                               -----------------------
                                             Name:   Bradford T. Smith
                                             Title:  Assistant Secretary


                                           ROCHE BIOMEDICAL LABORATORIES,
                                           INC.


                                           By: /s/ James B. Powell          
                                              ----------------------
                                             Name:   James B. Powell
                                             Title:  President


                                           HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE INC.


                                           By: /s/ Thomas P. MacMahon     
                                               ------------------------
                                             Name:   Thomas P. MacMahon
                                             Title:  Senior Vice President
EXHIBIT 2.5




                               STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                    BY AND BETWEEN

                          ALLIED CLINICAL LABORATORIES, INC.

                                         AND

                      REFERENCE PATHOLOGY HOLDING COMPANY, INC.




                            DATED AS OF DECEMBER 30, 1994



                                  TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                       Page
          ARTICLE I: 
            PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1 
               Section 1.01.  Transfer of Shares  . . . . . . . . . . .  1 

          ARTICLE II:
            CONSIDERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1 
               Section 2.01.  Purchase Price  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1 
               Section 2.02.  Payment of Purchase Price . . . . . . . .  1 
               Section 2.03.  Satisfaction of Existing Obligations  . .  2 
               Section  2.04.    Data  Processing  and  Conversion  Support
          Services  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2 

          ARTICLE III:
            CLOSING; OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES . . . . . . . . . . . .  2 
               Section 3.01.  Closing Date  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2 
               Section 3.02.  Obligations of the Parties at the Closing  2 

          ARTICLE IV:
            REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER  . . . . . . . . .  4 
               Section   4.01.     Ownership   of   Shares;  Validity   and
          Enforceability  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4 
               Section    4.02.      Organization,    Good   Standing   and
          Qualification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4 
               Section   4.03.     Corporate  Power   and  Authority;   Due
          Authorization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4 
               Section 4.04.  Subsidiaries  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5 
               Section 4.05.  No Violation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5 
               Section 4.06.  Capitalization  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6 
               Section 4.07.  Financial Statements  . . . . . . . . . .  6 
               Section 4.08.  Assets  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6 
               Section 4.09.  No Undisclosed Liability  . . . . . . . .  6 
               Section 4.10.  Tax Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6 
               Section 4.11.  Litigation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7 
               Section 4.12.  Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7 
               Section 4.13.  Employees and Fringe Benefit Plans  . . .  8 
               Section 4.14.  Banking Relationships . . . . . . . . . .  9 
               Section 4.15.  Professional Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 
               Section 4.16.  Consents and Approvals  . . . . . . . . . 10 
               Section 4.17.  Corporate Records . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 
               Section 4.18.  Full Disclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 

          ARTICLE V:
            REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER . . . . . . . . . . 10 
               Section 5.01.  Organization and Good Standing  . . . . . 10 
               Section 5.02.  Authorization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 
               Section 5.03.  Valid and Binding Agreement . . . . . . . 11 
               Section 5.04.  No Violation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 
               Section 5.05.  Professional Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 




                                         (i) 
 



                                                                       Page

               Section 5.06.  Consents and Approvals  . . . . . . . . . 12 
               Section 5.07.  Full Disclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 
               Section 5.08.  No View to Distribution . . . . . . . . . 12 

          ARTICLE VI:
            COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS OF SELLER  . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 
               Section 6.01.  Further Assurances  . . . . . . . . . . . 12 
               Section 6.02.  Confidentiality . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 
               Section 6.03.  Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 
               Section 6.04.  Consents and Approvals  . . . . . . . . . 13 
               Section 6.05.  Employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 
               Section 6.06.  Seller Savings Deferral Plan  . . . . . . 13 

          ARTICLE VII:
            COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS OF BUYER . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 
               Section 7.01.  Debt Limitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 
               Section 7.02.  Employee Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 

          ARTICLE VIII:
            CONDITIONS TO BUYER'S OBLIGATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 
               Section 8.01.  Representations and Warranties  . . . . . 14 
               Section 8.02.  Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 
               Section 8.03.  Officer's Certificate . . . . . . . . . . 14 
               Section 8.04.  Opinion of Counsel  . . . . . . . . . . . 14 
               Section 8.05.  Consents and Approvals  . . . . . . . . . 15 
               Section 8.06.  Litigation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 
               Section 8.07.    Services Agreement  . . . . . . . . . . 15 
               Section 8.08.    Seller Non-Solicitation Agreement . . . 15 
               Section 8.09.  Citicorp USA Release  . . . . . . . . . . 15 

          ARTICLE IX:
            CONDITIONS TO SELLER'S OBLIGATIONS  . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 
               Section 9.01.  Representations and Warranties  . . . . . 15 
               Section 9.02.  Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 
               Section 9.03.  Officer's Certificate . . . . . . . . . . 15 
               Section 9.04.  Opinion of Counsel  . . . . . . . . . . . 16 
               Section 9.05.  Services Agreement  . . . . . . . . . . . 16 
               Section 9.06.  Escrow Note . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 

          ARTICLE X:
            INDEMNIFICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 
               Section 10.01.  Indemnification by Seller  . . . . . . . 16 
               Section 10.02.  Indemnification by Buyer . . . . . . . . 16 
               Section 10.03.  Procedure  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 





                                         (ii) 
 



                                                                       Page

          ARTICLE XI:
            SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATION  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 
               Section 11.01.  Survival of Representations  . . . . . . 17 
               Section 11.02.  Statements as Representations  . . . . . 17 
               Section 11.03.  Remedies Exclusive . . . . . . . . . . . 17 

          ARTICLE XII:
            MISCELLANEOUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 
               Section 12.01.  Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 
               Section 12.02.  Assignability; Parties in Interest . . . 18 
               Section 12.03.  Entire Agreement; Amendments . . . . . . 18 
               Section 12.04.  Headings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 
               Section 12.05.  Severability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 
               Section 12.06.  Notices  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 
               Section 12.07.  Governing Law  . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 
               Section 12.08.  Counterparts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 

          EXHIBIT A:  ESCROW NOTE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1
          EXHIBIT B:  EMPLOYMENT TERMINATION AGREEMENT  . . . . . . . . B-1
          EXHIBIT C:  SERVICES AGREEMENT  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1
          EXHIBIT D:  SELLER NON-SOLICITATION AGREEMENT . . . . . . . . D-1




























                                        (iii) 
 





                               STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT


               This Agreement  (the "Agreement")  is made and  entered into
          this  30th  day  of  December,  1994,  by  and between  Reference
          Pathology Holding Company, Inc.,  a Tennessee corporation  having
          its  principal place  of  business in  Nashville, Tennessee  (the
          "Buyer") and Allied Clinical Laboratories, Inc. (the "Seller").

               WHEREAS,  Seller  owns all  of  the  issued and  outstanding
          shares of  the capital  stock of Reference  Pathology Laboratory,
          Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"); 

               WHEREAS, Buyer  desires to  acquire from Seller,  and Seller
          desires  to  sell to  Buyer, all  of  the issued  and outstanding
          shares  of the capital  stock of the Company  upon and subject to
          the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement.

               NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration  of the  mutual promises,
          covenants and  agreements herein contained, the  parties agree as
          follows:


                                      ARTICLE I

                             PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES

               1.01.     Transfer of  Shares.  Subject to all  of the terms
          and conditions of this  Agreement, at the Closing (as  defined in
          Section 3.01), Seller hereby agrees  to sell, transfer and convey
          to Buyer, and Buyer  agrees to purchase and acquire  from Seller,
          free  and  clear of  all  liens,  claims, charges,  restrictions,
          security  interests, equities, proxies,  pledges and encumbrances
          of any kind, 1,000 shares of the common stock, $.01 par value per
          share, of the  Company, which  constitute all of  the issued  and
          outstanding shares  of  the capital  stock  of the  Company  (the
          foregoing  shares of  the  Company are  hereinafter  collectively
          referred to as the "Shares").


                                      ARTICLE II

                                    CONSIDERATION

               2.01.     Purchase Price.  The Purchase Price for the Shares
          shall  be (a) $10,148,180 cash and (b) a $500,000 promissory note
          of Buyer  issued and delivered in accordance with Section 2.02(b)
          hereof  (the "Purchase  Price").   The parties  hereto agree  and
          acknowledge that $10,000 of the Purchase Price shall be deemed to
          be allocated  to the  Seller Non-Solicitation  Agreement attached
          hereto and made a part hereof as Exhibit D-1.

               2.02.     Payment of Purchase  Price.  (a)   At the Closing,
          the Buyer shall make a wire transfer  to an account designated by





          the Seller in an amount equal to the cash portion of the Purchase
          Price.  

                    (b)  At the  Closing, the Buyer shall  pay the non-cash
          portion of the Purchase Price to the Seller  by delivering to the
          Seller,   Buyer's  promissory   note,   which   note   shall   be
          substantially  in  the form  attached  hereto as  Exhibit  A (the
          "Escrow Note").

               2.03.    Satisfaction  of  Existing  Obligations.    At  the
          Closing, Buyer shall cause Dr. Robert R. West ("West") to execute
          and   deliver   to  Seller   and  National   Health  Laboratories
          Incorporated ("NHL"),  and Seller shall execute  and deliver, and
          shall  cause NHL to execute and deliver,  to Buyer and West, that
          certain   Employment   Termination  Agreement   (the  "Employment
          Termination Agreement")  substantially in  the form of  Exhibit B
          attached hereto.

               2.04.    Data Processing  and  Conversion  Support Services.
          After the Closing, Seller will provide Buyer and the Company with
          the data processing services and conversion support identified on
          Schedule 2.04(a)  attached hereto) from Seller's  data processing
          department for three  months after  the Closing at  no charge  to
          Buyer or the Company and  for a period of nine  months thereafter
          at the option of Buyer and the  Company at the rates set forth on
          Schedule  2.04(b)  hereto.    Except  as  provided  otherwise  on
          Schedule  2.04(a), on the Closing  Date, Seller will  be ready to
          provide data  processing services  for  the Company  (as a  stand
          alone  entity) at  the  same level  of  service as  is  currently
          provided by Seller to the Company.


                                     ARTICLE III

                         CLOSING; OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES

               3.01.     Closing Date.   The documents to  be delivered and
          the payments to be made  at the closing (the "Closing") shall  be
          delivered and made  at 10:00  a.m., local time,  on December  30,
          1994 at the  offices of  Stokes &  Bartholomew, P.A.,  Nashville,
          Tennessee, or at  such other time and place as the parties hereto
          mutually agree (the "Closing Date").

               3.02.     Obligations of the Parties at the Closing.  

                    (a)  At the Closing, Buyer  shall deliver to the Seller
          and NHL:

                         (i)  the  consideration  as  specified in  Section
          2.01, including the Escrow Note;



                                          2





                         (ii) a  copy  of  resolutions   of  the  Board  of
          Directors of  Buyer, certified by  Buyer's Secretary, authorizing
          the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the
          other documents referred to  herein to be executed by  Buyer, and
          the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby; 

                         (iii)  a certificate of Buyer certifying as to the
          accuracy of Buyer's  representations and warranties at  and as of
          the Closing and that Buyer has  performed or complied with all of
          the covenants, agreements, terms, provisions and conditions to be
          performed or complied with by Buyer at or before the Closing;

                         (iv) the  opinion of  Stokes &  Bartholomew, P.A.,
          legal counsel for Buyer; 

                          (v) the Services Agreement  by and among  Seller,
          NHL and Buyer substantially in the form of Exhibit C  hereto (the
          "Services  Agreement") and the  Employment Termination Agreement;
          and

                           (vi)    such other certificates and documents as
          Seller or its counsel may reasonably request.

                    (b)  At  the Closing,  Seller and  NHL will  deliver to
          Buyer:

                          (i) stock  certificates for the  Shares, free and
          clear  of  all  liens,  claims,  charges, restrictions,  security
          interests,  proxies, pledges,  equities  or  encumbrances of  any
          kind,  which certificates  shall  be duly  endorsed  to Buyer  or
          accompanied by duly executed stock powers in form satisfactory to
          Buyer;

                         (ii) a  copy   of  Resolutions  of  the  Board  of
          Directors  certified  by   Seller's  Secretary,  authorizing  the
          execution,  delivery and  performance of  this Agreement  and the
          other  documents referred to herein to be executed by Seller, and
          the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby; 

                        (iii) a certificate of the Seller  certifying as to
          the accuracy of Seller's representations and warranties at and as
          of the  Closing and that it has performed or complied with all of
          the covenants, agreements, terms, provisions and conditions to be
          performed or complied with by it at or before the Closing;

                         (iv) resignations of those officers  and directors
          of the Company identified  by Buyer, effective as of  the Closing
          Date;

                          (v) the opinion of Coffield, Ungaretti & Harris; 



                                          3





                         (vi) the  Services  Agreement  and the  Employment
          Termination Agreement;

                        (vii) the  Non-Solicitation  Agreement executed  by
          each  of NHL and  Seller substantially in  the form  of Exhibit D
          attached hereto ("Seller Non-Solicitation Agreement"); 

                       (viii) physical control of the Company's First Union
          Bank lock box account; and 

                         (ix) such  other  certificates  and  documents  as
          Buyer or its counsel may reasonably request.


                                      ARTICLE IV

                       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER

               In  order to induce Buyer  to enter into  this Agreement and
          consummate  the transactions  contemplated hereby,  Seller hereby
          represents and warrants as follows:

               4.01.     Ownership of Shares; Validity  and Enforceability.
          Seller  represents and warrants that (i) Seller is the record and
          beneficial  owner of  the Shares,  free and  clear of  all liens,
          claims,  charges,  restrictions,  security  interests,  equities,
          proxies, pledges or encumbrances of any kind, except for the lien
          and  security interest of Citicorp USA, Inc.; (ii) Seller has the
          full right,  power, authority and  capacity to sell  and transfer
          the respective  Shares owned by such Seller;  (iii)  by virtue of
          the transfer  of the Shares to  Buyer at the Closing,  Buyer will
          obtain full title  to such shares, free  and clear of all  liens,
          claims,  charges,  restrictions,  security  interests,  equities,
          proxies, pledges, or  encumbrances of any  kind.  This  Agreement
          constitutes a legal,  valid and binding agreement  of the Seller,
          enforceable against Seller in  accordance with its terms.   As of
          the  Closing  Date,  all  intercompany  receivables  and payables
          between Seller and Buyer shall be cancelled.

