COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.

              Certificate of Voting Powers, Designations,
               Preferences, and Relative, Participating,
                  Optional or Other Special Rights of
               Series A 1999 Convertible Preferred Stock
           and Series B 1999 Non-Convertible Preferred Stock

     We, M. Jay Allison,  President, and Roland O. Burns, Secretary, of Comstock
Resources,  Inc. (the "Company"), a corporation organized and existing under the
General  Corporation  Law of  the  State  of  Nevada,  in  accordance  with  the
provisions of Section 78.195 of the Nevada Revised Statutes  thereof,  DO HEREBY
CERTIFY:

     That,  pursuant to authority  conferred  upon the Board of Directors by the
Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company, said Board of Directors, at a
meeting of the Board of Directors held pursuant to the General  Corporation  Law
of the State of Nevada, duly adopted a resolution  providing for the issuance of
Three Million  (3,000,000)  shares of a new series of preferred stock designated
as Series A 1999 Convertible  Preferred Stock and One Million Fifty One Thousand
Nine Hundred  Ninety-Nine  (1,051,999) shares of a new series of preferred stock
designated as Series B 1999 Non-Convertible Preferred Stock, which resolution is
as follows:

     RESOLVED,  that pursuant to the Restated  Articles of  Incorporation of the
Company,  there be and hereby is  authorized  and created a series of  preferred
stock,  to consist of Three Million  (3,000,000)  shares with a par value of Ten
Dollars   ($10.00)  per  share  and  that  the  voting   powers,   designations,
preferences,  and relative,  participating,  optional or other special rights of
the Series A 1999  Convertible  Preferred  Stock (the  "Series A 1999  Preferred
Stock")  and a series of  preferred  stock to consist of One  Million  Fifty One
Thousand  Nine Hundred  Ninety-Nine  (1,051,999)  shares with a par value of Ten
Dollars ($10.00) per share and that the voting powers, designations, preferences
and relative,  participating,  optional or other special  rights of the Series B
1999  Non-Convertible  Preferred Stock (the "Series B 1999 Preferred  Stock" and
together  with the Series A 1999  Preferred  Stock,  the "Series 1999  Preferred
Stock")  and the  qualifications,  limitations  or  restrictions  thereof  be as
follows:

     1.  Certain  Definitions.  The  following  terms  shall have the  following
meanings:

          "5-Day Average  Price" per share of Common Stock,  for purposes of any
provision herein at the date specified in such provision, shall mean the average
closing price of the Common Stock on the  securities  exchange or other national
market  system on which the Common  Stock is then listed over the 5- trading day
period immediately prior to such date.

          "30-Day Average Price" per share of Common Stock,  for purposes of any
provision herein at the date specified in such provision, shall mean the average
closing price of the Common Stock on the  securities  exchange or other national
market  system on which the Common Stock is then listed over the 30- trading day
period immediately prior to such date.

          "1991  Long-Term   Incentive  Plan"  shall  mean  the  Company's  1991
Long-Term  Incentive Plan, as in effect on the Closing Date and as such plan may
be amended  from time to time with the consent of the holders of the Series 1999
Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 6.5(e) hereof.

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          "1999  Long-Term   Incentive  Plan"  shall  mean  the  Company's  1999
Long-Term  Incentive  Plan, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A and as such
plan may be amended  from time to time with the  consent  of the  holders of the
Series 1999 Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 6.5(e) hereof.

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

          "Actual  Directors"  shall have the  meaning  set forth in Section 6.2
below.

          "Additional  Shares of  Nonpreferred  Stock"  shall mean all shares of
Nonpreferred  Stock issued by the Company  after the Closing Date other than (i)
the shares of Common Stock issued to a holder of the Series 1999 Preferred Stock
upon  conversion  or redemption  of, or dividends on, the Series 1999  Preferred
Stock,  (ii) any  issuance  of Common  Stock or rights or  warrants  to purchase
Common Stock at the then market price  pursuant to the Company's  1991 Long-Term
Incentive  Plan  provided  that such plan will not provide  for the  issuance of
options,  rights,  warrants  or grants in excess of  4,119,130  shares of Common
Stock (and  counting as a portion of such shares the 3,890,500  shares  reserved
for issuance for outstanding  options granted under the 1991 Long-Term Incentive
Plan as of the  Closing  Date as shown on  Attachment  1  hereto)  plus,  if the
Company's  1999  Long-Term  Incentive  Plan  is not  approved  by the  Company's
shareholders,  a number of shares  equal to ten  percent  (10%) of the number of
shares of Common Stock issued  after the Closing  Date  (excluding  Common Stock
issued upon conversion or redemption of the Series 1999 Preferred Stock),  (iii)
if approved  by the  Company's  shareholders,  any  issuance of Common  Stock or
rights or warrants to purchase  Common  Stock at the then  current  market price
pursuant to the 1999 Long- Term  Incentive Plan provided that such plan will not
provide for the  issuance of  options,  rights,  warrants or grants in excess of
1,255,000  shares of Common  Stock  plus a number of shares of Common  Stock per
year commencing  January 1, 2000 equal to the sum of (x) one percent (1%) of the
outstanding  number of shares of Common  Stock  issued and (y) 50,000  shares of
Common Stock issuable to non-employee directors, (iv) any shares of Common Stock
issued at then current market prices in payment of the annual  retainers paid to
members of the Board of  Directors of the Company if not  otherwise  included in
the 1999 Long-Term  Incentive Plan,  provided that such annual  retainers do not
exceed a value or amount of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) in the
aggregate per year, (v) up to 5,111,030  shares of Common Stock issued  pursuant
to the options and warrants  outstanding  on the Closing Date (and counting as a
portion  of  such  shares  the  3,890,500   shares  reserved  for  issuance  for
outstanding  options  granted under the 1991 Long-Term  Incentive Plan as of the
Closing  Date) as shown on  Attachment 1 hereto,  and (vi) the issuance of up to
500,000  shares of Common Stock after the Closing Date at a price per share less
than the Conversion Price.

          "Applicable IRR Amount" means, for purposes of any provision herein at
the date  specified  in such  provision,  that amount  which,  when added to the
amount of all  dividend  payments  received  by the  holders of the Series  1999
Preferred Stock  (including  dividends the Cash Equivalent  Amount of which were
paid in the form of Freely  Tradeable  Common  Stock)  through such date,  would
result  in such  holders  receiving  a  thirty  five  percent  (35%)  cumulative
cash-on-cash  internal rate of return,  compounded  quarterly,  on such holders'
initial  investment of Ten Dollars  ($10.00) per share of Series 1999  Preferred
Stock.

          "Available Director Seats" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
6.2 below.

          "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday,  a Sunday, any day
on which the New York Stock Exchange is closed or any other day on which banking
institutions  in New York or California  are authorized or required by law to be
closed.

          "Cash Equivalent  Amount" means, with respect to any cash amount which
may be  paid  to the  holders  of the  Series  1999  Preferred  Stock  by way of
dividend,  redemption or other  distribution,  the number of shares (or fraction
thereof) of Freely  Tradeable  Common  Stock equal in value to such cash amount.
For purposes of determining  the Cash  Equivalent  Amount,  the shares of Freely



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Tradeable  Common  Stock  shall be  valued at eighty  two and  one-half  percent
(82.5%)  multiplied  by the lower of (i) the 30-Day  Average Price of the Common
Stock or (ii) the 5-Day Average Price of the Common Stock; provided, that if the
Cash  Equivalent  Amount cannot be ascertained by such methods,  then the Freely
Tradeable  Common  Stock  shall be  valued at eighty  two and  one-half  percent
(82.5%)  multiplied  by the lower of (i) the net book  value per share of Common
Stock,  determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting  principles,
or (ii) the fair  value per share of Common  Stock  determined  pursuant  to the
Valuation  Procedure.  The Cash Equivalent  Amount shall be determined as of the
date  immediately  prior to the date of issuance  of any such  Freely  Tradeable
Common Stock.