               4.02.     Organization,  Good  Standing  and  Qualification.
          The Company  is a  corporation duly organized,  validly existing,
          and in  good standing under  the laws  of the State  of Delaware.
          The  Company has full corporate  power and authority  to carry on
          its business as now conducted  and possesses all governmental and
          other permits, licenses, and  other authorizations to own, lease,
          or  operate its assets and  properties as now  owned, leased, and
          operated  and to  carry on  its business as  presently conducted.
          The Company  is duly licensed  or qualified  to do business  as a
          foreign  corporation and is in good standing in each state listed
          in   Schedule  4.02   (attached   hereto   are  certificates   of
          qualification for each state in which the Company is qualified as
          a foreign corporation).

                                          4





               4.03.     Corporate Power and Authority:  Due Authorization.
          Seller has  full corporate  power and  authority  to execute  and
          deliver this Agreement, the Employment Termination Agreement, the
          Services  Agreement, the Seller Non-Solicitation Agreement and to
          consummate the  transactions contemplated  hereby.  The  Board of
          Directors  of  Seller  has   duly  approved  and  authorized  the
          execution and delivery  of this Agreement and the consummation of
          the  transactions contemplated  hereby,  and  no other  corporate
          proceedings  on the part of  Seller are necessary  to approve and
          authorize the execution  and delivery of  this Agreement and  the
          consummation of the  transactions contemplated hereby.   Assuming
          that this Agreement and each of the documents to which Buyer is a
          party constitutes a  valid and binding  agreement of Buyer,  this
          Agreement and each of  the documents to which  Seller is a  party
          constitutes, or  will constitute  when executed and  delivered, a
          valid  and binding agreement of  Seller, in each case enforceable
          in accordance with its terms.

               4.04.     Subsidiaries.     Suburban  Pathology  Associates,
          Inc.,  a Delaware  corporation  (the "Subsidiary"),  is the  only
          subsidiary in which the Company owns, directly or indirectly, any
          capital  stock or other equity interest, or with respect to which
          the Company, alone or in combination with others, is in a control
          position.    The  Subsidiary  is a  corporation  duly  organized,
          validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of Delaware
          and  is  duly  qualified  to   transact  business  as  a  foreign
          corporation and is in good standing in the State of Georgia.  The
          Subsidiary  has  the  power   and  authority  and  possesses  all
          governmental   and    other   permits,   licenses,    and   other
          authorizations  to own or lease  its properties and  carry on its
          business  as now conducted.  The outstanding capital stock of the
          Subsidiary is validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable.  The
          Company  has good and valid title  to the equity interests in the
          Subsidiary,  free  and  clear  of  all  liens,  claims,  charges,
          restrictions, security interests,  equities, proxies, pledges, or
          encumbrances of any kind, except  the lien and security  interest
          of Citicorp USA, Inc.  Except where otherwise indicated herein or
          unless  the  context otherwise  requires,  any  reference to  the
          Company herein shall include the Company and the Subsidiary.

               4.05.     No Violation.  The  execution and delivery of this
          Agreement, the  Employment  Termination Agreement,  the  Services
          Agreement  and  the  Seller Non-Solicitation  Agreement  and  the
          consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and  thereby
          will  not  as  of the  Closing:  (i) require  Seller  to  file or
          register with,  or obtain  any permit, authorization,  consent or
          approval  of,  any   governmental  entity,  except  filings   and
          registrations duly made and permits, authorizations, consents and
          approvals  duly obtained prior to  the Closing Date,  (ii) to the
          actual  knowledge  of  Seller,   require  Seller  to  obtain  any
          authorization, consent or approval of any other person other than
          those  which, if  not duly  obtained prior  to the  Closing Date,

                                          5





          individually or in  the aggregate, are  not reasonably likely  to
          have a material adverse  effect on the Company's business,  (iii)
          result  in the breach  of any of  the terms or  conditions of, or
          constitute a  default under, the Certificate  of Incorporation or
          Bylaws  of  Seller or,  to the  actual  knowledge of  Seller, any
          mortgage,   bond,  indenture,   agreement,  franchise   or  other
          instrument or obligation to  which Seller is a party  or by which
          any of Seller's properties  or assets may be bound  or materially
          affected, other than the lien  and security interest of  Citicorp
          USA, Inc., (iv) either itself or with notice or lapse  of time or
          both, violate or  be in  conflict with, or  constitute a  default
          under, or result in the termination of, or cause the acceleration
          of the  maturity of any debt or obligation pursuant to, or result
          in the creation or imposition of  any lien upon any of the Shares
          under, any agreement to which  Seller is a party or by  which the
          Shares are bound  or subject,  other than the  lien and  security
          interest of  Citicorp USA,  Inc., (v)  violate any  statute, law,
          regulation  or rule of  any governmental entity,  or (vi) violate
          any  judgment, decree,  writ, injunction or  order of  any court,
          administrative agency of governmental  entity or any  arbitration
          award applicable to the Seller or the Shares.

               4.06.     Capitalization.   The authorized capital  stock of
          the Company consists solely of 1,000 shares of common stock, $.01
          par value per share, all of which common shares (collectively the
          "Shares") are issued and outstanding and owned by Seller.  All of
          the Shares  are duly  authorized, validly issued  and outstanding
          and fully  paid and nonassessable and free  of preemptive rights.
          Except  for the Shares, there  are no shares  of capital stock or
          other securities of the Company issued or outstanding.  There are
          no outstanding options, warrants or rights to purchase or acquire
          from, to the Seller's actual knowledge, the Company or the Seller
          any  securities  of the  Company,  and  there  are no  contracts,
          commitments,   agreements,   understandings,   arrangements,   or
          restrictions as to  which, to the Seller's  actual knowledge, the
          Company  or the Seller is a  party or by which  either of them is
          bound relating to any shares of capital stock or other securities
          of the Company (including the Shares), whether or not outstanding
          other than the lien  and security interest of Citicorp  USA, Inc.
          on the stock of the Company.

               4.07.     Financial Statements.    Seller has  delivered  to
          Buyer  an unaudited consolidated balance  sheet of the Company as
          of  November 30,  1994,  and the  related unaudited  consolidated
          statement of income  for the  period from June  23, 1994  through
          November  30, 1994  (the  "Financial Statements").   To  Seller's
          actual knowledge, the Financial Statements are true, complete and
          correct and  fairly present the consolidated assets, liabilities,
          financial condition, and results of operations  of the Company as
          of the  respective  dates  thereof  and for  the  period  therein
          referred  to, all  in accordance  with generally  accepted United
          States  accounting  principles,   subject  to  normal   recurring

                                          6





          year-end adjustments (the effect  of which will not, individually
          or  in the aggregate, be  materially adverse) and  the absence of
          notes.

               4.08.     Assets.  Seller  acknowledges that neither it  nor
          NHL  claims ownership  in any  of the  assets listed  on Schedule
          4.08.

               4. 09.    No  Undisclosed  Liability.    To  Seller's actual
          knowledge,  except  as   and  to  the   extent  of  the   amounts
          specifically reflected  or  reserved  against  in  the  Financial
          Statements, to the  actual knowledge of Seller,  the Company does
          not have any  liabilities or obligations  of any nature,  whether
          absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether due  or to
          become due, except  for liabilities for federal and  state income
          taxes  for the period from  January 1, 1994  through November 30,
          1994.   To Seller's actual  knowledge, the reserves  reflected in
          the Financial Statements are adequate, appropriate and reasonable
          in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles
          applied on a consistent basis.  Furthermore, Seller does not have
          actual  knowledge of  or actual  knowledge of  any basis  for the
          assertion against the Company of any such liability or obligation
          of  any nature  not fully  reflected or  reserved against  in the
          Financial  Statements, except  for  liabilities  for federal  and
          state  income taxes for the  period from January  1, 1994 through
          November 30, 1994.

               4.10.     Tax  Matters.   Except  as set  forth on  Schedule
          4.10, Seller and the  Company have duly and timely  filed all tax
          reports and returns  required to be filed by the Company and have
          duly paid  all taxes and other  charges due or claimed  to be due
          from the  Company by federal,  state or local  taxing authorities
          (including  without  limitation,  those  due in  respect  of  its
          properties,  income, franchises,  licenses, sales  and payrolls);
          and  true and  correct  copies of  all  tax reports  and  returns
          relating to such  taxes and  other charges for  the period  since
          April 1, 1991 have been heretofore delivered to Buyer.  Except as
          set forth on Schedule 4.10, the Company is  not delinquent in the
          payment of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and has not
          violated  any  federal, state,  local or  foreign  tax law.   The
          reserves  for taxes  contained  in the  Financial Statements  and
          carried on the  books of the Company, Allied or  NHL are adequate
          to cover all  tax liabilities of  the Company as  of the date  of
          this Agreement.  To Seller's actual knowledge, since December 31,
          1993, the Company has not incurred any tax liabilities other than
          in  the ordinary  course  of business;  except  as set  forth  on
          Schedule  4.10,  there are  no tax  liens  (other than  liens for
          current taxes not  yet due) upon any properties or  assets of the
          Company  (whether   real,   personal  or   mixed,   tangible   or
          intangible),   and,  except   as  reflected   in  the   Financial
          Statements,  there  are no  pending  or  threatened questions  or
          examinations  relating  to,  or  claims asserted  for,  taxes  or

                                          7





          assessments  against the Company, and  there is no  basis for any
          such question  or claim.   The  Company has not  granted or  been
          requested  to  grant  any  extension  of  the  limitation  period
          applicable  to any claim for taxes or assessments with respect to
          taxes.   Neither the Company  nor the selling  consolidated group
          has  executed or entered into a closing agreement or a compromise
          pursuant to Section 7121 of the Code or any predecessor provision
          thereof or any similar  provision of state, local or  foreign tax
          law which is binding  on the Company or the  selling consolidated
          group for any taxable period ending after  the Closing Date.  The
          Company is  not a  party to  or bound by,  or has  any obligation
          under, any tax sharing or similar agreement.

               4.11.     Litigation.  To  Seller's  actual   knowledge  and
          except  as set  forth  in Schedule  4.11,  there are  no  claims,
          actions, suits, proceedings, inquiry or investigations pending or
          threatened by or  against, or otherwise affecting  the Company at
          law or in equity or before or by any federal, state, municipal or
          other   governmental   department,  commission,   board,  agency,
          instrumentality  or  authority.    Seller does  not  have  actual
          knowledge  of  any  basis  for  any  such  claim,  action,  suit,
          proceeding or  investigation.   To Seller's actual  knowledge, no
          claim,  action, suit,  proceeding or  investigation set  forth in
          Schedule  4.11,  could, if  adversely  decided,  have a  material
          adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), assets,
          liabilities, earnings, prospects or business of the Company.

               4.12.     Insurance.   Schedule  4.12 hereto  sets  forth  a
          complete   and  accurate   list  (including   carriers)  of   all
          professional liability policies of insurance presently in  effect
          with  respect to  the  Company.   All  such policies  are  valid,
          outstanding and enforceable policies; and are and will  remain in
          full force and effect  at least through the respective  dates set
          forth  in  Schedule  4.12   without  the  payment  of  additional
          premiums; and will not in any way be affected by, or terminate or
          lapse  by  reason  of,  the  transactions  contemplated  by  this
          Agreement.  Such policies are sufficient for compliance with  all
          requirements  of law  and, to  Seller's actual knowledge,  of all
          agreements to  which the Company is a party.  The Company has not
          been refused any insurance, nor has its coverage been limited, by
          any  insurance carrier to which  it has applied  for insurance or
          with whichit has carried insurance during the last three years.  

               4.13.     Employees and Fringe Benefit Plans.

                    (a)  To the actual  knowledge of Seller,  Schedule 4.13
          sets  forth a  complete list  of all  of the  Company's employees
          (both  full- and  part-time)  (the "Company  Employees") and  the
          annual rate of compensation  being paid to each  Company Employee
          as of the most recent practicable date.



                                          8





                    (b)  To  the Seller's  actual knowledge,  Schedule 4.13
          hereto  contains  a  complete  list of  each  employment,  bonus,
          deferred compensation, pension, stock option,  stock appreciation
          right,   profit-sharing  or   retirement  plan,   arrangement  or
          practice,  and  each  other  agreement or  fringe  benefit  plan,
          arrangement or practice,  of the Seller which applies  to Company
          Employees (the  "Plans"),  whether formal  or  informal,  whether
          legally binding or  not, and whether affecting one or more of its
          employees.  Copies of each such agreement or plan have heretofore
          been  delivered to Buyer.   Seller does not  have any commitment,
          whether formal  or informal and  whether legally binding  or not,
          (i) to create any additional such agreement, plan, arrangement or
          practice;  (ii)  to modify  or change  any such  agreement, plan,
          arrangement  or  practice, except  as  necessary  to comply  with
          applicable law; or  (iii) to maintain for any period  of time any
          such  agreement,   plan,  arrangement  or   practice,  except  as
          accurately and  completely described in Schedule  4.13.  Schedule
          4.13 contains an accurate and complete description of the funding
          policies (and commitments, if any) of Seller with respect to each
          such existing plan, arrangement or practice.

                    (c)  Except  as disclosed  in Schedule  4.13, (i)  each
          employer who is participating in each Plan (the "Sponsors") is in
          compliance  with  the  requirements   provided  by  any  and  all
          statutes, orders or  governmental rules or  regulations currently
          in effect, including  without limitation the Employee  Retirement
          Income  Security  Act  of  1974, as  amended  ("ERISA"),  and the
          Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"); (ii) each
          Plan  and its  related trust,  if any,  are qualified  under Code
          Section 401(a) and Code Section 501(a) and has been determined by
          the IRS to  qualify, and nothing has since occurred  to cause the
          loss of the plan's qualification; (iii) all contributions for all
          periods ending prior to Closing (including periods from the first
          day of  the current plan year  to Closing) will be  made prior to
          the Closing by Seller in accordance with past practice, the terms
          of  each  such  Plan  and  the  recommended contribution  in  the
          applicable  actuarial report;  (iv)  all insurance  premiums have
          been  paid   in  full,  subject  only   to  normal  retrospective
          adjustments  in the ordinary course, with regard to each plan for
          policy  years  or other  applicable policy  periods ending  on or
          before Closing; (v) that no accumulated funding deficiency within
          the meaning  of ERISA Section  302 or  Code Section 412  has been
          incurred  with respect to any  plan, whether or  not waived; (vi)
          neither  the  Sponsors  nor  any of  their  directors,  officers,
          employees or any other fiduciary has any liability for failure to
          comply with ERISA or the Code for any action or failure to act in
          connection  with the  administration or  investment of  the plan;
          (vii) no plan subject to Title IV of ERISA has been completely or
          partially  terminated;  (viii)   the  Pension  Benefit   Guaranty
          Corporation  has not  instituted  or threatened  a proceeding  to
          terminate any plan pursuant  to Subtitle 1 of Title  IV of ERISA;
          (ix)  Seller does not have  any liability for  the termination of

                                          9





          any single employer plan under ERISA Section 4062 or any multiple
          employer  plan  under  ERISA Section  4063;  (x)  Seller  has not
          incurred, nor  expects to incur any  withdrawal liability (either
          as a contributing employer or as part of a controlled group which
          includes a contributing employer),  which has not been satisfied,
          to any  multiemployer plan  (as defined in  ERISA) in  connection
          with any complete  or partial withdrawal from such plan occurring
          on or  before the  Closing;   (xi) Seller  has  no unfunded  past
          service liability  in  respect of  any  of its  employee  benefit
          plans; (xii)  the actuarially  computed value of  vested benefits
          under any employee  benefit plan  of Seller does  not exceed  the
          fair  market  value of  the fund  assets  relating to  such plan;
          (xiii)   neither   Seller  nor   any   plan   nor  any   trustee,
          administrator, fiduciary  or sponsor of  any plan has  engaged in
          any prohibited transactions as defined in the ERISA, or the Code;
          (xiv) all filings and reports  as to such Plans required to  have
          been made on or prior to the Closing Date to the Internal Revenue
          Service,  the   United  States  Department  of   Labor  or  other
          governmental agencies have  been or will be  made on or  prior to
          the Closing  Date; (xv) there is no material litigation, disputed
          claim,  governmental  proceeding  or  investigation   pending  or
          threatened with respect to any of such Plans, the related trusts,
          or  any  fiduciary, trustee,  administrator  or  sponsor of  such
          Plans;  (xvi) such  Plans have  been established,  maintained and
          administered in  all material  respects in accordance  with their
          governing documents  and applicable  provisions of ERISA  and the
          Code and  Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder; and (xvii)
          there has been no  "Reportable Event" as defined in  Section 4043
          of ERISA with respect to any  Plan subject to Subtitle B of Title
          IV of  ERISA that  has not  been waived  by  the Pension  Benefit
          Guaranty Corporation.

                    (d)  Except  as set forth  on Schedule 4.13  and to the
          actual  knowledge  of Seller,  the  Company has  complied  in all
          material respects  with all  applicable federal, state  and local
          laws,  rules and  regulations relating  to employees'  employment
          and/or employment relationships,  including, without  limitation,
          wage related  laws, anti-discrimination laws and  employee safety
          laws.

                    (e)  Except to  the extent  required by applicable  law
          and to Seller's  actual knowledge, the Company is not  a party to
          any contract or agreement  which would require Buyer to  hire, or
          subject Buyer to liability if it terminated or did  not hire, any
          employee of the Company  or which would  require Buyer to pay  or
          provide,  or subject  Buyer to  liability if  it  did not  pay or
          provide, any employee benefits to any employee of the Company for
          periods prior to or after the Closing Date (including any and all
          employee benefits and any compensatory, over-time, vacation, sick
          or holiday pay).



                                          10





               4.14.     Banking Relationships.  To the actual knowledge of
          Seller, Schedule 4.14 sets  forth the names and locations  of all
          banks, trust  companies, savings and loan  associations and other
          financial  institutions  at  which  the  Company  maintains  safe
          deposit  boxes or accounts  of any  nature and  the names  of all
          persons authorized to  have access thereto, draw thereon  or make
          withdrawals therefrom.   At the Closing,  Seller will deliver  to
          Buyer copies of all records of which Seller has actual knowledge,
          including all  signatures or authorization  cards, pertaining  to
          such safe deposit boxes and bank accounts.

               4.15.     Professional Fees.   Seller has not done  anything
          to  cause  or incur  any liability  or obligation  for investment
          banking,  brokerage,  finders,  agents  or  other  similar  fees,
          commissions,  expenses   or  charges   in  connection   with  the
          negotiation,   preparation,  execution  or  performance  of  this
          Agreement or  the consummation  of the  transactions contemplated
          hereby, and  Seller does not know of any claim by anyone for such
          a fee, commission, expense or charge.

               4.16.     Consents  and Approvals.   Seller has obtained all
          consents, approvals,  authorizations or orders of  third parties,
          including   governmental   authorities,    necessary   for    the
          authorization,  execution and  performance of  this Agreement  by
          Seller.

               4.17.     Corporate  Records.    Seller  has   delivered  or
          provided  to  Buyer for  its  review true,  complete  and correct
          copies  of  the  following items,  as  amended  and  presently in
          effect, for the Company and each Subsidiary:  (a)  Certificate of
          Incorporation,  (b) Bylaws  (only  for the  Company), (c)  minute
          books, and (d) stock registration books (all hereinafter referred
          to  as  the "Corporate  Records").   To  the actual  knowledge of
          Seller, the  Minute Books  contain a  record of all  shareholder,
          director  and  executive  committee  meetings  and actions  taken
          without a meeting from the date of the Company's incorporation to
          the date  hereof.  To the  actual knowledge of Seller,  the stock
          registration  books  are  complete  and accurate  and  contain  a
          complete  record of  all  transactions in  the Company's  capital
          stock from the date of its incorporation to the date hereof.

               4.18.     Full  Disclosure.    To  the  actual knowledge  of
          Seller, neither this Agreement,  nor any Schedule, exhibit, list,
          certificate or other  instrument and document furnished  or to be
          furnished by Seller to Buyer pursuant to this Agreement, contains
          any  untrue statement  of a material  fact or omits  to state any
          material  fact  required  to  be  stated  herein  or  therein  or
          necessary to make the statements and information contained herein
          or therein not misleading; provided, however, in each instance in
          which  the qualification  "to the  Seller's actual  knowledge" is
          made, such representation is  made and given by Seller  solely on
          the  basis of the actual  knowledge of Haywood  D. Cochrane, Jr.,

                                          11





          Gerard  M. Hayden, Jr., David  C. Flaugh, and  James G. Richmond.
          Seller  has not  withheld  from Buyer  disclosure  of any  event,
          condition  or fact  which  Seller actually  knows may  materially
          adversely affect  the Company's  assets,  prospects or  condition
          (financial or otherwise).


                                      ARTICLE V

                       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

               In order to induce Seller to enter into this transaction and
          consummate  the  transactions contemplated  hereby,  Buyer hereby
          represents and warrants to Seller as follows:

               5.01.     Organization  and  Good  Standing.    Buyer  is  a
          corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
          under the laws of  the State of Tennessee and  has full corporate
          power and  authority to  enter  into this  Agreement, the  Escrow
          Note,  the  Services  Agreement  and  the  Buyer  Non-Competition
          Agreement and  to carry out the  transactions contemplated hereby
          and thereby.   Buyer has  full corporate power  and authority  to
          carry  on  its  business  as  now  conducted  and  possesses  all
          governmental    and   other   permits,    licenses,   and   other
          authorizations  to   own,  lease,  or  operate   its  assets  and
          properties as now owned, leased, and operated and to carry on its
          business as presently conducted.

               5.02.     Authorization.   The Board  of Directors  of Buyer
          has taken all action required by law, its Charter, its Bylaws and
          otherwise to authorize  the execution  and delivery  by Buyer  of
          this  Agreement, the Escrow Note, the  Services Agreement and the
          Buyer Non-Competition Agreement and  the consummation by Buyer of
          the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

               5.03.     Valid and Binding Agreement.   This Agreement, the
          Escrow Note, the Services Agreement and the Buyer Non-Competition
          Agreement constitute  the legal, valid and  binding agreements of
          Buyer,   enforceable  against  Buyer  in  accordance  with  their
          respective terms.

               5.04.     No Violation.  The  execution and delivery of this
          Agreement, the Escrow  Note, the Services Agreement and the Buyer
          Non-Competition   Agreement   and   the   consummation   of   the
          transactions contemplated hereby and thereby  will not as of  the
          Closing: (i) require Buyer  to file or register with,  obtain any
          permit, authorization, consent  or approval of, any  governmental
          entity, except  filings and registrations duly  made and permits,
          authorizations, consents and approvals duly obtained prior to the
          Closing  Date, (ii)  require Buyer  to obtain  any authorization,
          consent or approval of  any other person other than  those which,
          if not duly obtained  prior to the Closing Date,  individually or

                                          12





          in  the aggregate, are not  reasonably likely to  have a material
          adverse effect on Buyer's business, (iii) result in the breach of
          any of the terms or conditions of, or constitute a default under,
          the  Certificate  of  Incorporation or  Bylaws  of  Buyer or  any
          mortgage,   bond,  indenture,   agreement,  franchise   or  other
          instrument or obligation  to which Buyer  is a party or  by which
          any  of Buyer's properties or  assets may be  bound or materially
          affected, (iv) either itself or with  notice or lapse of time  or
          both, violate or  be in  conflict with, or  constitute a  default
          under, or result in the termination of, or cause the acceleration
          of the maturity of any debt or obligation pursuant  to, or result
          in the  creation or imposition of any lien upon any of the assets
          of Buyer under,  any agreement to  which Buyer is  a party or  by
          which any of Buyer's assets are bound or subject, (v) violate any
          statute, law, regulation  or rule of any governmental  entity, or
          (vi) violate any  judgement, decree, writ, injunction or order of
          any court,  administrative agency  of governmental entity  or any
          arbitration award applicable to the Buyer or any of the assets of
          Buyer.  

               5.05.     Professional Fees.  Buyer has not done anything to
          cause or  incur any liability for  investment banking, brokerage,
          finders, agents  or other fees, commissions,  expenses or charges
          in  connection with  the negotiation,  preparation, execution  or
          performance   this   Agreement  or   the   consummation  of   the
          transactions contemplated hereby, and Buyer  does not know of any
          claim by anyone for such expense, charge, commission or fee.

               5.06.     Consents and  Approvals.   Buyer has  obtained all
          consents, approvals,  authorizations or orders  of third parties,
          including   governmental   authorities,    necessary   for    the
          authorization, execution and  performance of this  Agreement, the
          Escrow Note, the Services Agreement and the Buyer Non-Competition
          Agreement by Buyer.

               5.07.     Full Disclosure.  Neither  this Agreement, nor any
          certificate or other  instrument or document  furnished or to  be
          furnished by Buyer to Seller pursuant to this Agreement, contains
          any untrue  statement of  a  material fact  or omits  to state  a
          material  fact  required  to  be  stated  herein  or  therein  or
          necessary to make the statements and information contained herein
          or  therein not misleading.   Buyer has not  withheld from Seller
          disclosure  of any event, condition or fact which Buyer knows may
          materially adversely  affect the Buyer's ability  to perform this
          Agreement, the Escrow Note, the  Services Agreement or the  Buyer
          Non-Competition Agreement.

               5.08.  No View to Distribution.   The purchase of the Shares
          by the Buyer  is being made  for investment only  and not with  a
          view to sale or distribution thereof.



                                          13





                                      ARTICLE VI

                          COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS OF SELLER

               Seller  agrees that from the date  hereof until the Closing,
          and  thereafter  if so  specified, it  will,  and will  cause the
          Company to, fulfill the following covenants and agreements unless
          otherwise consented to by Buyer in writing:

               6.01 Further  Assurances.  At any time and from time to time
          after  the  Closing,  at  Buyer's  request  and  without  further
          consideration,  Seller  will  execute  and   deliver  such  other
          instruments   of  sale,  transfer,  conveyance,  assignment,  and
          delivery and confirmation and  take such action as the  Buyer may
          reasonably deem necessary or  desirable in order more effectively
          to  transfer, convey and  assign to Buyer  and to  place Buyer in
          possession and control of,  and to confirm Buyer's title  to, the
          Shares, and to assist Buyer in exercising all rights and enjoying
          all benefits with respect thereto.  After the Closing, at Buyer's
          request, Seller  will deliver physical possession to the Buyer of
          any of the  Company's assets which  may be  in the possession  of
          Seller.  In addition, the Seller will take all  such other action
          as  may be reasonably requested  by Buyer in  order to facilitate
          Buyer's favorable tax treatment  with respect to the transactions
          contemplated by this Agreement.

               6.02.     Confidentiality.   In  the event  the transactions
          contemplated by  this  Agreement are  consummated, Seller  agrees
          that for a period  of three (3) years thereafter,  neither Seller
          nor NHL,  nor any  of their affiliates,  or any of  their agents,
          directors, officers or employees,  shall, directly, indirectly or
          otherwise,  disclose  or disseminate  to  any  third parties  any
          Confidential  Information  (as  defined  below), except  for  any
          information that must  be disclosed under applicable law.  Seller
          acknowledges that Seller and its  affiliates may have access from
          time to time to  such Confidential Information as a result of the
          data  processing services  contemplated by  Section 2.04  of this
          Agreement.   For purposes of this  Section 6.04(b), "Confidential
          Information"  shall mean  any information, documents  and records
          disclosed or furnished by  Buyer or the Company to  Seller or its
          affiliates, whether orally or in writing, in connection  with the
          contemplated data  processing  services or  otherwise other  than
          information which is generally known, or readily ascertainable by
          a proper  means, by  other persons  concerning the  Company, that
          through no fault of Seller  or its affiliates, becomes  available
          generally (i.e., from sources other than Buyer or the Company) to
          either Seller or its affiliates.

               6.03.     Taxes.  Seller will be responsible for, and hereby
          agrees to  assume and pay, all sales  and similar taxes which may
          be  due to any jurisdiction  or governmental body  as a result of
          the sale and transfer of the Shares.  Seller shall file, or cause

                                          14





          to be filed, with the appropriate taxing authorities, all returns
          and  reports with respect to  any federal, state,  local or other
          taxes that are required to be filed by the Company for the period
          ended the Closing Date, and the Seller shall pay, or  cause to be
          paid, all taxes of any nature due for such period.

               6.04.     Consents and  Approvals.   Seller  shall take  all
          necessary  corporate  and other  action  and  use all  reasonable
          efforts to obtain all  consents, approvals, permits, licenses and
          amendments of agreements necessary  to carry out the transactions
          contemplated in this Agreement.

               6.05.     Employees.  Seller agrees  to pay bonuses to those
          employees  of the Company set  forth on Schedule  6.05 hereto for
          calendar  year 1994 in the  amounts set forth  opposite each such
          employee's name on Schedule 6.05.

               6.06.     Seller Savings Deferral  Plan.  Seller  will cause
          the  account  balances  under  the Allied  Clinical  Laboratories
          Savings Deferral Plan of all individuals actively employed by the
          Company on December  31, 1994  to become fully  (100%) vested  in
          connection  with the merger of such plan into the National Health
          Laboratories Incorporated Employees' Savings and Investment Plan,
          to be effected as of such date.  