          "Change of Control" shall mean (i) the  acquisition by any Person,  or
two or more  Persons  acting in concert,  of  beneficial  ownership  (within the
meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the  Commission  under the  Securities  Exchange Act of
1934, as amended) of more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding  shares of
voting  stock of the Company or (ii) that the Board of  Directors of the Company
shall not consist of a majority of Continuing Directors of the Company.

          "Closing  Date" means the date of the closing of the first sale of the
Series 1999 Preferred Stock.

          "Commission" shall mean the Securities and Exchange  Commission or any
other similar or successor agency of the federal  government  administering  the
Act.

          "Common  Stock" shall mean the common stock of the Company,  par value
$0.50 per share.

          "Continuing  Directors" of the Company shall mean the directors of the
Company as of the  Closing  Date and each other  director of the Company if such
other  director's  nomination  for  election  to the Board of  Directors  of the
Company is  recommended  by a majority of the then  Continuing  Directors of the
Company.

          "Conversion  Price" shall  initially be Four Dollars ($4.00) and shall
be adjusted and readjusted from time to time as provided in Section 8 below.

          "Convertible Securities" shall mean evidences of indebtedness,  shares
of stock or other  securities  which are convertible  into or  exchangeable  for
Additional Shares of Nonpreferred  Stock, either immediately or upon the arrival
of a specified date or the happening of a specified event.

          "Events of  Noncompliance"  shall mean each of the events specified in
Sections 6 and 7 below.

          "Fair  Market  Price" per share of Common  Stock,  for purposes of any
provision herein at the date specified in such provision, shall mean the greater
of (i) the 30-Day  Average  Price of the Common Stock or (ii) the 5-Day  Average
Price of the Common Stock; provided,  that if the Fair Market Price per share of
Common Stock cannot be ascertained  by such methods,  then the Fair Market Price
per share of Common  Stock shall be deemed to be the greater of (i) the net book
value  per  share of Common  Stock,  determined  in  accordance  with  generally
accepted accounting principles, or (ii) the fair value per share of Common Stock
determined pursuant to the Valuation Procedure.

          "Freely  Tradeable Common Stock" shall mean Common Stock (i) for which
a  registration  statement  with  respect to the sale of such Common Stock shall
have become and shall remain  continuously  effective  under the Act and listing
application  shall have been made,  in each case  permitting  all of such Common
Stock to be  disposed  of from  time to time in  transactions  on the  principal
exchange or market where such Common Stock is publicly traded or in a registered


                                       E-4




transaction or (ii) which may be distributed  immediately to the public pursuant
to Rule 144 (or any successor  provision) under the Act without the need to meet
any holding period requirement pursuant to such rule; provided that in each case
the Common Stock is represented by certificates not bearing a legend restricting
transfer and the disposition of which Common Stock does not require registration
or qualification under the Act or any state securities laws then in force.

          "Junior Stock" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2 below.

          "Liquidation  Amount" means Ten Dollars ($10.00),  plus a sum equal to
all accumulated but unpaid dividends and interest  thereon,  if any, through the
date of any determination thereof, per share of Series 1999 Preferred Stock.

          "Nonpreferred  Stock"  shall  mean the  Common  Stock and  shall  also
include  stock of the Company of any other class  which is not  preferred  as to
dividends  or assets  over any other  class of stock of the Company and which is
not subject to redemption.

          "Person" shall include an individual, a corporation, an association, a
partnership,  a trust  or  estate,  a joint  stock  company,  an  unincorporated
organization,  a  limited  liability  company,  a joint  venture,  a  government
(foreign or domestic),  and any agency or political  subdivision thereof, or any
other entity.

          "Valuation  Procedure"  shall  have the  meaning  set forth in Section
8.3(b) below.

     2. Ranking of the Series 1999 Preferred  Stock. The Series A 1999 Preferred
Stock and the Series B 1999 Preferred  Stock shall be pari passu with respect to
the right to receive  dividends or assets upon the  liquidation,  dissolution or
winding up of the Company.  So long as any shares of Series 1999 Preferred Stock
shall be  outstanding,  the Series 1999  Preferred  Stock shall rank senior with
respect  to  the  right  to  receive   dividends  or  assets  upon  liquidation,
dissolution  or winding up of the  Company to the Common  Stock and to all other
series of  preferred  stock or classes or series of capital  stock  hereafter or
heretofore  established  by the Board of  Directors  (collectively,  the "Junior
Stock").

     3. Dividends; Restricted Payments.

          3.1.  Dividend Payment Dates. The holders of the Series 1999 Preferred
Stock  shall be  entitled  to receive  when,  as and if declared by the Board of
Directors out of funds legally  available for the purpose,  cumulative  dividend
payments, payable quarterly in accordance with this Section 3, on March 31, June
30,  September 30 and December 31 of each year  commencing on June 30, 1999, or,
in the event that any such date is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding
Business  Day before such date.  Dividends  on the Series 1999  Preferred  Stock
shall be cumulative from the date of original issue of the Series 1999 Preferred
Stock.  Accumulations of dividends shall bear interest at a rate of nine percent
(9%) per annum,  compounded  quarterly,  which  interest shall be deemed accrued
dividends  payable  in the same  manner  and at the same time as  dividends  and
redemptions shall be paid on the Series 1999 Preferred Stock.

          3.2.  Form of Payment.  Dividends on the Series 1999  Preferred  Stock
may, at the option of the Company, be paid:

                    (a) in cash at a quarterly  rate of twenty two and  one-half
          cents ($0.225) per share;

                    (b) in  shares  (whether  whole  or  fractional)  of  Freely
          Tradeable  Common Stock valued at the Cash  Equivalent  Amount for the
          purposes of determining the number of shares (or fraction  thereof) of
          Freely Tradeable Common Stock to be issued; or

                    (c) by combination of cash and such shares;


                                       E-5






provided,  that if any such dividend  shall be paid in a combination of cash and
shares  of Freely  Tradeable  Common  Stock,  all  holders  of the  Series  1999
Preferred Stock shall receive cash and shares of Freely  Tradeable  Common Stock
in the same ratio,  except that the Company, at its option, may pay cash in lieu
of  fractional  shares  of  Freely  Tradeable  Common  Stock  valued at the Cash
Equivalent Amount.

          3.3.  Record Date. The Board of Directors  shall fix a record date for
the  determination  of holders of the Series 1999  Preferred  Stock  entitled to
receive payment of a dividend declared  thereon,  which record date shall be not
more than sixty (60) days prior to the date fixed for the payment thereof.

          3.4.  Restricted  Payments.  Unless full  cumulative  dividends on the
Series 1999  Preferred  Stock have been paid, no dividends  shall be declared or
paid or set apart for payment or other  distribution  upon any Junior  Stock nor
shall any Junior  Stock be  redeemed,  purchased  or  otherwise  acquired by the
Company for any consideration (or any payment made to or available for a sinking
fund for the redemption of any shares of such stock) by the Company.

     4. Redemption.

          4.1. Mandatory Redemption.  On May 1st of each of 2005, 2006 and 2007,
or,  in the event  that any such date is not a  Business  Day,  the  immediately
preceding  Business Day before such date,  the Company  shall redeem a number of
shares (or such lesser  number of shares if a lesser  number of shares  shall be
outstanding  on such  date)  of the  Series  A 1999  Preferred  Stock  equal  to
one-third of (x) the number of Series A 1999 Preferred Stock  originally  issued
by the Company plus (y) the number of Series A 1999 Preferred  Stock issued upon
the  conversion of the Series B 1999  Preferred  Stock and a number of shares of
the Series B 1999  Preferred  Stock equal to one-third of the number of Series B
1999 Preferred Stock originally  issued by the Company (or such lesser number of
shares  if a lesser  number  of  shares  shall  be  outstanding  on such  date);
provided,  that if the  holders  of the  Series  1999  Preferred  Stock  are the
beneficial  owners of at least five percent  (5%) of the issued and  outstanding
Common Stock, the Company shall not be permitted to redeem an aggregate of 1,000
shares of the Series A 1999 Preferred  Stock on May 1, 2007 or thereafter  until
the holders of the Series 1999 Preferred  Stock as of any date of  determination
do not  beneficially own five percent (5%) or more of the issued and outstanding
Common Stock  issued by the Company upon the  conversion  or  redemption  of the
Series 1999  Preferred  Stock or paid by the Company as a dividend on the Series
1999 Preferred Stock, at which time the Company may redeem such shares by paying
the holders of such  shares in cash a price per share  equal to the  Liquidation
Amount. Redemptions pursuant to this Section 4.1 shall be paid, at the option of
the Company,  (i) in cash for a price per share of Series 1999  Preferred  Stock
equal to the Liquidation  Amount, (ii) with shares (whether whole or fractional)
of Freely  Tradeable  Common Stock having a Cash Equivalent  Amount equal to the
Liquidation  Amount or (iii) by combination  of cash and such shares;  provided,
that if such  redemption  shall be paid in a  combination  of cash and shares of
Freely  Tradeable  Common Stock,  all holders of the Series 1999 Preferred Stock
shall  receive  cash and  shares of Freely  Tradeable  Common  Stock in the same
ratio,  except  that  the  Company,  at its  option,  may  pay  cash  in lieu of
fractional shares of Freely Tradeable Common Stock valued at the Cash Equivalent
Amount. In the event that at any time less than all of the shares of Series 1999
Preferred Stock outstanding are to be redeemed pursuant to this Section 4.1, the
Company shall effect such  redemption pro rata according to the number of shares
of Series 1999 Preferred Stock held by each holder thereof.

          4.2.  Redemptions Upon Change of Control or Merger. (a) Upon the sale,
conveyance  or  disposition  of all or  substantially  all of the  assets of the
Company,  a merger,  consolidation or other  reorganization  of the Company in a
transaction   or  series  of  related   transactions   (except   for  a  merger,
consolidation or  reorganization  as to which Subsection 4.2(b) applies or after
the  consummation of which the stockholders of the Company own a majority of the


                                       E-6




voting securities of the surviving corporation or its parent corporation),  or a
Change of Control, each holder of the Series 1999 Preferred Stock shall have the
right to require that the Company redeem all or any part of such holder's Series
1999  Preferred  Stock on a date that is no  earlier  than three  Business  Days
following the date such holder notifies the Company of its election to cause the
Company  to redeem  its  Series  1999  Preferred  Stock for cash out of  legally
available funds at a price per share equal to the Liquidation Amount.

          (b) Upon a merger or  consolidation  of the  Company  with or into any
other  corporation  or other  entity where (1) either (A) the Company is not the
surviving  corporation  or  (B)  the  Company  shall  issue  to  any  Person  as
consideration  in respect of such  consolidation  or merger any capital stock of
the  Company  representing  twenty  percent  (20%)  or  more  of  the  Company's
outstanding  capital  stock  prior to such  consolidation  or merger and (2) the
Company has not  received  the  affirmative  vote or consent of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of the Series 1999 Preferred Stock, voting as
a separate class,  each holder of the Series 1999 Preferred Stock shall have the
right to require that the Company redeem all or any part of such holder's Series
1999  Preferred  Stock on a date that is no  earlier  than three  Business  Days
following the date such holder notifies the Company of its election to cause the
Company  to redeem  its  Series  1999  Preferred  Stock for cash out of  legally
available funds at a price per share equal to the Applicable IRR Amount.

          (c) If on the date of such sale,  conveyance,  disposition,  Change of
Control,  merger or  consolidation  funds legally  available for such redemption
shall be  insufficient  to redeem all of the  outstanding  shares of Series 1999
Preferred Stock held by holders who have elected to have their shares  redeemed,
funds to the extent  legally  available  shall be used for such  purpose and the
Company shall effect such  redemption pro rata according to the number of shares
of Series 1999  Preferred  Stock held by each  holder  thereof.  The  redemption
requirements provided hereby shall be continuous, so that if on the date of such
sale, conveyance,  disposition,  Change of Control, merger or consolidation such
requirements can not be fully  discharged,  without further action by any holder
of the Series 1999  Preferred  Stock funds  legally  available  shall be applied
therefor until such requirements are fulfilled.

          Prior to the payment in full of the amounts  owing under this  Section
4.2 to any holder of Series  1999  Preferred  Stock who has  elected to have its
shares  redeemed,  the dividends  with respect to such shares shall  continue to
accrue  dividends and such shares shall retain all rights  associated  with such
Series 1999  Preferred  Stock.  Upon payment in full of the amounts  owing under
this Section 4.2 to any holder of Series 1999 Preferred Stock who has elected to
have  its  shares  redeemed,   then  notwithstanding  that  the  certificate  or
certificates  evidencing  such  shares  shall  not have  been  surrendered,  the
dividends  with  respect to such shares  shall cease to accrue after the date of
such payment in full and all rights with respect to such shares shall  forthwith
terminate.

          4.3. Optional Redemption Prior to March 31, 2002. The shares of Series
1999 Preferred Stock may be redeemed, in whole but not in part, at the option of
the Company, at any time prior to March 31, 2002, if the Common Stock has traded
on a recognized  securities  exchange or national market system more than 75,000
shares  per  day  (as  adjusted  for  stock   dividends,   split-ups,   mergers,
recapitalizations,  combinations,  exchanges  of shares  or the  like)  over the
30-trading  day period prior to the date of the  Redemption  Notice  required by
Section 4.5 below at an average  closing  price on such  securities  exchange or
national  market  system  equal to or greater  than the  following  amounts  (as
adjusted   for   stock   dividends,   split-ups,   mergers,   recapitalizations,
combinations, exchanges of shares or the like):


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          On or prior to

           March 31:                          Average Closing Price:

              2000                                   $  6.25

              2001                                   $  8.25

              2002                                   $ 10.00

          Redemptions  pursuant to this Section 4.3 shall be paid, at the option
of the Company, (i) in cash for a price per share of Series 1999 Preferred Stock
equal to the 30-Day Average Price of the Common Stock  immediately prior to such
date of redemption  multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock  issuable
upon the  conversion  of one share of Series  1999  Preferred  Stock at the then
applicable  Conversion  Price, (ii) with shares (whether whole or fractional) of
Freely  Tradeable  Common Stock valued at a Cash Equivalent  Amount equal to the
cash amount  provided in clause (i) above,  or (iii) with a combination  of cash
and such  shares in amounts  determined  pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above,
respectively;  provided,  that if such redemption shall be paid in a combination
of cash and shares of Freely  Tradeable  Common Stock, all holders of the Series
1999 Preferred  Stock shall receive cash and shares of Freely  Tradeable  Common
Stock in the same ratio, except that the Company, at its option, may pay cash in
lieu of fractional  shares of Freely  Tradeable  Common Stock valued at the Cash
Equivalent Amount. Notwithstanding anything set forth in this Section 4.3, there
shall be no trading volume  requirement if redemptions  pursuant to this Section
4.3 are paid in cash as set forth in  clause  (i) of the  immediately  preceding
sentence.  For purposes of calculating  the  redemption  payment of the Series B
1999 Preferred  Stock to be made pursuant to this Section 4.3, the Series B 1999
Preferred Stock shall be deemed to have the same Conversion  Price as the Series
A 1999 Preferred Stock.