                                     ARTICLE VII

                          COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS OF BUYER

               Buyer agrees that  from the date  hereof until the  Closing,
          and  thereafter, if  so specified,  it will,  and will  cause the
          Company  to,  fulfill  the  following covenants  and  agreements,
          unless otherwise consented to by Seller in writing:

               7.01.     Debt  Limitation.   As  long  as  the Escrow  Note
          remains outstanding,  Buyer covenants and agrees  that Buyer will
          not,  and will  not permit  any subsidiary  of Buyer,  to create,
          assume or  incur or in  any manner  be or become  liable for  any
          indebtedness  at  any  time in  excess,  individually  or in  the
          aggregate, of $4,000,000.

               7.02.  Employee Benefits.  (a)  Buyer shall cause Company to
          provide group  medical, group  dental, group-term life  and other
          welfare benefit plan benefits to  employees of the Company  after
          the Closing Date.  Buyer  further agrees that (i) it  shall cause
          the Company to take  all necessary actions to satisfy  the notice
          and benefit requirements under  Code Section 4980B and Part  6 of
          Title  I  of ERISA  (collectively, "COBRA")  with respect  to the
          Company's employees and independent contractors as of the Closing
          Date  (and their  spouses and  dependent children),  (ii) neither
          Seller,  NHL, nor  any group  health plan  (as defined  in COBRA)

                                          15





          maintained  by  Seller  or  NHL,  shall  have  any  obligation or
          liability whatsoever with respect  to any action, demand, tax  or
          claim which relates to any such individual, regardless of whether
          such action, demand, tax or claim  arises before, on or after the
          Closing Date, and (iii) any such obligation or liability shall be
          borne by the Company and the Buyer.

                    (b)   Within  30 days  after the  Closing, Buyer  shall
          cause the Company to adopt a defined  contribution profit sharing
          plan with a  cash or deferred feature,  which plan shall be  tax-
          qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code.


                                     ARTICLE VIII

                          CONDITIONS TO BUYER'S OBLIGATIONS

               All  obligations  of  Buyer  hereunder are  subject  to  the
          fulfillment, prior to or at the Closing, of each of the following
          conditions:

               8.01.     Representations     and    Warranties.         The
          representations  and  warranties  made  by  the  Seller  in  this
          Agreement shall  be true when made  and at and as of  the time of
          the Closing  as though  such representations and  warranties were
          made at and as of such date.

               8.02.     Performance.   Seller  shall  have  performed  and
          complied  with   all  agreements,  obligations,   and  conditions
          required by this Agreement to be so complied with or performed.

               8.03.     Officer's   Certificate.      Seller  shall   have
          delivered to Buyer a Certificate of the President of Seller dated
          the  Closing  Date, certifying  as  to  the  fulfillment  of  the
          conditions specified in Sections 8.01 and 8.02 hereof.

               8.04.     Opinion of Counsel.   Buyer shall have received an
          opinion of Seller's counsel,  Coffield, Ungaretti & Harris, dated
          the Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to Buyer.

               8.05.     Consents and Approvals.  Buyer shall have received
          all consents  required for  the consummation of  the transactions
          contemplated hereby, all of  which consents shall be in  form and
          substance satisfactory to Buyer.  

               8.06.     Litigation.  Except as set forth in Schedule 4.11,
          on  the  date  of  the  Closing,  neither  the  Company  nor  any
          Subsidiary  shall  be a  party to,  nor  will there  otherwise be
          pending or  threatened,  any judicial,  administrative, or  other
          action,   proceeding  or   investigation   which,  if   adversely
          determined  might, in  the reasonable  opinion  of Buyer,  have a
          material  adverse   effect  upon   the  Company,  Buyer   or  the

                                          16





          transactions contemplated hereby; and  there shall be no lawsuits
          pending  against the  Company,  the Seller  or  Buyer seeking  to
          enjoin, prohibit, restrain or  otherwise prevent the transactions
          contemplated hereby.

               8.07.    Services Agreement.    Seller  and  NHL shall  have
          executed and delivered to Buyer the Services Agreement.

               8.08.   Seller Non-Solicitation  Agreement.  Seller  and NHL
          shall  have executed  and  delivered  to  Buyer the  Seller  Non-
          Solicitation Agreement.

               8.09.    Citicorp  USA  Release.   Citicorp  USA,  Inc.,  as
          administrative agent  for NHL's  lending group, shall  cause such
          lending  group  to   release  its  lien  on  the   Company's  and
          Subsidiary's  assets,  and  Buyer  and  its  counsel  shall  have
          received evidence of such release in form reasonably satisfactory
          to them at or prior to the Closing.


                                      ARTICLE IX

                          CONDITIONS TO SELLER'S OBLIGATIONS

               All obligations  of Seller under this  Agreement are subject
          to the  fulfillment, prior to or  at the Closing, of  each of the
          following conditions:

               9.01.     Representations     and    Warranties.         The
          representations  and  warranties  made   by  the  Buyer  in  this
          Agreement shall  be true when made and  at and as of  the time of
          the Closing  as though  such representations and  warranties were
          made at and as of such date.

               9.02.     Performance.    Buyer  shall  have  performed  and
          complied   with  all  agreements,   obligations,  and  conditions
          required by this Agreement to be so complied with or performed.

               9.03.     Officer's Certificate.  Buyer shall have delivered
          to  Seller a  Certificate of  the President  of Buyer,  dated the
          Closing Date, certifying as to the fulfillment of  the conditions
          specified in Sections 9.01 and 9.02 hereof.

               9.04.     Opinion of  Counsel for Buyer.   Seller shall have
          received  an opinion  of Buyer's  counsel, Stokes  & Bartholomew,
          P.A., dated the Closing Date, in form and substance  satisfactory
          to Seller.

               9.05.  Services  Agreement.  Buyer  shall have executed  and
          delivered to Seller the Services Agreement.



                                          17





               9.06.  Escrow Note.  Buyer shall have executed and delivered
          to Seller the Escrow Note.


                                      ARTICLE X

                                   INDEMNIFICATION

               10.01.    Indemnification by  Seller.   Subject  to  Section
          11.01,  Seller  hereby  agrees  to  defend,  indemnify  and  hold
          harmless Buyer,  the Company, the Subsidiary, and each of Buyer's
          shareholders, affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents,
          successors and  assigns ("Buyer's Indemnified Persons") and shall
          reimburse Buyer's Indemnified Persons  for, from and against each
          claim,  loss, liability,  cost  and  expense (including,  without
          limitation,  interest,  penalties,   costs  of  preparation   and
          investigation,  and   the  reasonable  fees,   disbursements  and
          expenses   of  attorneys,  accountants   and  other  professional
          advisors)  (collectively,  "Losses"),   directly  or   indirectly
          relating  to,  resulting  from  or  arising  out  of  any  untrue
          representation,   misrepresentation,   breach   of  warranty   or
          nonfulfillment of any covenant,  agreement or other obligation by
          or  of Seller  contained herein,  any Schedule  hereto or  in any
          certificate, document  or instrument delivered to  Buyer pursuant
          hereto.

               10.02.    Indemnification by  Buyer.  Buyer hereby agrees to
          defend, indemnify and hold harmless Seller, and each of  Seller's
          affiliates,  officers,  directors, employees,  agents, successors
          and assigns ("Seller's Indemnified Persons"), and shall reimburse
          Seller's  Indemnified  Persons  for,   from  and  against  Losses
          directly or indirectly relating to, resulting from or arising out
          of  any  untrue  representation,  misrepresentation,   breach  of
          warranty or  nonfulfillment of  any covenant, agreement  or other
          obligation  by  Buyer contained  herein  or  in any  certificate,
          document or instrument delivered to Seller pursuant hereto.

               10.03.    Procedure.    (a)   The  indemnified  party  shall
          promptly  notify the  indemnifying  party of  any claim,  demand,
          action  or proceeding  for which  indemnification will  be sought
          under Sections 10.01  or 10.02  of this Agreement,  and, if  such
          claim, demand,  action  or proceeding  is  a third  party  claim,
          demand, action  or proceeding,  the indemnifying party  will have
          the  right at  its expense  to assume  the defense  thereof using
          counsel  reasonably acceptable  to  the indemnified  party.   The
          indemnified party shall have the right to participate, at its own
          expense, with  respect to  any such  third  party claim,  demand,
          action  or proceeding.  In  connection with any  such third party
          claim, demand, action or  proceeding, Buyer and the  Seller shall
          cooperate with each other  and provide each other with  access to
          relevant  books and records in  their possession.   No such third
          party  claim,  demand,  action  or proceeding  shall  be  settled

                                          18





          without the prior written consent of the indemnified party.  If a
          firm written  offer is made to settle any such third party claim,
          demand, action or proceeding  and the indemnifying party proposes
          to accept such  settlement and the  indemnified party refuses  to
          consent to  such settlement, then:   (i)  the indemnifying  party
          shall  be excused from, and the indemnified party shall be solely
          responsible  for, all further defense  of such third party claim,
          demand, action or  proceeding; and (ii) the  maximum liability of
          the  indemnifying  party  relating  to such  third  party  claim,
          demand,  action or proceeding shall be the amount of the proposed
          settlement  if   the  amount   thereafter   recovered  from   the
          indemnified party  on such third  party claim, demand,  action or
          proceeding is greater than the amount of the proposed settlement.
          In addition to its  other remedies, Buyer shall have the right to
          recover  its Losses by offset against the Escrow Note, subject to
          Sections  11.01 and 10.03(b).  In addition to its other remedies,
          Seller  shall  have the  right to  recover  its Losses  by offset
          against amounts  payable to  Buyer under the  Services Agreement,
          subject to Sections 11.01 and 10.03(b).

                    (b)  Notwithstanding any provision contained  herein to
          the contrary, neither Seller nor Buyer  shall have any obligation
          to indemnify or to reimburse the other pursuant to Sections 10.01
          or 10.02 except to the  extent that the obligations to  the other
          hereunder exceed in the aggregate $100,000.00, in which event the
          indemnifying party shall reimburse  the indemnified party for all
          Losses.


                                      ARTICLE XI

                             SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS

               11.01.    Survival of Representations.  All representations,
          warranties, covenants and agreements  by the parties contained in
          this Agreement  shall  survive the  Closing, and  except for  the
          representations and warranties contained  in Section 4.10 of this
          Agreement, shall  expire on the second anniversary of the Closing
          Date.   The  representation  contained in  Section  4.10 of  this
          Agreement shall  expire concurrently  with the expiration  of the
          applicable  statute of  limitations for  the various  tax matters
          covered by such representation.

               11.02.    Statements  as  Representations.   All  statements
          contained  in  any  certificate or  Schedule  delivered  pursuant
          hereto or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby
          shall be  deemed representations and warranties  for all purposes
          of this Agreement.

               11.03.    Remedies Exclusive.   Except as otherwise provided
          under  applicable  law, the  remedies  provided  herein shall  be
          exclusive and shall preclude the assertion by any party hereto of

                                          19





          any other rights or the seeking of any other remedies against the
          other party hereto.


                                     ARTICLE XII

                                    MISCELLANEOUS

               12.01.    Expenses.    All  fees  and  expenses  incurred by
          Seller, including without limitation, legal fees and expenses, in
          connection  with this Agreement will  be borne by  Seller and all
          fees  and  expenses   incurred  by   Buyer,  including,   without
          limitation,  legal fees  and  expenses, in  connection with  this
          Agreement will be borne by Buyer.

               12.02.    Assignability; Parties in Interest.

                    (a)  With Seller's  prior  written consent,  Buyer  may
          assign any and all of its rights hereunder to any affiliate of or
          any  direct or  indirect  subsidiary of  Buyer,  and Buyer  shall
          advise Seller  of any  such assignment  and shall  designate such
          party as the assignee and transferee of the securities purchased.
          Any such assignee shall assume all of Buyer's duties, obligations
          and undertakings hereunder, but  the assignor shall remain liable
          thereunder.

                    (b)  Seller  may  not  assign,  transfer  or  otherwise
          dispose  of any of its rights hereunder without the prior written
          consent of Buyer.

                    (c)  All  the terms  and provisions  of this  Agreement
          shall be binding upon, shall inure to the benefit of and shall be
          enforceable  by  the  respective  heirs,   successors,  permitted
          assigns  and legal  or  personal representatives  of the  parties
          hereto.

               12.03.    Entire  Agreement;  Amendments.   This  Agreement,
          including the exhibits, Schedules,  lists and other documents and
          writings referred  to herein or delivered  pursuant hereto, which
          form  a  part hereof,  contains the  entire understanding  of the
          parties  with  respect  to its  subject  matter.    There are  no
          restrictions,  agreements,  promises,  warranties,  covenants  or
          undertakings  other  than those  expressly  set  forth herein  or
          therein.   This  Agreement  supersedes all  prior agreements  and
          undertakings  between the  parties  with respect  to its  subject
          matter.   This  Agreement  may  be  amended  only  by  a  written
          instrument  duly  executed by  all  parties  or their  respective
          heirs,   successors,   permitted   assigns   or   legal  personal
          representatives.     Any  condition   to  a  party's  obligations
          hereunder  may be waived, but only by a written instrument signed
          by  the party entitled to  the benefits thereof.   The failure or
          delay of any party at any time or times to require performance of

                                          20





          any  provision  or to  exercise its  rights  with respect  to any
          provision hereof,  shall in no manner  operate as a  waiver of or
          affect such party's right at a later time to enforce the same.

               12.04.    Headings.    The  section and  paragraph  headings
          contained in this  Agreement are for reference purposes  only and
          shall not affect  in any  way the meaning  or interpretations  of
          this Agreement.

               12.05.    Severability.  The invalidity of any term or terms
          of  this  Agreement  shall not  affect  any  other  term of  this
          Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

               12.06.    Notices.   All  notices, request,  claims, demands
          and  other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall
          be  deemed to  have  been  duly  given  if  delivered  or  mailed
          (registered or  certified mail,  postage prepaid,  return receipt
          requested) as follows:

               If the Seller or NHL:

               Allied Clinical Laboratories, Inc.
               c/o National Health Laboratories Incorporated
               4225 Executive Square, Suite 800
               La Jolla, California  92037 
               Attn:  Mr. Haywood D. Cochrane, Jr.

               With a copy to:

               John W. Christy, Esq.
               Coffield, Ungaretti & Harris
               3500 Three First National Plaza
               Chicago, Illinois  60602

               If the Buyer:

               Reference Pathology Holding Company, Inc.
               1800 Church Street, Suite 300
               Nashville, Tennessee  37203
               Attn:  Robert R. West, M.D.