          4.4.  Optional  Redemption  After March 31, 2002. The shares of Series
1999 Preferred Stock may be redeemed, in whole but not in part, at the option of
the  Company,  at any time on or after March 31,  2002,  if the Common Stock has
traded on a recognized  securities  exchange or national market system more than
75,000  shares per day (as adjusted  for stock  dividends,  split-ups,  mergers,
recapitalizations,  combinations,  exchanges  of shares  or the  like)  over the
30-trading  day period prior to the date of the  Redemption  Notice  required by
Section 4.5 below.

          Redemptions  pursuant to this Section 4.4 shall be made, at the option
of the Company, (i) in cash for a price per share of Series 1999 Preferred Stock
equal  to the  Applicable  IRR  Amount,  (ii)  with  shares  (whether  whole  or
fractional) of Freely Tradeable Common Stock valued at a Cash Equivalent  Amount
equal to the  Applicable IRR Amount or (iii) with a combination of cash and such
shares  in  amounts   determined   pursuant  to  clauses  (i)  and  (ii)  above,
respectively;  provided,  that if such redemption shall be paid in a combination
of cash and shares of Freely  Tradeable  Common Stock, all holders of the Series
1999 Preferred  Stock shall receive cash and shares of Freely  Tradeable  Common
Stock in the same ratio, except that the Company, at its option, may pay cash in
lieu of fractional  shares of Freely  Tradeable  Common Stock valued at the Cash
Equivalent Amount. Notwithstanding anything set forth in this Section 4.4, there
shall be no trading volume  requirement if redemptions  pursuant to this Section
4.4 are paid in cash as set forth in  clause  (i) of the  immediately  preceding
sentence.

          4.5.  Redemption  Notice.  The Company shall give written  notice (the
"Redemption  Notice") to each holder of the class of Series 1999 Preferred Stock
to be redeemed  by the Company at least 20 Business  Days prior to the date (the
"Redemption  Date") of any  redemption  required or  permitted to be made by the
Company  under this Section 4, such notice to be addressed to each holder at the
address as it appears on the stock  transfer  books of the Company.  Such notice



                                       E-8




shall  specify  (i) the class or classes of Series  1999  Preferred  Stock to be
redeemed, (ii) the Redemption Date, (iii) the number of all shares of each class
of the Series 1999  Preferred  Stock of each holder to be redeemed  and (iv) the
amount  and form or forms of  payment  therefor  and the  method of  calculation
thereof (the "Redemption  Amount").  On or after each such Redemption Date, each
holder of the Series 1999  Preferred  Stock shall  surrender  a  certificate  or
certificates  representing the number of shares of each class of the Series 1999
Preferred  Stock to be redeemed as stated in the Redemption  Notice  provided by
the Company.  If the Redemption Notice shall have been duly given, and if on the
Redemption  Date  the  Redemption  Amount  is  either  paid or  made  reasonably
available  for  payment  in  immediately  available  funds,  Common  Stock  or a
combination  thereof  as  provided  herein to the  holders  of the  Series  1999
Preferred  Stock being  redeemed,  then  notwithstanding  that the  certificates
evidencing any of the Series 1999 Preferred Stock so called for redemption shall
not have been surrendered, the dividends with respect to such shares shall cease
to accrue after the  Redemption  Date and all rights with respect to such shares
shall forthwith  terminate after the Redemption  Date,  except only the right of
the holders to receive the Redemption  Amount without interest upon surrender of
their  certificate  or  certificates.  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary
contained  herein,  with  respect to any shares of Series 1999  Preferred  Stock
scheduled for redemption  pursuant to a Redemption  Notice,  the holders of such
shares may at any time prior to the Redemption  Date, upon written notice to the
Company as provided  herein,  exercise their right to convert all or any portion
of such  shares into  Common  Stock at the  Conversion  Price.  For  purposes of
calculating  the redemption  payment of the Series B 1999 Preferred  Stock to be
made  pursuant to this Section 4.5, the Series B 1999  Preferred  Stock shall be
deemed to have the same Conversion Price as the Series A 1999 Preferred Stock.

          4.6.  Series B 1999 Preferred  Stock  Optional  Redemption on or after
December  30, 1999.  At any time and from time to time on or after  December 30,
1999,  each  holder the Series B 1999  Preferred  Stock  shall have the right to
require that the Company  redeem all or any part of such holder's  Series B 1999
Preferred  Stock on a date that is no earlier than three Business Days following
the date such holder  notifies  the Company of its election to cause the Company
to redeem its Series B 1999 Preferred Stock for a redemption  price equal to one
Unit per share of Series B 1999 Preferred Stock.  Each "Unit" shall be comprised
of (x) an amount equal to the Liquidation Amount for such share of Series B 1999
Preferred  Stock (the  "Non-SAR  Amount") and (y) two and  one-half  (2.5) Stock
Appreciation Rights ("SAR's"), in form satisfactory to the holders of the Series
B 1999  Preferred  Stock and their legal counsel,  constituting  the right to be
paid by the Company the difference  between Three Dollars and Seventy Five Cents
($3.75)  per share (the "SAR  Threshold  Amount")  of Common  Stock and the fair
market  value of a share of Common  Stock on the date the SAR is  redeemed  by a
holder of such SAR (the "SAR  Exercise  Amount").  Both the  number of shares of
SAR's and the SAR  Threshold  Amount of the SAR's shall be subject to adjustment
and non-impairment pursuant to anti-dilution  provisions providing substantially
equivalent  protections  as the terms of  Section 8 below in the same  manner as
Series A 1999 Preferred Stock. At any time and from time to time on or after the
grant of the SAR's,  each holder of an SAR shall have the right to require  that
the Company  redeem all or any part of such holder's  SAR's on a date that is no
earlier than three  Business Days  following  the date such holder  notifies the
Company  of its  election  to cause  the  Company  to  redeem  its  SAR's  for a
redemption price equal to the SAR Exercise Amount for such SAR's.

          The Non-SAR Amount shall be paid in (i) cash out of legally  available
funds,  (ii) with  shares  of Freely  Tradeable  Common  Stock  valued at a Cash
Equivalent  Amount equal to the cash amount provided in clause (i) above,  (iii)
with shares of Series A Preferred  Stock valued,  based on the par value of such
shares,  at an  amount  equal to the  Liquidation  Amount  of the  Series B 1999
Preferred Stock redeemed,  or (iv) with a combination of cash and such shares in
amounts determined  pursuant to clause (i), (ii) and (iii) above,  respectively;
provided,  that if the Non-SAR Amount shall be paid in a combination of cash and
shares of Series A 1999 Preferred  Stock and/or Freely  Tradeable  Common Stock,
all holders of the Series B 1999  Preferred  Stock electing to cause the Company
to redeem shares of Series B 1999 Preferred  Stock shall receive cash and shares
of  Series A 1999 Preferred  Stock and/or Freely  Tradeable Common Stock in  the


                                       E-9





same ratio,  except that the Company, at its option, may (a) pay cash in lieu of
fractional  shares of Series A 1999 Preferred Stock valued at an amount equal to
the cash value of such fraction  shares of Series A 1999 Preferred Stock and (b)
may pay cash in lieu of  fractional  shares of  Freely  Tradeable  Common  Stock
valued at the Cash Equivalent Amount. The Company shall, in its sole discretion,
select from the options set forth in clauses (i) through  (iv) of the  preceding
sentence the form of consideration that the Company shall pay or issue to effect
such redemption;  provided, that if the Company is unable to legally effect such
redemption by one or more of the methods of redemption  set forth in clauses (i)
through  (iv) of the  preceding  sentence,  the Company  must choose a method of
redemption from among the remaining legal methods of redemption.

          The SAR  Exercise  Amount  shall be paid in (i)  cash  out of  legally
available  funds,  (ii) with shares of Freely  Tradeable  Common Stock, or (iii)
with a  combination  of cash and such shares in amounts  determined  pursuant to
clause (i) and (ii)  above,  respectively;  provided,  that if the SAR  Exercise
Amount  shall be paid in a  combination  of cash and shares of Freely  Tradeable
Common  Stock,  all  holders of the SAR's  electing  to cause the Company to pay
SAR's shall receive cash and shares of Freely Tradeable Common Stock in the same
ratio,  except  that  the  Company,  at its  option,  may  pay  cash  in lieu of
fractional shares of Freely Tradeable Common Stock valued at the Cash Equivalent
Amount.  The Company shall, in its sole discretion,  select from the options set
forth in  clauses  (i)  through  (iii)  of the  preceding  sentence  the form of
consideration  that the  Company  shall  pay or issue to  effect  such  payment;
provided, that if the Company is unable to legally effect such payment by one or
more of the methods of payment  set forth in clauses  (i)  through  (iii) of the
preceding  sentence,  the Company must choose a method of payment from among the
remaining legal methods of payment.

          Prior to the payment or issuance  in full of the  consideration  owing
under this  Section 4.6 to any holder of Series B 1999  Preferred  Stock who has
elected to have its shares  redeemed,  the dividends with respect to such shares
shall  continue  to accrue  dividends  and such shares  shall  retain all rights
associated with such Series B 1999 Preferred Stock.  Upon payment or issuance in
full of the consideration owing under this Section 4.6 to any holder of Series B
1999  Preferred  Stock  who  has  elected  to have  its  shares  redeemed,  then
notwithstanding  that the  certificate or  certificates  evidencing  such shares
shall not have been surrendered, the dividends with respect to such shares shall
cease to  accrue  after the date of such  payment  in full and all  rights  with
respect to such shares shall forthwith terminate.

     5. Liquidation Rights.  Upon any liquidation,  dissolution or winding up of
the affairs of the Company,  no distribution shall be made to the holders of any
Junior Stock unless,  prior to the first such  distribution,  the holders of the
Series 1999 Preferred Stock shall have received the Liquidation  Amount.  If the
assets  distributable  in any  such  event to the  holders  of the  Series  1999
Preferred  Stock are  insufficient  to permit the payment to such holders of the
full  preferential  amounts to which they may be entitled,  such assets shall be
distributed  ratably  among the  holders of the Series 1999  Preferred  Stock in
proportion to the full  preferential  amount each such holder would otherwise be
entitled to receive.

     6. Voting Rights of Series 1999 Preferred Stock.

          6.1 Voting Rights.  The holders of the Series A 1999  Preferred  Stock
shall be entitled,  on all matters submitted for a vote of the holders of shares
of Common Stock, whether pursuant to law or otherwise,  to a number of votes per
share of the  Series A 1999  Preferred  Stock  equal to the  number of shares of
Common  Stock  issuable  upon  conversion  of one  share  of the  Series  A 1999
Preferred  Stock on the date of such vote,  and on all such  matters  shall vote
together  as one class with the  holders of Common  Stock and the holders of all
other shares of stock  entitled to vote with the holders of Common Stock on such
matters.

          6.2 Special Voting Rights. In addition, the holders of the Series 1999
Preferred  Stock shall have the voting powers provided for by law and shall have
the further  voting powers  provided for below.  If one or more of the Events of


                                      E-10




Noncompliance  (defined  below) occurs and remains  outstanding and has not been
specifically waived in writing by holders of eighty percent (80%) or more of the
shares of the Series 1999 Preferred Stock,  then, to the extent permitted by law
as relating to  directorships,  the holders of such Series 1999 Preferred  Stock
shall have the right,  voting as single class  separately from all other classes
and series, to elect two directors of the Company, the remaining directors to be
elected  by the other  classes  or series of stock  entitled  to vote  therefor,
including  the  Series  1999  Preferred  Stock as set forth in Section  6.1.  In
addition,  the Series  1999  Preferred  Stock  shall have the right to elect two
directors  each  time that the  Company  mandatorily  redeems  the  Series  1999
Preferred  Stock by issuing  Freely  Tradeable  Common  Stock to the  holders of
Series 1999  Preferred  Stock  pursuant  to the terms of Section 4.1 above.  The
maximum number of directors that the holders of Series 1999 Preferred  Stock may
elect  pursuant to this Section 6.2 shall be four. If and when such right of the
holders of the Series  1999  Preferred  Stock  becomes  operative,  the  maximum
authorized  number of members of the Board of  Directors  of the  Company  shall
automatically  be  increased  to the extent  necessary  to create any vacancy or
vacancies to be filled only by vote of the holders of the Series 1999  Preferred
Stock then  outstanding  as  hereinafter  set forth.  Whenever such right of the
holders of the Series 1999 Preferred  Stock shall become  operative,  such right
shall be exercised  initially  either at a special meeting of the holders of the
Series 1999  Preferred  Stock  called as provided in Section 6.3 below or at any
annual meeting of stockholders held for the purpose of electing  directors,  and
thereafter at such annual  meetings.  In electing the directors to be elected by
the holders of the Series 1999 Preferred Stock,  each holder of such stock shall
have one vote for each  share  thereof  held.  The right of the  holders  of the
Series 1999 Preferred Stock,  voting as a single class separately from all other
classes  and  series,  to elect two  members  of the Board of  Directors  of the
Company  as a  result  of the  occurrence  of an Event  of  Noncompliance  shall
continue  until such event is cured or waived as set forth above,  at which time
the right of the holders of the Series 1999 Preferred  Stock to vote  separately
and as a single class as provided in this Section 6.2 shall  terminate  (subject
to becoming operative again in the event of a subsequent Event of Noncompliance)
and the maximum  authorized  number of members of the Board of  Directors of the
Company shall  automatically be reduced if such number was increased at the time
when the  terminated  voting  right of the holders of the Series 1999  Preferred
Stock became  operative.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  in no event shall the
Company increase the number of members of the Board of Directors above six, plus
those  members of the Board of  Directors  elected by the  holders of the Series
1999  Preferred  Stock.  In the event that (i) the  holders  of the Series  1999
Preferred Stock elect members of the Board of Directors of the Company  pursuant
to this Section 6.2,  and (ii) all of the Series 1999  Preferred  Stock has been
converted or redeemed, so long as the holders of the Series 1999 Preferred Stock
are the beneficial  owners of the percentage of Common Stock listed below,  such
holders of the Series 1999  Preferred  Stock  shall  continue to have the right,
voting as a single class  separately from all other classes or series,  to elect
the number members of the Board of Directors of the Company listed below:

                  Percentage Ownership  No. of Members of
                       Common Stock        Board of Directors

                           20% or more               4

                           15 - 19.99%               3

                           10 - 14.99%               2

                             5 - 9.99%               1

                           Less than 5%              0;

provided,  that in  calculating  the  percentage  of Common  Stock  owned by the
holders,  only Common  Stock (x) issued by the Company  upon the  conversion  or