               With a copy to:

               Carter R. Todd, Esq.
               Stokes & Bartholomew, P.A.
               424 Church Street, Suite 2800
               Nashville, Tennessee  37219

          or  to such other address as any  party may have furnished to the
          others in writing in accordance herewith, except that  notices of
          change of address shall only be effective upon receipt.


                                          21





               12.07.    Governing Law.   This Agreement shall  be governed
          by and  construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the
          State of Tennessee, without regard to its conflict of law rules.

               12.08.    Counterparts.    This  Agreement may  be  executed
          simultaneously  in one or more counterparts, with the same effect
          as  if the  signatories  executing the  several counterparts  had
          executed  one counterpart,  provided, however,  that the  several
          executed counterparts  shall together have been  signed by Buyer,
          and the Seller.   All such  executed counterparts shall  together
          constitute one and the same instrument.

               IN WITNESS  WHEREOF, this  Agreement has been  duly executed
          and delivered by the duly authorized officers of Buyer and by the
          Seller on the date first above written.

                                   BUYER:

                                   REFERENCE PATHOLOGY HOLDING COMPANY,
                                   INC.


                                   By:/s/ Robert R. West
                                      ------------------
                                   Title: President
                                         ---------------

                                   SELLER:

                                   ALLIED CLINICAL LABORATORIES, INC.


                                   By:/s/ James G. Richmond
                                      ---------------------
                                   Title: Executive Vice President
                                         -------------------------
















                                         22 
 





                                    SCHEDULE 2.04


          (a)   Included Data Processing  Services for the One-Year Term on
                the Terms Set Forth in Section 2.04 of the Agreement.

                1.  Immediate release from "Expect Pricing"
                2.  Conversion within  60 days  of Closing  of printing  of
                    all mailers locally at the Company
                3.  Access   to    make   changes    in   billable    party
                    configurations
                4.  Resolution  of  any  outstanding electronic  filing and
                    claims printing issues
                5.  Satisfactory   implementation   and    maintenance   of
                    electronic signatures modifications
                6.  Two  weeks  of  on-site  training  for   new  RPL  Data
                    Processing Manager
                7.  Reasonable  cooperation, including up  to 120  hours of
                    free service, in effecting conversion of  all pertinent
                    data to new RPL system
                8.  Ongoing  support  for  all  DP issues  until  permanent
                    conversion  to an  independent  Company system  at  the
                    existing levels of support for the 12-month term.


          (b)   Rates for Elective Continuation of Data Processing Services

                $12,500/month  Fixed Rate Support

                $75/hour       For development and new project support 
                               work outside existing support services






















                                          23
EXHIBIT 10.30
                          AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


                       Amendment dated as of April 1, 1994, to Employment
             Agreement as heretofore amended (the "Agreement"), dated May
             1,  1991  between  La  Jolla Management  Corp.,  a  Delaware
             corporation  (the  "Company"),  and  David  C.  Flaugh  (the
             "Executive").

                       The Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

                       1.   Section 1 is amended to provide that the term
             of the Agreement shall  extend through December 31,  1996 or
             such  later date to which the  Executive's employment may be
             extended as provided in Section 5 of the Agreement.

                       2.   Section 2 is amended  by adding the following
             sentence to the end thereof:

                       The  duties  to   be  performed  by  the
                       Executive  shall be  performed primarily
                       at the offices of the Company in the San
                       Diego  County   California  metropolitan
                       area,   subject  to   reasonable  travel
                       requirements on behalf of the Company.

                       3.   Section 6(b)  is amended  in its entirety  to
             read as follows:

                       (b)  The  Executive  may  terminate  his
                       employment  hereunder for  "Good Reason"
                       within  thirty  (30)   days  after   the
                       occurrence,  without written  consent of
                       the Executive, of  one of the  following
                       events  that has  not been  cured within
                       ten  (10)  days  after   written  notice
                       thereof has been  given by Executive  to
                       the Company:

                            (i)  the assignment to Executive of
                       duties materially  inconsistent with his
                       status   as    Senior   Executive   Vice
                       President and Chief Operating Officer of
                       the Company or  an adverse alteration in
                       the      nature      of      Executive's
                       responsibilities   as   Executive   Vice
                       President;

                            (ii) a reduction by the  Company in
                       the  Executive's  Base Salary  or Annual
                       Bonus or a failure by the Company to pay
                       any such amounts when due;

                            (iii)     the   Company's  material
                       breach of the terms of this Agreement.

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


                                           LA JOLLA MANAGEMENT CORP.


          By:/s/David C. Flaugh                  By:/s/James R. Maher
             ---------------                        -----------------
             David Flaugh                           James R. Maher
             Executive                              Chief Executive Officer

EXHIBIT 10.44


                                 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


               AGREEMENT dated  June 23, 1994 between NATIONAL HEALTH

          LABORATORIES   INCORPORATED,   a   Delaware    corporation   (the

          "Company"), and Haywood D. Cochrane, Jr. (the "Executive").



               The  Company  desires  to  employ  Executive  and  Executive

          desires  to be in  the employ of  the Company upon  the terms set

          forth herein.



               Accordingly, the parties agree as follows:



               1.   Employment  Term.   The  Company agrees  to employ  the

          Executive and  the Executive  agrees to be  in the employ  of the

          Company, for the period commencing on June 22, 1994 and ending on

          June  21, 1995,  or  such later  date  to which  the  Executive's

          employment may be extended  as provided in Section 5  hereof (the

          "Term").



               2.   Duties  and Responsibilities.   The  Executive's duties

          and  responsibilities  shall  be  as   may  be  assigned  to  the

          Executive.   The Executive  shall  devote full  working time  and

          attention   to  the   Executive's  duties   and  responsibilities

          hereunder,  and his  principal  employment location  shall be  La

          Jolla, California.   The Executive shall  report directly to  the

          President and C.E.O.



               3.   Salary.   During  the Term,  for all  services provided

          hereunder, the Executive shall receive a salary, payable monthly,

          subject  to  discretionary  increases  in   accordance  with  the

          Company's normal  review policies and procedures.   The Executive

          shall be eligible to  participate in the executive bonus  plan or

          plans applicable to similar  executives of the Company from  time

          to time.   The Executive shall  be eligible to  receive an annual

          bonus  of up  to and  including an  amount equal  to Five-hundred

          Thousand  Dollars ($500,000.00)  pursuant to  such bonus  plan or

          plans.   Initial  base  salary  shall  be Five  Hundred  Thousand

          Dollars ($500,000.00) per year.



               4.   Benefits.



                    (a)  During the  Term, the Executive shall  be eligible

          to participate in all pension, insurance, medical, disability and

          other like  benefit plans made available  generally to executives

          of the  Company of  the Executive's  level, whether  presently in

          effect or adopted hereafter during the Term.



                    (b)  During the term, the  Company shall reimburse  the

          Executive for  reasonable and  necessary expenses related  to the

          Executive's performance under this Agreement,  including expenses

          associated with Executive's  initial relocation to his  principal

          employment  location,  upon   submission  of  detailed   vouchers

          therefor in  accordance with the Company's  standard practices in

          effect from time to time.



                    (c)  During  the Term,  the Company  shall provide  the

          Executive with a  car allowance in accordance  with the Company's

          standard practice in effect from time to time.



                    (d)  The  Executive shall  be  entitled to  four weeks'

          vacation per year.



                    (e)  The  Executive shall receive  Two Hundred Thousand

          (200,000) stock options  in NHL common stock,  effective July 12,

          1994 as  to one-third (1/3) of  such shares, July 12,  1995 as to

          one-third  (1/3)  of such  shares  and July  12, 1996  as  to the

          balance of such shares  issued as part  of the 1994 Stock  Option

          Plan.   Notwithstanding any termination of Executive's employment

          on  or prior  to  December 22,  1994,  such option  shall  remain

          exercisable as to one-third of such shares until at least January

          22, 1995, and shall otherwise be  exercisable on terms consistent

          with  the foregoing and  not less favorable  than those generally

          applicable  to options issued by the Company under its 1994 Stock

          Option Plan.



               5.   Extension of Time.  If neither party gives to the other

          party notice of  termination on or before  the 90th day prior  to

          the  date  of  expiration of  the  Term  hereof,  the Term  shall

          continue  from year to year  unless either party  gives notice of

          termination on or before the 90th day prior  to the expiration of

          the Term hereof.   If the Company gives notice  of termination on

          or  before the  90th  day prior  to the  expiration  of the  Term

          hereof,  then, following the end of the Term, the Executive shall

          be entitled  to normal severance in accordance  with the policies

          of the Company in effect from time to time.



               6.   Termination.



                    (a)  The Company shall have  the right to terminate the

          Term at  any time immediately by  written notice for  cause or in

          the  event of  the  Executive's death  or  disability.   As  used

          herein, (i) "cause" shall mean the Executive's material breach of

          the terms  of this  Agreement,  the Executive's  commission of  a

          felony or an act which is materially detrimental to the Company's

          reputation,  or his  habitual  neglect of  his duties  under this

          Agreement, and  (ii)  "disability"  shall  mean  the  Executive's

          inability to perform in accordance  herewith by reason of  mental

          or   physical   disorder   or  injury   constituting   "long-term

          disability" for  purposes of the Company's  medical and long-term

          disability plans in effect from time to time.



                    (b)  In the  event of the Company's  material breach of

          the terms of this  Agreement, the Executive shall have  the right

          to terminate the Term at any time immediately by written notice.



               7.   Payment Upon Termination.



                    (a)  In the event that  the Company shall terminate the

          Term  pursuant to Section 6(a) hereof, the Company shall have the

          right to  terminate all further payments  pursuant hereto, except

          as  provided in  Section 11(a) hereof  (unless the  Executive has

          died), and shall have no further obligations hereunder.



                    (b)  In the event that  the Company shall terminate the

          Term  otherwise than pursuant to Sections 5 or 6(a) hereof or the

          Executive  shall  terminate the  Term  pursuant  to Section  6(b)

          hereof,  then, except  as  provided  in  Section  8  hereof,  the

          Company's sole obligations under this Agreement and the severance

          policies and procedures  of the  Company in effect  from time  to

          time shall be (i) to continue to pay to the Executive, in monthly

          installments,  the  Executive's  salary  at the  rate  in  effect

          pursuant to Section  3 on  the date of  termination, through  the

          date on which the Term should  expire pursuant to Sections 1 or 5

          hereof,  as  if the  Company  had  given  notice  of  termination

          pursuant  to Section 5 hereof,  and (ii) to  pay the compensation

          set  forth in  Section  11(a) hereof  (unless  the Executive  has

          died).



               8.   Benefits Continuation.    Upon any  termination of  the

          Executive's employment  as provided  in Section 7(b)  hereof, the

          Executive's employment shall  nevertheless be deemed  to continue

          for a period  of 90 days after such termination of employment for

          purposes  of  determining  the  Executive's  coverage  under  the

          medical  plan and group life insurance programs of the Company or

          its assignee as then in effect.



               9.   Mitigation.   The  Executive shall  not be  required to

          mitigate  the amount of any payments provided for in Section 7(b)

          hereof by  seeking other  employment  or a  consultancy with  any

          other  entity or  otherwise, but the  Executive shall  notify the

          Company  of  any employment  or  consultancy  engaged in  by  the

          Executive during the period covered by any payments  provided for

          in  Section  7(b) hereof,  and  the amounts  payable  pursuant to

          Section 7(b)  shall not be reduced  by the amount of  any salary,

          discretionary bonus or fees so paid or payable in connection with

          such employment or consultancy during such period.



               10.  Non-Alienation.  The Executive shall not have any right

          to  pledge, hypothecate, anticipate or  in any way  create a lien

          upon any payment  or benefits provided under  this Agreement, and

          no  such payment or benefits shall  be assignable in anticipation

          of  payment  either by  voluntary  or  involuntary  acts,  or  by

          operation of law.



               11.  Confidentiality;  Agreement  Not   to  Compete.     The

          Executive recognizes  that the  services to be  performed by  him

          hereunder  are special,  unique  and extraordinary,  and that  by

          reason  of such  employment the Executive  has acquired  and will

          acquire confidential information and trade secrets concerning the

          Company's  operations  and  the  operations  of  its  affiliates.

          Accordingly, it is agreed that:



                    (a)  During the  Term and  for a period  of twenty-four

          (24) months following the  expiration of the Term,  including any

          period  during which payments provided for in Section 7(b) hereof

          are made, the Executive  will not, directly or indirectly,  as an

          officer,  director,  stockholder,   partner,  associate,   owner,

          employee, consultant or otherwise, become or be interested in  or

          associated with  (although the  Executive may  conduct activities

          during said period to seek employment or a consultancy) any other

          corporation, firm or  business that competes  with a business  of

          the Company or with any of  its affiliates to which the Executive

          has  been  assigned  and for  which  the  Executive  had rendered

          substantial  services  in any  geographical  areas  in which  the

          Company or any of  such affiliates are then so  engaged, provided

          that the  Executive's ownership,  directly or indirectly,  of not

          more than one  percent of the issued  and outstanding stock  of a

          corporation,  the  shares of  which  are  regularly traded  on  a

          national securities  exchange or in  the over-the-counter market,

          shall  not, in  any event,  be deemed  to be  a violation  of the

          provision  of  this  Section  11(a).   As  consideration  for the

          Executive's agreement contained hereinabove,  the Company, at its

          sole and  absolute discretion, during the  twenty-four (24) month

          period  following  the  expiration  of  the  Term,  may  pay  the

          Executive, in equal monthly installments, an amount equal to one-

          half (1/2) of the Executive's salary at the rate in effect on the

          date of expiration  of the Term  hereof.  (Failure  to make  such

          payments relieves  the Executive of any  future obligations under

          Section 11 of  this Agreement.)   Provided, however, during  said

          twenty-four  (24)  month  period,  the  Executive  shall  not  be

          considered  an employee of the Company and, except as provided in

          Section  8 hereof, shall  not be entitled to  any of the benefits

          plans  made available generally  to executives of  the Company of

          the Executive's  level; and, provided further,  the Company shall

          not be obligated to  make the payments to Executive,  as provided

          hereinabove,  in the event of  any violation by  the Executive of

          the restrictions set forth hereinabove.