                                      E-11




redemption  of the Series 1999  Preferred  Stock or (y) paid by the Company as a
dividend  on  the  Series  1999  Preferred  Stock  shall  be  included  in  such
calculation.  If the  holder(s) of the Series 1999  Preferred  Stock elect fewer
directors  than  allowed by this Section  6.2,  the  director(s)  elected by the
holder(s) of the Series 1999 Preferred Stock shall  nonetheless  have the number
of votes  equal to the  number of  directors  the  holders  of the  Series  1999
Preferred Stock could have elected  pursuant to this Section 6.2, so that at any
subsequent  meeting of the Board of  Directors  of the  Company,  each  director
elected by the  holder(s) of the Series 1999  Preferred  Stock  pursuant to this
Section 6.2 shall have the number of votes equal to the number of directors that
the holder(s) of the Series 1999 Preferred Stock could have elected  pursuant to
this Section 6.2 (the "Available  Director  Seats") divided by the actual number
of  directors  elected by the  holder(s)  of the  Series  1999  Preferred  Stock
pursuant to this Section 6.2 and attending such meeting (the "Actual Directors")
and, for purposes of  determining  whether a quorum is present at such  meeting,
each such director that was elected by the holders of the Series 1999  Preferred
Stock and is present at such  meeting  shall be counted as a number of directors
equal to the number of the  Available  Director  Seats  divided by the number of
Actual Directors.

          Such  "Events of  Noncompliance",  in  addition  to those set forth in
Section 7, are:

                    (a) the  failure by the  Company to pay,  in the  aggregate,
          four  quarterly  dividends  or  the  equivalent  on  the  Series  1999
          Preferred  Stock on the  dates on which  the same  should  be  payable
          according to the terms hereof whether or not  consecutive  and whether
          or not such  dividends have been declared and whether or not there are
          any  monies of the  Company  properly  applicable  to the  payment  of
          dividends;

                    (b) the  failure by the  Company  to redeem the Series  1999
          Preferred Stock when such redemption is required hereunder;

                    (c) the  occurrence  of any event or condition in respect of
          any debts or security of the  Company or any of its  subsidiaries,  or
          under any agreement securing or relating to such debt or security, the
          effect of which is to cause or to permit  any  holder of such debts or
          other  security  or trustee to cause  (whether  or not such  holder or
          trustee elects to cause) such debts or security, or a portion thereof,
          to become due prior to its stated  maturity or prior to its  regularly
          scheduled  dates of payment  provided that,  with respect to any debts
          other than the Company's  senior bank or other credit  facility,  such
          debts in the aggregate exceed Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000);

                    (d) a  breach  by the  Company  of  any  covenant,  term  or
          condition  hereof,  or in  respect  of any  debts or  security  of the
          Company  or any of  its  subsidiaries,  or  any  under  any  agreement
          securing  or  relating  to such  debts or  security,  which  breach is
          continuing and uncured for a period of at least 30 days after delivery
          of written notice thereof to the Company;  provided that, with respect
          to any debts  other than the  Company's  senior  bank or other  credit
          facility,  such  debts in the  aggregate  exceed Ten  Million  Dollars
          ($10,000,000);

                    (e) Mr. M. Jay Allison shall cease to be the chief executive
          officer of the Company, or the occurrence of any material decrease in,
          or the termination of, for any reason,  the active  involvement of Mr.
          Allison  in  the  operations  and  affairs  of  the  Company  and  its
          subsidiaries  as Mr.  Allison is involved on the Closing Date,  unless
          Mr.  Allison  has been  replaced  in such  capacities  by a person  or
          persons  approved  in writing by the  holders of a majority or more of
          the Series 1999 Preferred Stock, in their sole discretion;

                    (f)  the  commencement  of  an  involuntary  case  or  other
          proceeding  against the Company or any of its subsidiaries which seeks
          liquidation,  reorganization or other relief with respect to it or its
          debtor,  other liabilities  under any bankruptcy,  insolvency or other
          similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a
         


                                      E-12




          trustee, receiver, liquidator,  custodian or other similar official of
          it or any substantial  part of its property,  or the entry of an order
          for relief against the Company or any of its  subsidiaries in any such
          case under the United States Bankruptcy Code;

                    (g)  the   commencement   by  the  Company  or  any  of  its
          subsidiaries  of  a  voluntary  case  or  other  proceeding,   seeking
          liquidation,  reorganization or other relief with respect to itself or
          its debts or other  liabilities  under any  bankruptcy,  insolvency or
          other   similar  law  now  or  hereafter  in  effect  or  seeking  the
          appointment  of a trustee,  receiver,  liquidator,  custodian or other
          similar  official of it or any  substantial  part of its property,  or
          consent  to  any  such  relief  or to  the  appointment  of or  taking
          possession  by any  such  official  in an  involuntary  case or  other
          proceeding  commenced  against it, or the making by the Company or any
          of its  subsidiaries  of a  general  assignment  for  the  benefit  of
          creditors,  or  failure  by the  Company  or  any of its  subsidiaries
          generally to or written  admission  of its  inability to pay its debts
          generally as they become due, or the taking of any corporate action to
          authorize or effect any of the foregoing;

                    (h) a Change in Control  shall have occurred with respect to
          the Company;

                    (i) the dissolution of the Company or the discontinuation of
          its usual business; or

                    (j) the failure of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to
          pay, bond or otherwise discharge any judgment or order for the payment
          of money in excess of Five Million  Dollars  ($5,000,000)  that is not
          otherwise  being  satisfied  in  accordance  with its terms and is not
          stayed on appeal or otherwise  being  appropriately  contested in good
          faith and if reserves  adequate under  generally  accepted  accounting
          principles shall not have been established therefor.

                    6.3. Procedures Relating to Special Voting Rights.

                    (a) At any  time  when  the  special  voting  rights  of the
          holders of the Series  1999  Preferred  Stock  provided in Section 6.2
          above  shall have  become  operative  and not have been  exercised,  a
          proper officer of the Company shall,  upon the written  request of the
          holders of record of at least  twenty  percent  (20%) of the shares of
          Series  1999  Preferred  Stock  then  outstanding   addressed  to  the
          Secretary of the Company, call a special meeting of the holders of the
          Series  1999  Preferred  Stock for the  purpose  of  electing  the two
          directors  to be elected  by the Series  1999  Preferred  Stock.  Such
          meeting shall be held at the earliest practicable date upon the notice
          required  for annual  meetings  of  stockholders  at such place in the
          continental United States as may be specified in such written request.
          If such  meeting  shall  not be called by the  proper  officer  of the
          Company  within  twenty (20) days after the  personal  service of such
          written  request upon the  Secretary of the Company,  or within twenty
          (20)  days  after  mailing  the  same  within  the  United  States  by
          registered or certified mail enclosed in a postpaid envelope addressed
          to the  Secretary  of the Company at its  principal  office,  then the
          holders of record of at least  twenty  percent  (20%) of the shares of
          Series A 1999  Preferred  Stock  then  outstanding  may  designate  in
          writing one of their number to call such meeting at the expense of the
          Company,  and such  meeting may be called by the person so  designated
          upon the notice required for annual meetings of stockholders and shall
          be held at such  place  in the  continental  United  States  as may be
          specified  in such  notice.  Notwithstanding  the  provisions  of this
          Section 6.3, no such special meeting shall be called during the period
          of sixty (60) days immediately preceding the date fixed for any annual
          or special  meeting  of  stockholders  if the staff of the  Commission
          shall have  advised the Company  that the calling of any such  meeting
          shall require the Company to amend or supplement its proxy  soliciting
          materials  relating to such annual or special meeting of stockholders;
          and no such special meeting shall be called if in connection with such
          meeting a proxy  solicitation  conforming to the rules and regulations
          issued under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, shall be
          required,  but in such event the  election of directors by the holders



                                      E-13




          of the Series 1999 Preferred Stock shall take place at the next annual
          meeting of stockholders, unless the right of the holders of the Series
          1999  Preferred  Stock to elect  directors  shall in the meantime have
          terminated.

                    (b) Upon any  termination of the right of the holders of the
          Series 1999 Preferred Stock to elect directors as hereinabove provided
          (including  as  holders  of Common  Stock),  the term of office of any
          director  then in office  elected by the Series 1999  Preferred  Stock
          shall terminate immediately.  If the office of any director elected by
          the  holders of the Series  1999  Preferred  Stock  becomes  vacant by
          reason of death, resignation,  retirement,  disqualification,  removal
          from office or otherwise,  then the procedure  provided for in Section
          6.3(a) above shall be used to fill the vacancy.

                    (c) Subject to the  provisions of Section 6.2, the Bylaws of
          the Company shall automatically be deemed amended from time to time to
          provide for the increase or reduction in the maximum authorized number
          of members of the Board of Directors and for the election procedure as
          hereinabove in this Section 6.3 provided.

          6.4. Rights Relating to Board of Directors.  The Company will promptly
execute  and  deliver  to any  individual  elected  to the  Board of  Directors,
pursuant to Section  6.2, an  agreement  by the  Company to  indemnify  and hold
harmless such individual for any and all actions taken by such individual in his
capacity as a member of the Board of Directors to the fullest  extent  permitted
by the laws of the  state of  incorporation  of the  Company.  Unless  waived or
modified by the holders of a majority of the Series 1999 Preferred  Stock voting
as a single  class,  the  Company  will also use its best  efforts  to  promptly
provide for such individual such amount of director's  liability insurance as is
normal and customary for  corporations  which have common stock that is publicly
traded on the New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ National  Market System.  In
addition  to the rights of the  holders of the Series  1999  Preferred  Stock to
elect  directors  as  provided  herein,  any  holder  of  more  than  15% of the
outstanding  Series 1999  Preferred  Stock which does not have a  representative
acting as a member of the Board of Directors  shall have the right to appoint an
observer who may attend and  participate  in all meetings  (including  committee
meetings)  of the  Board of  Directors  and who  shall be  entitled  to the same
expense reimbursement as Directors of the Company.

          6.5.  Certain  Actions  by the  Company.  So long as any shares of the
Series 1999 Preferred Stock are  outstanding,  the Company will not, without the
affirmative  vote or consent of all of the holders of the outstanding  shares of
Series 1999 Preferred Stock,  voting as a separate classes,  amend or repeal any
provision of, or add any provision to, the Company's  Articles of  Incorporation
which affect the dividend  rate,  Liquidation  Amount,  liquidation  preference,
conversion  price,  put right,  dividend  and  liquidation  priority,  mandatory
redemption rights and terms of or any material rights or privileges  relating to
the Series 1999 Preferred Stock.

          Unless  the vote or  consent  of the  holders  of a greater  number of
shares shall then be required by law or as provided in the immediately preceding
paragraph,  and so long as any shares of the  Series  1999  Preferred  Stock are
outstanding,  the Company will not,  without the affirmative  vote or consent of
the holders of at least eighty percent (80%) of the outstanding shares of Series
1999 Preferred Stock, voting as separate classes:

                    (a) amend or repeal any  provision  of, or add any provision
          to, the  Company's  Articles of  Incorporation  which affect the other
          rights,  powers,  preferences  or terms of the Series  1999  Preferred
          Stock;

                    (b) merge or consolidate  with or into any other Person,  or
          sell, assign, convey,  transfer,  lease or otherwise dispose of all or
          substantially  all of the properties and assets of the Company and its
          subsidiaries  on a  consolidated  basis  to any  Person  or  group  of
          affiliated Persons,


                                      E-14





          or permit any of its  subsidiaries to enter into any such  transaction
          or series of related  transactions  if such  transaction  or series of
          transactions,  in the aggregate, would result in the sale, assignment,
          conveyance,   transfer,   lease  or  other   disposition   of  all  or
          substantially  all of the properties and assets of the Company and its
          subsidiaries  on a consolidated  basis to any other Person or group of
          affiliated  Persons,  unless (I) at the time and after  giving  effect
          thereto either (A) if the  transaction  is a merger or  consolidation,
          the  Company  shall  be  the  surviving   Person  of  such  merger  or
          consolidation, or (B) the Person (if other than the Company) formed by
          such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which the
          properties and assets of the Company or its subsidiaries,  as the case
          may be, are sold, assigned, conveyed, transferred, leased or otherwise
          disposed of (any such surviving Person or transferee  Person being the
          "Surviving  Entity")  shall be a  corporation  organized  and existing
          under the laws of the United  States of America,  any state thereof or
          the District of Columbia and shall,  in either case,  issue  preferred
          stock of the  Surviving  Entity into which the Series  1999  Preferred
          Stock is converted or for which it is  exchanged  having  preferences,
          conversion and other rights,  privileges voting powers,  restrictions,
          limitations  as  to   distributions,   qualifications   and  terms  or
          conditions or redemption thereof identical to those of the Series 1999
          Preferred Stock; (II) immediately  before and immediately after giving
          effect to such transaction or series of related  transactions on a pro
          forma  basis  (and  treating  any   indebtedness   not  previously  an
          obligation of the Company or any of its subsidiaries  which becomes an
          obligation  of the Company or any of its  subsidiaries  in  connection
          with or as a result of such  transactions  having been incurred at the
          time of such  transaction),  no default or event of default shall have
          occurred  and be  continuing  under  any  funded  indebtedness  of the
          Company  or the  Surviving  Entity;  (III)  except  in the case of the
          consolidation  or merger of any  subsidiary  with or into the Company,
          immediately after giving effect to such transaction or transactions on
          a pro forma  basis,  the  consolidated  net worth  (as  determined  in
          accordance  with GAAP) of the Company (or the Surviving  Entity if the
          Company  is  not  the  surviving  entity)  is at  least  equal  to the
          consolidated  net  worth  of  the  Company   immediately  before  such
          transaction  or   transactions;   (IV)  except  in  the  case  of  the
          consolidation  or merger of the Company with or into a  subsidiary  or
          any  subsidiary  with or  into  the  Company  or  another  subsidiary,
          immediately  before  and  immediately  after  giving  effect  to  such
          transaction or  transactions  on a pro forma basis  (assuming that the
          transaction or transactions occurred on the first day of the period of
          four fiscal quarters ending  immediately  prior to the consummation of
          such  transaction or  transactions,  with the appropriate  adjustments
          with respect to the transaction or transactions being included in such
          pro forma  calculation),  the Company (or the Surviving  Entity if the
          Company is not the  surviving  entity) could incur $1.00 of additional
          indebtedness (other than specifically permitted indebtedness) pursuant
          to the  provisions of the senior debt  facilities of the Company;  and
          (V) the  Company  (or the  Surviving  Entity if the Company is not the
          surviving  entity)  shall have  delivered to the holders of the Series
          1999 Preferred,  in form and substance reasonably  satisfactory to the
          holders of a majority of the outstanding  Series 1999 Preferred Stock,
          (a) an officers' certificate stating that such consolidation,  merger,
          transfer, lease or other disposition and any supplemental indenture in
          respect thereto comply with the  requirements  under this  Certificate
          and (b) an opinion of counsel stating that the  requirements of clause
          (I) of this paragraph have been satisfied;

                    (c) sell or convey all or substantially all of the assets of
          the Company, or dissolve or liquidate the Company;

                    (d)  reclassify  any  Common  Stock into  shares  having any
          preference  or  priority  as  to  the  payment  of  dividends  or  the
          distribution  of  assets  superior  to or on a  parity  with  any such
          preference or priority of the Series 1999 Preferred Stock; or

                    (e) declare or pay any dividend,  or make any  distribution,
          or purchase,  redeem or otherwise  acquire for value any capital stock


                                      E-15



          or other interest in the Company now or hereafter outstanding, or make
          any other  distribution  of its  assets,  to the holders of any Junior
          Stock, unless (i) no Event of Noncompliance shall have occurred and be
          continuing immediately prior to and after such distributions, (ii) all
          accumulated  dividends with respect to the Series 1999 Preferred Stock
          have  been paid in full  immediately  prior to such  distribution  and
          (iii) the aggregate  amount of all such  distributions in any 12-month
          period does not exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000).