                    (b)  The Executive  shall not divulge to  any entity or

          person (other  than the  Company's assignees and  its affiliates)

          during the Term  or for a period of two  (2) years thereafter any

          information acquired by the Executive concerning the Company's or

          its affiliates' customer lists,  research or development programs

          or plans,  processes, methods or any other  of its or their trade

          secrets, except  information which is available to  the public in

          published literature or becomes public knowledge through no fault

          of  the   Executive.     The  Executive  acknowledges   that  all

          information  the disclosure of which is prohibited hereby is of a

          confidential and proprietary character and of great  value to the

          Company and,  upon the expiration  or sooner termination  of this

          Agreement,  the  Executive  shall  forthwith deliver  up  to  the

          Company  all  records,  memoranda,  data  and  documents  of  any

          description  which refer or relate in any way to such information

          and return to the Company any of its equipment and property which

          may  then  be   in  the  Executive's  possession   or  under  the

          Executive's personal  control.  The Executive  agrees also during

          the Term and for a two (2) year period thereafter not to disclose

          the existence or the terms of this Agreement to any person, other

          than the Executive's immediate family, the Executive's attorneys,

          accountants  and  other  professional  advisors,  lenders,  or  a

          prospective  employer  permitted  hereby,  except   as  otherwise

          required by law.



                    (c)  The Executive agrees that  because he is rendering

          services  of  a  special,  unique  and  extraordinary  character,

          damages  would not be an adequate or reasonable remedy for breach

          of his  obligations under  this Agreement.   Accordingly, in  the

          event of  a breach or threatened  breach by the Executive  of the

          provisions  of Section 11 of this Agreement, the Company shall be

          entitled  to  an  injunction   restraining  the  Executive   from

          violating the  terms hereof,  or from rendering  services to  any

          person, firm,  corporation, association  or other entity  to whom

          any  confidential  information,  trade  secrets,  or  proprietary

          materials of the Company have been disclosed or are threatened to

          be disclosed, or for  whom the Executive is working  or rendering

          service, or threatens to work or render services.  Nothing herein

          shall be construed as prohibiting  the Company from pursuing  any

          other remedies  available to  it for  such  breach or  threatened

          breach of this  Agreement, including the  right to terminate  any

          payments to  the  Executive pursuant  to  this Agreement  or  the

          recovery of  damages from  the Executive.   The  Executive agrees

          that the  issuance of the injunction described  in this paragraph

          may be without the posting  of any bond or other security  by the

          Company.



               12.  Notices.   Any  notice to  be given  hereunder will  be

          deemed  sufficient  if  given  in writing  and  delivered  either

          personally  or sent  by certified  mail to  the Executive  at the

          Executive's  address set forth in the records of the Company, and

          to the Company  at its principal offices,  Attention:  President,

          or in  either case to  such other persons or  addresses as either

          party may request by written notice.



               13.  Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and

          construed and enforced in  accordance with the local laws  of the

          State  of  New  York applicable  to  agreements  made  and to  be

          performed entirely within such State.



               14.  Assignment.   This  Agreement  may be  assigned by  the

          Company to any affiliate  of the Company or to  any non-affiliate

          of the Company that shall succeed  to the business and assets  of

          the Company.   In the event of  any such assignment, the  Company

          shall  cause such affiliate or non-affiliate, as the case may be,

          to  assume the obligations of the Company hereunder, by a written

          agreement  addressed to  the  Executive,  concurrently  with  any

          assignment  with the  same effect  as if  such assignee  were the

          "Company" hereunder.  This Agreement is personal to the Executive

          and  the  Executive may  not assign  any  rights or  delegate any

          responsibilities hereunder  without  the prior  approval  of  the

          Company.



               15.  Covenant Not  to Sue.   In the  event of any  breach of

          this Agreement by the  Company, whether or not by or  through any

          of  its  officers,  directors,  employees  or  shareholders,  the

          Executive hereby covenants, warrants and agrees that he shall not

          directly  or indirectly sue or bring any legal action against, or

          attempt  to obtain  any injunction  or  other legal  or equitable

          remedy against any shareholder,  director, officer or employee of

          the Company or  of any  firm or corporation  affiliated with  the

          Company,  it being understood that his sole right of action shall

          be against the Company as a corporation.



               16.  Binding Effect.   This Agreement shall  be binding upon

          and  inure to  the benefit  of the  parties and  their respective

          successors, heirs  and permitted assigns.  This Agreement may not

          be altered,  modified, changed  or discharged except  in writing,

          signed by both of the parties.



               17.  Entire   Agreement.    This  Agreement  supersedes  the

          Executive's   employment   agreement    with   Allied    Clinical

          Laboratories,  the  Company's subsidiary,  which  will  be of  no

          further force and effect.



               IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement

          as of the day and year first above written.



                              NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES INCORPORATED



                              By:/s/James R. Maher
                                 --------------------
                                    James R. Maher
                                    President and Chief Executive Officer



                                 /s/Haywood D. Cochrane, Jr.
                                 -----------------------
                                    Haywood D. Cochrane, Jr.
                                    Executive

EXHIBIT 10.51


                                                         CONFORMED COPY  











                          SHARING AND CALL OPTION AGREEMENT

                                     dated as of

                                  December 13, 1994

                                        among

                                  HLR Holdings Inc.,


                                 Mafco Holdings Inc.

                                         and

                           National Health Care Group, Inc. 
 






                                  TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                     Page

                                      ARTICLE 1
                                     DEFINITIONS

             1.1.  Certain Definitions   . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    1
             1.2.  Expenses  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    2


                                      ARTICLE 2
                                   SHARING PAYMENTS

             2.1.  Sharing Payments to HLR   . . . . . . . . . . . .    2


                                      ARTICLE 3
                     VOTING OF STOCKHOLDER SHARES FOR THE MERGER

             3.1.  No Sale of Stockholder Shares Prior to
                   Effective Time  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    3
             3.2.  Voting of Stockholder Shares  . . . . . . . . . .    3


                                      ARTICLE 4
                                     CALL RIGHTS

             4.1.  Call Right with Respect to Stockholder Shares   .    3
             4.2.  Closing with Respect to Exercise of Call Right  .    4


                                      ARTICLE 5
                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF STOCKHOLDER

             5.1.  Valid Title   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    4
             5.2.  Authority; Binding Effect   . . . . . . . . . . .    4
             5.3.  Governmental Authorization  . . . . . . . . . . .    5
             5.4.  Non-Contravention   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    5


                                      ARTICLE 6
                        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF HLR

             6.1.  Corporate Power and Authority   . . . . . . . . .    5
             6.2.  Acquisition for HLR's Account   . . . . . . . . .    5


                                      ARTICLE 7
                               COVENANTS OF STOCKHOLDER

                                                                      Page 

             7.1.  No Solicitation; No Shopping  . . . . . . . . . .    6
             7.2.  Further Action  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    6


                                      ARTICLE 8
                                    MISCELLANEOUS

             8.1.  Registration Provisions   . . . . . . . . . . . .    6
             8.2.  Additional Agreements   . . . . . . . . . . . . .    6
             8.3.  Specific Performance  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    7
             8.4.  Notices   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    7
             8.5.  Amendments; Termination   . . . . . . . . . . . .    7
             8.6.  Successors and Assigns  . . . . . . . . . . . . .    7
             8.7.  Governing Law   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    8
             8.8.  Counterparts; Effectiveness   . . . . . . . . . .    8




                          SHARING AND CALL OPTION AGREEMENT



                  SHARING AND CALL OPTION AGREEMENT, dated as of December
             13, 1994 among HLR Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation
             ("HLR") and parent of Roche Biomedical Laboratories, Inc., a
             New Jersey corporation ("RBL"), Mafco Holdings Inc., a
             Delaware corporation ("Mafco"), and National Health Care
             Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Stockholder") and
             an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Mafco and, solely
             with respect to Section 8.1 hereof, National Health
             Laboratories Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
             "Company").

                  WHEREAS, HLR, RBL, the Company and Hoffmann-La Roche
             Inc., a New Jersey Corporation propose to enter into an
             Agreement and Plan of Merger of even date herewith (the
             "Merger Agreement") providing for the merger of RBL into and
             with the Company as the surviving corporation (the
             "Merger"); and

                  WHEREAS, Stockholder owns approximately 23.8%of the
             issued and outstanding shares of the Company's common stock,
             $.01 par value, per share (the "Common Stock"); and

                  WHEREAS, in connection with entering into the Merger
             Agreement, HLR, Mafco and Stockholder desire to enter into
             this Agreement setting forth certain rights and obligations
             of the parties with respect to Stockholder's investment in
             the Company;

                  NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and
             the representations, warranties and agreements herein
             contained, the parties agree as follows:


                                      ARTICLE 1
                                     DEFINITIONS

                  SECTION 1.1.   Certain Definitions.  Capitalized terms
             used and not defined herein have the meanings assigned to
             them in the Merger Agreement.  The following terms, as used
             herein, have the following meanings:

                  "Affiliate" means, with respect to any Person, any
             other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled
             by, or under common control with such Person, provided that
             no stockholder of the Company shall be deemed an Affiliate
             of any other stockholder solely by reason of any investment
             in the Company.  For the purpose of this definition, the
             term "control" (including with correlative meanings, the
             terms "controlling", "controlled by" and "under common
             control with"), as used with respect to any Person, shall
             mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to
             direct or cause the direction of the management and policies
             of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting
             securities or by contract or otherwise.

                  "Board" means the board of directors of the Company.

                  "Business Day" means any day except a Saturday, Sunday
             or other day on which commercial banking institutions in New
             York City are authorized by law or executive order to close.

                  "HSR Act" means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
             Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.

                  "NASD" means the National Association of Securities
             Dealers, Inc.

                  "NASDAQ" means the NASD Automated Quotation System.

                  "NASDAQ/NMS" means the NASDAQ-National Market System.

                  "Person" means an individual, corporation, partnership,
             association, trust or other entity or organization,
             including a government or political subdivision or an agency
             or instrumentality thereof.

                  "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as
             amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

                  SECTION 1.2.   Expenses.  All costs and expenses
             incurred in connection with this Agreement shall be paid by
             the party incurring such cost or expense.


                                      ARTICLE 2
                                   SHARING PAYMENTS

                  SECTION 2.1.   Sharing Payments to HLR.  (a)  In the
             event that a termination fee shall have become payable by
             the Company to HLR pursuant to Section 11.4(b) of the Merger
             Agreement and Stockholder sells, transfers, assigns or
             otherwise disposes of (including by conversion or exchange
             in a merger, exchange offer or the like) (any such action
             being a "transfer") any of the Stockholder Shares (as
             defined in Section 2.1(d), Stockholder and Mafco, jointly
             and severally, agree to pay to HLR an amount in cash (a
             "Sharing Payment") equal to the product of (i) the number of
             Stockholder Shares transferred by Stockholder or any of the
             controlled Affiliates of Mafco and (ii) 50% of the excess,
             if any, of (A) the per share cash consideration or the per
             share fair market value, as the case may be, of any non-cash
             consideration received by Stockholder and each such
             controlled Affiliate as a result of such transfer over
             (B) $20.00 (as adjusted to give effect to any stock
             dividend, stock split, recapitalization, combination or
             exchange of shares, merger, consolidation, reorganization or
             other similar change or transaction by the Company).

                  (b)    For purposes of this Section 2.1, the fair
               market value of any non-cash consideration:

                    (i)  consisting of securities listed on a national
               securities exchange or traded on the NASDAQ/NMS shall be
               equal to the average closing price per share of such
               security as reported on such exchange or NASDAQ/NMS for
               the five trading days before the date of disposition by
               Stockholder; and

                   (ii)  consisting of consideration which is other than
               cash or securities of the type specified in clause (i) of
               this Section 2.1, shall be determined by a nationally
               recognized independent investment banking firm (which
               firm shall be mutually agreed upon by the parties) within
               10 Business Days of the selection of such investment
               banking firm; provided, however, that if the parties are
               unable to agree within two Business Days after the date
               of disposition as to the investment banking firm, then
               Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and CS First Boston
               Corporation shall jointly name a third investment banking
               firm; provided further, that the fees and expenses of
               such investment banking firm shall be borne equally by
               HLR, on the one hand, and Stockholder, on the other hand. 
               The determination of the investment banking firm shall be
               binding upon the parties.

                 (c) Any Sharing Payment required to be made pursuant
             to this Section 2.1 shall be made two Business Days
             after the later of (i) the fifth trading day 
             after settlement of any disposition of any
             securities referred to in subsection (b)(i) above for cash
             or (ii) the date on which the investment banking firm
             delivers to the parties its determination of the per share
             value of any non-cash consideration referred to in
             subsection (b)(ii) above received pursuant to any
             disposition, as applicable.

                  (d) The term "Stockholder Shares" as used herein means
             (i) 20,176,729 shares of Common Stock which are
             all of the voting securities of the Company presently 
             beneficially owned or owned of record by Stockholder, 
             Mafco and their respective controlled Affiliates and 
             (ii) any additional shares of Common Stock or
             rights to acquire voting securities of the Company acquired
             by Stockholder, Mafco or any of their respective controlled
             Affiliates (whether by purchase or otherwise) from and after
             the date of this Agreement.


                                      ARTICLE 3
                     VOTING OF STOCKHOLDER SHARES FOR THE MERGER

                  SECTION 3.1.   No Sale of Stockholder Shares Prior to
             Effective Time.  Stockholder shall not transfer any
             Stockholder Shares prior to the Effective Time except if a
             termination fee shall have become payable by the Company to
             HLR pursuant to Section 11.4(b) of the Merger Agreement.

                  SECTION 3.2.   Voting of Stockholder Shares. 
             Stockholder shall be, and Stockholder and Mafco shall cause
             their controlled Affiliates which hold Common Stock to be,
             present in person or by proxy at the NHL Stockholder Meeting
             for the purpose of voting on the adoption of the Merger
             Agreement, and Stockholder and Mafco shall cause all of the
             Stockholder Shares to be voted in favor of the Merger and
             adoption of the Merger Agreement.


                                      ARTICLE 4
                                     CALL RIGHTS

                  SECTION 4.1.   Call Right with Respect to Stockholder
             Shares.  (a)  At any time after the third anniversary of the
             date on which the Effective Time occurs, HLR or an Affiliate
             of HLR (or if such purchase is not permitted pursuant to
             applicable law or by any material agreement to which HLR or
             such Affiliate is bound, a third party nominated by HLR)
             (any such party being a "Purchaser") may exercise the right
             (the "Call Right"), which right may only be exercised once,
             to purchase all, but not less than all, the shares of Common
             Stock then owned by Stockholder, Mafco or any of their
             controlled Affiliates.  If Purchaser intends to exercise the
             Call Right, then, not less than 20 Business Days prior to
             the exercise thereof, Purchaser shall so notify Stockholder
             of such intention to exercise the Call Right, specifying in
             such notice (the "Call Notice") the date of such exercise
             (the "Exercise Date").

                  (b) On the Call Closing Date (as defined in Section 4.2), 
             Purchaser shall pay a price per share for the shares
             to be purchased as specified in the Call Notice, 
             equal to 102% of the average closing price per share of such 
             security as reported on the principal national securities 
             exchange on which such sharesare listed, or if not so listed, 
             as reported on NASDAQ/NMS, for the 30 trading days 
             before the Exercise Date.


                  SECTION 4.2.   Closing with Respect to Exercise of Call
             Right.  The closing (the "Call Closing") of the call
             transaction shall take place at such place as may be agreed
             upon by the parties and on such date as may be set forth in
             a written notice from Purchaser to Stockholder (the "Call
             Closing Date"), but in no event more than 5 Business Days
             after the later of (i) the Exercise Date, and (ii)
             expiration of any applicable HSR Act waiting period or the
             satisfaction of any required regulatory approval.  At the
             Call Closing, Stockholder, Mafco, or any of their controlled
             Affiliates, as the case may be, will convey good, marketable
             and valid title to the shares being purchased free and clear
             of any and all claims, liens, charges, encumbrances and
             security interests.  The parties agree to take all actions
             as may be reasonably required to effect the Call Closing as
             promptly as practicable.

                  SECTION 4.3.   No Sale After Call Notice.   From and
             after the receipt of a Call Notice, neither Stockholder,
             Mafco nor any of their controlled Affiliates shall transfer
             any shares of Common Stock that are owned by Stockholder,
             Mafco or any such controlled Affiliate except during any
             period expiring 15 Business Days prior to the Exercise Date.


                                      ARTICLE 5
                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF STOCKHOLDER

                  Stockholder and Mafco, jointly and severally, represent
             and warrant to HLR that:

                  SECTION 5.1.   Valid Title.  Stockholder is the sole,
             true, lawful and beneficial and record owner of the
             Stockholder Shares with no restrictions on Stockholder's
             voting rights or rights of disposition pertaining thereto
             other than those arising pursuant to bona fide pledge
             arrangements.  None of the Stockholder Shares is subject to
             any voting trust or other agreement (other than this
             Agreement) or arrangement with respect to the voting of such
             Stockholder Shares other than those arising from bona fide
             pledge arrangements.  

                  SECTION 5.2.   Authority; Binding Effect.  Stockholder
             and Mafco have all requisite power and authority to enter
             into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions
             contemplated hereby.  The execution, delivery and
             performance by Stockholder and Mafco of this Agreement and
             the consummation by Stockholder and Mafco of the
             transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized
             by all necessary corporate action by Stockholder and Mafco. 
             This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by
             Stockholder and Mafco and constitutes a valid and binding
             agreement of Stockholder and Mafco.

                  SECTION 5.3.   Governmental Authorization.  The
             execution, delivery and performance by Stockholder and Mafco
             of this Agreement and the consummation by Stockholder and
             Mafco of the transactions contemplated hereby require no
             action by, or filing with, any governmental body, agency,
             official or authority, other than compliance with any
             applicable requirements of the HSR Act.

                  SECTION 5.4.   Non-Contravention.  The execution,
             delivery and performance of this Agreement by Stockholder
             and Mafco do not, and the consummation by Stockholder and
             Mafco of the transactions contemplated hereby do not and
             will not, (i) contravene or conflict with the certificate of
             incorporation or the bylaws of Stockholder and Mafco, (ii)
             assuming compliance with the HSR Act, contravene or conflict
             with or constitute a violation of any provision of any law,
             regulation, judgment, injunction, order or decree binding
             upon or applicable to Stockholder and Mafco, (iii)
             constitute a default under or give rise to a right of
             termination, cancellation or acceleration of any right or
             obligation of Stockholder and Mafco or to a loss of any
             benefit to which Stockholder and Mafco are entitled under
             any provision of any agreement, contract or other instrument
             binding upon Stockholder or Mafco or any license, franchise,
             permit or other similar authorization held by Stockholder or
             Mafco or (iv) result in the creation or imposition of any
             lien on any asset of Stockholder or Mafco.  Notwithstanding
             anything to the contrary in this Section 5.4, it is
             understood that the Stockholder Shares are subject to bona
             fide pledge arrangements, but that Stockholder and Mafco
             will take all actions necessary to enable Stockholder to
             comply with Section 3.2 and Article 4 hereof.


                                      ARTICLE 6
                        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF HLR

                  HLR represents and warrants to Stockholder:

                  SECTION 6.1.   Corporate Power and Authority.  HLR has
             all requisite corporate power and authority to enter into
             this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder. 
             The execution, delivery and performance by HLR of this
             Agreement and the consummation by HLR of the transactions
             contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all
             necessary action, if any, of HLR.  This Agreement has been
             duly executed and delivered by HLR and constitutes a valid
             and binding agreement of HLR.

                  SECTION 6.2.   Acquisition for HLR's Account.  Any
             shares of Common Stock to be acquired pursuant to the Call
             Rights set forth in Article 4 will be acquired by HLR for
             its own account and not with a view to the public
             distribution thereof and will not be transferred except in
             compliance with the Securities Act.  If required by
             applicable law, in the written opinion of outside legal
             counsel to the Company (which opinion shall be) satisfactory
             to HLR, any shares of Common Stock transferred hereunder may
             bear a legend providing that such shares of Common Stock may
             only be sold or otherwise disposed of in accordance with
             such Act.


                                      ARTICLE 7
                               COVENANTS OF STOCKHOLDER

                  SECTION 7.1.   No Solicitation; No Shopping. 
             Stockholder and Mafco shall comply with, and be bound by,
             the restrictions set forth in Section 5.4(a) of the Merger
             Agreement as if such restrictions were fully set forth in
             this Agreement.

                  SECTION 7.2.   Further Action.  Stockholder and Mafco
             will take all actions necessary to enable each of them and
             their Affiliates to comply with Section 3.2 and Article 4
             hereof.


                                      ARTICLE 8
                                    MISCELLANEOUS

                  SECTION 8.1.   Registration Provisions.  The Company
             shall use its best efforts to cause the Registration
             Statement (as defined in the Merger Agreement) to include a
             resale prospectus that would permit Stockholder (or any
             pledgee of the Merger Shares under a bona fide pledge
             arrangement with Stockholder) to sell shares of Common Stock
             received by Stockholder in the Merger (the "Merger Shares")
             without restriction and, after the filing of the
             Registration Statement, shall use its best efforts to
             prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-
             effective amendments to the Registration Statement as may be
             necessary to keep such Registration Statement continuously
             effective for a period ending on the third anniversary of
             the date hereof and during such period shall use its best
             efforts to cause the resale prospectus to be supplemented by
             any required prospectus supplement.  In addition, the
             registration procedures set forth in Sections 6.6 through
             6.11 as set forth in the form of the Stockholder Agreement
             between HLR Holdings Inc. and the Company attached as an
             Exhibit to the Merger Agreement (the "Stockholder
             Agreement") (including, without limitation, the provisions
             with respect to filings, blue sky qualification, amendments,
             due diligence, indemnification and contribution) for the
             benefit of Investor (as defined therein) shall be deemed
             incorporated herein, as applicable, for the benefit of
             Stockholder as if fully set forth in this place (with all
             references to the "Investor" therein being deemed to be
             references to Stockholder or the pledgee of any Merger
             Shares referred to above, as the case may be) and in
             connection with the registration referred to above, the
             Company shall pay the applicable Registration Expenses (as
             defined in the Stockholder Agreement).

                  SECTION 8.2.   Additional Agreements.  Subject to the
             terms and conditions of this Agreement, each of the parties
             hereto agrees to use all reasonable efforts to take, or
             cause to be taken, all action and to do, or cause to be
             done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under
             applicable laws and regulations and which may be required
             under any agreements, contracts, commitments, instruments,
             understandings, arrangements or restrictions of any kind to
             which such party is a party or by which such party is
             governed or bound, to enable HLR to exercise and enjoy all
             the benefits and rights associated with the Call Option and
             the Sharing Payment and otherwise to consummate and make
             effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
             to obtain all necessary waivers, consents and approvals and
             effect all necessary registrations and filings, including,
             but not limited to, filings under the HSR Act, responses to
             requests for additional information related to such filings,
             and submission of information requested by governmental
             authorities, and to rectify any event or circumstances which
             could impede consummation of the transactions contemplated
             hereby.

                  SECTION 8.3.   Specific Performance.  (a)  The parties
             hereto agree that HLR would be irreparably damaged if for
             any reason Stockholder, Mafco or their Affiliates, as the
             case may be, failed to sell the shares of Common Stock upon
             exercise of the Call Option, or to perform any of its other
             obligations under this Agreement, and that HLR would not
             have an adequate remedy at law for money damages in such
             event.  Accordingly, HLR shall be entitled to specific
             performance and injunctive and other equitable relief to
             enforce the performance of this Agreement by Stockholder and
             Mafco.  This provision is without prejudice to any other
             rights that HLR may have against Stockholder or Mafco for
             any failure to perform their respective obligations under
             this Agreement.  

                  (b)  The parties hereto also agree that Stockholder
             would be irreparably damaged if for any reason the Company
             failed to perform in full its obligations as set forth in
             Section 8.1 hereof, and that Stockholder would not have any
             adequate remedy at law or for money damages in such event. 
             Accordingly, Stockholder shall be entitled to specific
             performance and injunctive and other equitable relief to
             enforce the performance of this Agreement by the Company. 
             This provision is without prejudice to any other rights that
             Stockholder may have against the Company for any failure to
             perform its obligations under this Agreement.

                  SECTION 8.4.   Notices.  All notices, requests, claims,
             demands and other communications hereunder shall be deemed
             to have been duly given when delivered in Person, by cable,
             telegram or telex, or by registered or certified mail
             (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to such party at
             its address set forth on the signature page hereto.

                  SECTION 8.5.   Amendments; Termination.  This Agreement
             may not be modified, amended, altered or supplemented,
             except upon the execution and delivery of a written
             agreement executed by the parties hereto.  This Agreement
             shall terminate upon the earliest to occur of (i) the date
             on which Stockholder, Mafco and their Affiliates own no
             shares of Common Stock except with respect to the obligation
             to make any Sharing Payment which has become due as a result
             of any transfer of shares of Common Stock (provided that
             such shares have not been transferred in violation of this
             Agreement) or (ii) the effective date of any termination of
             the Merger Agreement pursuant to Section 10.1(a), (b), (c),
             (e), or (g) thereof.  Article 8 of this Agreement shall
             terminate when Stockholder, Mafco and their respective
             controlled Affiliates shall own no shares of Common Stock
             that are subject to the registration requirements of the
             Securities Act.  Article 2 of this Agreement shall terminate
             180 days after the effective date of any termination of the
             Merger Agreement pursuant to Section 10.1(d) or (f) thereof
             except with respect to the obligation to make any Sharing
             Payment which has become due as a result of any transfer of
             shares of Common Stock.

                  SECTION 8.6.   Successors and Assigns.  The provisions
             of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
             benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
             successors and assigns; provided that no party may assign,
             delegate or otherwise transfer any of its rights or
             obligations under this Agreement without the consent of the
             other parties hereto, except that HLR may assign its rights
             and obligations hereunder to any Affiliate of HLR or
             pursuant to Article 4 to a third party.  Any Affiliate of
             Stockholder or Mafco who acquires shares of Common Stock
             shall become a party to and be bound by this Agreement.

                  SECTION 8.7.   Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be
             construed in accordance with and governed by the law of
             Delaware without giving effect to the principles of
             conflicts of laws thereof.

                  SECTION 8.8.   Counterparts; Effectiveness.  This
             Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each
             of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if
             the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same
             instrument.  This Agreement shall become effective when each
             party hereto shall have received counterparts hereof signed
             by all of the other parties hereto.



                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
             Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first
             above written.




                                        HLR HOLDINGS INC.
                                           
                                             /s/ Bradford T. Smith        
                                             ----------------------
             1403 Foulk Road, Suite 102      Name: Bradford T. Smith
             P.O. Box 8985                   Title: Assistant Secretary
             Wilmington, DE 19899



                                        MAFCO HOLDINGS INC.

                                             /s/ Joram Salig               
                                             ----------------
             35 East 62nd Street             Name: Joram Salig
             New York, NY 10021              Title: Vice President



                                        NATIONAL HEALTH CARE GROUP, INC.

                                             /s/ Howard F. Gordon          
                                             ----------------------
             Cypress Financial Center        Name: Howard F. Gordon
             5900 North Andrews Avenue       Title: Vice President
             Suite 700A
             Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309

                                        NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES
                                        HOLDINGS INC.

                                             /s/ James R. Maher         
                                             -------------------
             4225 Executive Square           Name:James R. Maher
             Suite 800                       Title: President and Chief
             La Jolla, CA 92037                     Executive Officer





          Exhibit 21.1

                      National Health Laboratories Holdings Inc.
                               Listing of Subsidiaries
                                  December 31, 1994 
          -----------------------------------------------------------------

                       Subsidiary                  State of Incorporation
          -------------------------------------- --------------------------

               Intermediate Holdings Corp. I           Delaware
               
               Intermediate Holdings Corp. II          Delaware
               
               National Health Laboratories            Delaware
               
               La Jolla Management Corp.               Delaware
               
               Quality Assurance Group, Inc.           Delaware
               
               Executive Tower Travel Inc.             Delaware
               
               Allied Clinical Laboratories, Inc. 
                     A Delaware Corporation            Delaware
               
               Allied Clinical Laboratories, Inc. 
                     An Oregon Corporation             Oregon





                      National Health Laboratories Holdings Inc.
                  Names under which the Registrant conducts business
          -----------------------------------------------------------------

             NHL Intermediate Holdings Corporation I
             NHL Intermediate Holdings Corporation II
             National Health Laboratories Incorporated
             La Jolla Management Corporation
             Quality Assurance Group, Inc.
             Executive Tower Travel Inc.
             Allied Clinical Laboratories, Inc.   A Delaware Corporation
             Allied Clinical Laboratories, Inc.   An Oregon Corporation
             Sierra Nevada Laboratories, Inc.
             Physicians Clinical Laboratories, Inc.
             Plaza Diagnostic Services, Inc.
             Fulton Medical Laboratory
             Hollywood Diagnostics Laboratory
             Coast Clinical Laboratories, Inc.
             Coast Medical Laboratories, Inc.
             Professional Corporations Laboratory, Ltd.
             Southern Medical Lab, Inc.
             Hoyle-Passon Laboratories, Inc.
             Cranston Medical Laboratory, Inc.
             Austin Pathology Clinical Laboratories, Inc.
             Garden City Medical Laboratory, Inc.
             Barrington Medical Laboratory, Inc.
             Spectrum Medical Service, Inc.
             Zeoli Medical Laboratory, Inc.
             Brown & Associates Medical Laboratories
             Physicians' Medical Lab Limited Partnership
             Associated Medical Services, Inc.
             Whatcom Pathology Laboratory and Blood Bank P.S.
             Lititiz/Community Laboratory Services
             Acculab Medical Laboratories, Inc., dba NDA Laboratories
             Park Medical Laboratory, Inc.
             Prineville Medical Clinic
             Hackensack Clinical Laboratory, Inc.
             Pathlabs, Inc.
             CenPath Laboratory, Inc.
             Clinpath, Inc. (South Tulsa Pathology Laboratory, Inc.)
             Pathex Laboratories, Inc.
             Pacific Clinical Laboratories, Inc.
             Lab Plus, Inc. (Lab Plus X-Ray)





                      National Health Laboratories Holdings Inc.
                  Names under which the Registrant conducts business
              ------------------------------------------------------------

               Omni Lab Inc.
               Delano Medical Arts Pharmacy, Inc. dba California Medical
               Laboratory, Inc.
               Medical Arts Laboratory, Inc.
               Quantum Laboratories, Inc.
               Accutech Medical Laboratories, Inc.
               Saddleback Medical Laboratory, a California Limited
               Partnership
               Allied Clinical Laboratories, Inc.
               MML Health Services, Inc.
               Laboratory Sciences International, Ltd.
               Physicians Clinical Laboratories
               Colorado Clinical Laboratories, Inc.
               Eastside Medical Laboratory, Inc.
               AO Northwest, Inc.
               Professional Diagnostic Laboratory, Inc.
               Biomedical Laboratories of Waterbury, Inc.
               Madison Clinical Laboratory, Ltd.
               Stroink Pathology Laboratories, Inc.
EXHIBIT 23.1





                  Independent Auditors' Consent
                  -----------------------------



The Board of Directors
National Health Laboratories Holdings Inc.:

We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration
statements (No. 33-29182 and No. 33-43006) as amended, and
registration statement (No. 33-55065) on Form S-8 of National
Health Laboratories Holdings Inc. of our report dated February 13,
1995, relating to the consolidated balance sheets of National Health
Laboratories Holdings Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1994
and 1993, and the related consolidated statements of earnings,
stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1994, and the related schedule,
which report appears in the December 31, 1994 annual report on Form
10-K of National Health Laboratories Holdings Inc.



                              KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

San Diego, California
March 1, 1995












EXHIBIT 24.1

                     POWER OF ATTORNEY
                     -----------------

          KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the under-
signed hereby constitutes and appoints each of David C.
Flaugh, James G. Richmond and Joram C. Salig or any of
them, each acting alone, his true and lawful attorney-in-
fact and agent, with full power of substitution, for him
and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capaci-
ties, in connection with the National Health Laboratories
Holdings Inc. (the "Corporation") Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1994 under the Securities Exchange 
Act of 1934, as amended, including, without limiting the gener-
ality of the foregoing, to sign the Form 10-K in the name
and on behalf of the Corporation or on behalf of the under-
signed as a director or officer of the Corporation, and any
amendments to the Form 10-K and any instrument, contract,
document or other writing, of or in connection with the
Form 10-K or amendments thereto, and to file the same, with
all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection
therewith, including this power of attorney, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and any applicable secu-
rities exchange or securities self-regulatory body, grant-
ing unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting
alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purpos-
es as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each
acting alone, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawful-
ly do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed
these presents this 23rd day of February, 1995.



                              By:/s/ RONALD O. PERELMAN   
                                 ----------------------
                                     Ronald O. Perelman



EXHIBIT 24.2

                     POWER OF ATTORNEY
                     -----------------

          KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the under-
signed hereby constitutes and appoints each of David C.
Flaugh, James G. Richmond and Joram C. Salig or any of
them, each acting alone, his true and lawful attorney-in-
fact and agent, with full power of substitution, for him
and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capaci-
ties, in connection with the National Health Laboratories
Holdings Inc. (the "Corporation") Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1994 under the Securities Exchange 
Act of 1934, as amended, including, without limiting the gener-
ality of the foregoing, to sign the Form 10-K in the name
and on behalf of the Corporation or on behalf of the under-
signed as a director or officer of the Corporation, and any
amendments to the Form 10-K and any instrument, contract,
document or other writing, of or in connection with the
Form 10-K or amendments thereto, and to file the same, with
all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection
therewith, including this power of attorney, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and any applicable secu-
rities exchange or securities self-regulatory body, grant-
ing unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting
alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purpos-
es as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each
acting alone, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawful-
ly do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed
these presents this 23rd day of February, 1995.



                              By:/s/ JAMES R. MAHER        
                                 ------------------
                                     James R. Maher



EXHIBIT 24.3

                      POWER OF ATTORNEY
                      -----------------

          KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the under-
signed hereby constitutes and appoints each of David C.
Flaugh, James G. Richmond and Joram C. Salig or any of
them, each acting alone, his true and lawful attorney-in-
fact and agent, with full power of substitution, for him
and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capaci-
ties, in connection with the National Health Laboratories
Holdings Inc. (the "Corporation") Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1994 under the Securities Exchange 
Act of 1934, as amended, including, without limiting the gener-
ality of the foregoing, to sign the Form 10-K in the name
and on behalf of the Corporation or on behalf of the under-
signed as a director or officer of the Corporation, and any
amendments to the Form 10-K and any instrument, contract,
document or other writing, of or in connection with the
Form 10-K or amendments thereto, and to file the same, with
all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection
therewith, including this power of attorney, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and any applicable secu-
rities exchange or securities self-regulatory body, grant-
ing unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting
alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purpos-
es as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each
acting alone, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawful-
ly do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed
these presents this 23rd day of February, 1995.




                              By:/s/ SAUL J. FARBER, M.D.  
                                 ------------------------
                                     Saul J. Farber, M.D. 



EXHIBIT 24.4

                      POWER OF ATTORNEY
                      -----------------

          KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the under-
signed hereby constitutes and appoints each of David C.
Flaugh, James G. Richmond and Joram C. Salig or any of
them, each acting alone, his true and lawful attorney-in-
fact and agent, with full power of substitution, for him
and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capaci-
ties, in connection with the National Health Laboratories
Holdings Inc. (the "Corporation") Annual Report on Form 10-K 
for the year ended December 31, 1994 under the Securities Exchange 
Act of 1934, as amended, including, without limiting the gener-
ality of the foregoing, to sign the Form 10-K in the name
and on behalf of the Corporation or on behalf of the under-
signed as a director or officer of the Corporation, and any
amendments to the Form 10-K and any instrument, contract,
document or other writing, of or in connection with the
Form 10-K or amendments thereto, and to file the same, with
all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection
therewith, including this power of attorney, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and any applicable secu-
rities exchange or securities self-regulatory body, grant-
ing unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting
alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purpos-
es as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each
acting alone, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawful-
ly do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed
these presents this 23rd day of February, 1995.




                              By:/s/ HOWARD GITTIS         
                                 -----------------
                                     Howard Gittis     



EXHIBIT 24.5

                      POWER OF ATTORNEY
                      -----------------

          KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the under-
signed hereby constitutes and appoints each of David C.
Flaugh, James G. Richmond and Joram C. Salig or any of
them, each acting alone, his true and lawful attorney-in-
fact and agent, with full power of substitution, for him
and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capaci-
ties, in connection with the National Health Laboratories
Holdings Inc. (the "Corporation") Annual Report on Form 10-K 
for the year ended December 31, 1994 under the Securities Exchange 
Act of 1934, as amended, including, without limiting the gener-
ality of the foregoing, to sign the Form 10-K in the name
and on behalf of the Corporation or on behalf of the under-
signed as a director or officer of the Corporation, and any
amendments to the Form 10-K and any instrument, contract,
document or other writing, of or in connection with the
Form 10-K or amendments thereto, and to file the same, with
all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection
therewith, including this power of attorney, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and any applicable secu-
rities exchange or securities self-regulatory body, grant-
ing unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting
alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purpos-
es as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each
acting alone, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawful-
ly do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed
these presents this 20th day of February, 1995.



                              By:/s/ ANN DIBBLE JORDAN     
                                 ---------------------
                                     Ann Dibble Jordan 



EXHIBIT 24.6

                      POWER OF ATTORNEY
                      -----------------

          KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the under-
signed hereby constitutes and appoints each of David C.
Flaugh, James G. Richmond and Joram C. Salig or any of
them, each acting alone, his true and lawful attorney-in-
fact and agent, with full power of substitution, for him
and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capaci-
ties, in connection with the National Health Laboratories
Holdings Inc. (the "Corporation") Annual Report on Form 10-K 
for the year ended December 31, 1994 under the Securities Exchange 
Act of 1934, as amended, including, without limiting the gener-
ality of the foregoing, to sign the Form 10-K in the name
and on behalf of the Corporation or on behalf of the under-
signed as a director or officer of the Corporation, and any
amendments to the Form 10-K and any instrument, contract,
document or other writing, of or in connection with the
Form 10-K or amendments thereto, and to file the same, with
all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection
therewith, including this power of attorney, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and any applicable secu-
rities exchange or securities self-regulatory body, grant-
ing unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting
alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purpos-
es as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each
acting alone, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawful-
ly do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed
these presents this 21st day of February, 1995.



                              By:/s/ DAVID J. MAHONEY     
                                 --------------------
                                     David J. Mahoney

  

EXHIBIT 24.7

                      POWER OF ATTORNEY
                      -----------------

          KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the under-
signed hereby constitutes and appoints each of David C.
Flaugh, James G. Richmond and Joram C. Salig or any of
them, each acting alone, his true and lawful attorney-in-
fact and agent, with full power of substitution, for him
and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capaci-
ties, in connection with the National Health Laboratories
Holdings Inc. (the "Corporation") Annual Report on Form 10-K 
for the year ended December 31, 1994 under the Securities Exchange 
Act of 1934, as amended, including, without limiting the gener-
ality of the foregoing, to sign the Form 10-K in the name
and on behalf of the Corporation or on behalf of the under-
signed as a director or officer of the Corporation, and any
amendments to the Form 10-K and any instrument, contract,
document or other writing, of or in connection with the
Form 10-K or amendments thereto, and to file the same, with
all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection
therewith, including this power of attorney, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and any applicable secu-
rities exchange or securities self-regulatory body, grant-
ing unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting
alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purpos-
es as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each
acting alone, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawful-
ly do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed
these presents this 23rd day of February, 1995.



                              By:/s/ PAUL A. MARKS, M.D.   
                                 -----------------------
                                     Paul A. Marks, M.D.



EXHIBIT 24.8

                      POWER OF ATTORNEY
                      -----------------

          KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the under-
signed hereby constitutes and appoints each of David C.
Flaugh, James G. Richmond and Joram C. Salig or any of
them, each acting alone, his true and lawful attorney-in-
fact and agent, with full power of substitution, for him
and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capaci-
ties, in connection with the National Health Laboratories
Holdings Inc. (the "Corporation") Annual Report on Form 10-K 
for the year ended December 31, 1994 under the Securities Exchange 
Act of 1934, as amended, including, without limiting the gener-
ality of the foregoing, to sign the Form 10-K in the name
and on behalf of the Corporation or on behalf of the under-
signed as a director or officer of the Corporation, and any
amendments to the Form 10-K and any instrument, contract,
document or other writing, of or in connection with the
Form 10-K or amendments thereto, and to file the same, with
all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection
therewith, including this power of attorney, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and any applicable secu-
rities exchange or securities self-regulatory body, grant-
ing unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting
alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purpos-
es as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each
acting alone, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawful-
ly do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed
these presents this 23rd day of February, 1995.



                              By:/s/ LINDA GOSDEN ROBINSON 
                                 -------------------------
                                     Linda Gosden Robinson



EXHIBIT 24.9

                      POWER OF ATTORNEY
                      -----------------

          KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the under-
signed hereby constitutes and appoints each of David C.
Flaugh, James G. Richmond and Joram C. Salig or any of
them, each acting alone, his true and lawful attorney-in-
fact and agent, with full power of substitution, for him
and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capaci-
ties, in connection with the National Health Laboratories
Holdings Inc. (the "Corporation") Annual Report on Form 10-K 
for the year ended December 31, 1994 under the Securities Exchange 
Act of 1934, as amended, including, without limiting the gener-
ality of the foregoing, to sign the Form 10-K in the name
and on behalf of the Corporation or on behalf of the under-
signed as a director or officer of the Corporation, and any
amendments to the Form 10-K and any instrument, contract,
document or other writing, of or in connection with the
Form 10-K or amendments thereto, and to file the same, with
all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection
therewith, including this power of attorney, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and any applicable secu-
rities exchange or securities self-regulatory body, grant-
ing unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting
alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purpos-
es as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each
acting alone, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawful-
ly do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed
these presents this 9th day of February, 1995.



                              By:/s/ SAMUEL O. THIER, M.D. 
                                 -------------------------
                                     Samuel O. Thier, M.D.



EXHIBIT 24.10

                      POWER OF ATTORNEY
                      -----------------

          KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the under-
signed hereby constitutes and appoints each of David C.
Flaugh, James G. Richmond and Joram C. Salig or any of
them, each acting alone, his true and lawful attorney-in-
fact and agent, with full power of substitution, for him
and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capaci-
ties, in connection with the National Health Laboratories
Holdings Inc. (the "Corporation") Annual Report on Form 10-K 
for the year ended December 31, 1994 under the Securities Exchange 
Act of 1934, as amended, including, without limiting the gener-
ality of the foregoing, to sign the Form 10-K in the name
and on behalf of the Corporation or on behalf of the under-
signed as a director or officer of the Corporation, and any
amendments to the Form 10-K and any instrument, contract,
document or other writing, of or in connection with the
Form 10-K or amendments thereto, and to file the same, with
all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection
therewith, including this power of attorney, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and any applicable secu-
rities exchange or securities self-regulatory body, grant-
ing unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting
alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purpos-
es as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each
acting alone, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawful-
ly do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed
these presents this 3rd day of March, 1995.




                              By:/s/ DAVID C. FLAUGH       
                                 -------------------
                                     David C. Flaugh



 

5 THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS AND STATEMENT OF EARNINGS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 0000920148 NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 1000 YEAR DEC-31-1994 DEC-31-1994 26,800 0 221,400 16,000 20,100 293,000 233,100 93,000 1,012,700 202,800 563,800 800 0 0 165,200 1,012,700 872,500 872,500 597,000 597,000 186,600 0 34,500 55,400 25,300 30,100 0 0 0 30,100 .36 .36