     7. Covenants of the Company.  The failure by the Company to comply with any
of the  covenants  set forth  below,  unless  specifically  waived in writing by
holders of a majority or more of the Series 1999  Preferred  Stock,  shall be an
Event of  Noncompliance.  Except as specifically set forth in Section 7.1 below,
the  holders of the Series  1999  Preferred  Stock  shall have no  remedies  for
violation of the  covenants set forth below other than (i) election of directors
as provided in Section  6.2 and (ii) a right to  specific  performance  or other
equitable  remedies.  7.1.  Board  of  Directors.  So  long as the  Series  1999
Preferred  Stock shall remain  outstanding,  the Company  shall not increase the
number  of  directors  above  six,  except in  connection  with the right of the
holders of the Series A 1999 Preferred  Stock to elect  directors as provided in
Section 6.2 above.

          7.2. Dividend Payments. At least once during any 12-month period while
any shares of Series 1999 Preferred Stock shall remain outstanding,  the Company
shall pay to the  holders  of  shares of the  Series  1999  Preferred  Stock all
accumulated dividends,  if any, with respect to such shares, whether or not such
dividends  have been  declared  and  whether  or not there are any monies of the
Company properly applicable to the payment of dividends.

          7.3. Financial Statements.  Whether or not the Company remains subject
to the  reporting  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  as
amended,  the Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to any holder of the
Series 1999 Preferred Stock:

                    (a) As soon as  available  and in any event  within 105 days
          after  the  close of each  fiscal  year of the  Company,  the  audited
          balance sheet of the Company as of the end of such fiscal year and the
          audited statements of operations and cash flow of the Company for such
          fiscal year prepared in accordance with generally accepted  accounting
          principles  which  fairly  present the  information  included  therein
          (showing any material  change in the consistency of the application of
          such principles from the prior period), accompanied by an opinion of a
          nationally   recognized   independent   certified  public  accountant,
          together  with a certificate  by the President or the Chief  Financial
          Officer of the Company  certifying that no Event of Noncompliance  has
          occurred in such year;

                    (b)  Promptly  upon the  written  request of any  holder,  a
          budget  for  the  consolidated  operations  of  the  Company  and  its
          subsidiaries  for the subsequent  fiscal year,  broken down by months,
          certified by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company;

                    (c)  Promptly  upon the  written  request of any  holder,  a
          written  statement  discussing  the  operations of the Company in such
          quarter and explaining any material  variations in the results of such
          operations from the budget  delivered  pursuant to  subparagraph  (ii)
          above, certified by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company;

                    (d) As soon as  available  and in any event prior to 45 days
          after the end of each quarter of each fiscal year of the Company,  the
          unaudited balance sheet of the Company at the end of such quarter, the
          unaudited statements of operations of the Company for such quarter and
          for the period from the  beginning  of the fiscal year to the close of
          such  quarter,  and  unaudited  statements of cash flow of the Company
          from the  beginning  of the fiscal year to the close of such  quarter,
    

                                      E-16





          all  prepared  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted   accounting
          principles  which  fairly  present the  information  included  therein
          (showing any material  change in the consistency of the application of
          such  principles  from the prior  quarter) and  certified by the Chief
          Financial Officer of the Company;

                    (e) Promptly  upon written  request,  any monthly  financial
          statements  prepared by the Company in the ordinary course of business
          of the Company;

                    (f) Promptly  upon receipt  thereof,  one copy of each other
          report  submitted  to  the  Company  by  independent   accountants  in
          connection  with any annual,  interim or special audit made by them of
          the books of the Company or any of its subsidiaries;

                    (g) Promptly upon written request,  production,  independent
          engineering and other reports; and

                    (h)   Promptly   upon   the   occurrence   of  an  Event  of
          Noncompliance  and in no event  later than 3  Business  Days after the
          occurrence of such event, a certificate of the Chief Financial Officer
          of the Company stating that an Event of Noncompliance has occurred and
          specifying the material  facts related to such Event of  Noncompliance
          and steps being taken or  contemplated  to be taken to cure such Event
          of Noncompliance.

          7.4. Inspection of Property.  In addition to any rights of the holders
of the Series 1999 Preferred Stock under  applicable law to inspect the property
of the Company,  the Company will permit any  representative  designated  by any
holder of the Series 1999 Preferred  Stock,  upon  reasonable  notice and during
normal  business  hours,  to (i) visit and inspect any of the  properties of the
Company and its  subsidiaries,  (ii) examine the corporate and financial records
of the  Company  and its  subsidiaries  and  make  copies  thereof  or  extracts
therefrom  and (iii)  discuss the affairs,  finances and accounts of the Company
and its subsidiaries with the directors, officers, key employees and independent
accountants of the Company and its subsidiaries.

          7.5. Conduct of Business.  The Company shall carry on and conduct, and
cause  each of its  subsidiaries  to  carry  on and  conduct,  its  business  in
substantially the same manner and in substantially the same fields of enterprise
as it is  conducted on the Closing  Date;  and do, and,  unless  merged into the
Company,  cause each of its  subsidiaries to do, all things  necessary to remain
duly  incorporated,  validly  existing  and  in  good  standing  as  a  domestic
corporation  in its  jurisdiction  of  incorporation  and maintain all requisite
authority to conduct its business in each  jurisdiction in which its business is
conducted.

          7.6.  Insurance.  The Company  shall  maintain,  and cause each of its
subsidiaries  to maintain,  insurance  with  financially  sound and  responsible
insurance  carriers  of the  kinds,  against  the  risks  and  in  the  relative
proportions  and  amounts  usually  carried  by  companies  engaged  in  similar
businesses,  including, without limitation, director and officer insurance in an
amount and extent of coverage  acceptable to all of the directors elected by the
holders of the Series 1999 Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 6 above.

          7.7. Maintenance of Property; Development and Maintenance. The Company
shall  maintain,  and cause each of its  subsidiaries  to  maintain,  all of its
tangible   property  in  good  condition  and  repair  and  make  all  necessary
replacements  thereof and operate the same  properly and  efficiently  and shall
develop and  maintain,  or cause to be developed and  maintained  (by the prompt
payment  of all  royalties,  delay  rentals  and other  sums due  thereunder  or
otherwise),  the leases,  wells, units and acreage  constituting proven property
owned or leased by the Company and its  subsidiaries as of the Closing Date in a
prudent  manner,  and  as  may be  reasonably  necessary  for  the  prudent  and
economical operation of such leases, wells, units and acreage in compliance with
all proration and conservation  laws and all applicable  rules,  regulations and
orders of any governmental authority.


                                      E-17





          7.8. Common Stock Reserved;  Legality.  The Company shall at all times
reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued  Common Stock such
number of shares of Common  Stock as shall  from time to time be  sufficient  to
effect the conversion of all  outstanding  shares of the Series A 1999 Preferred
Stock;  all of such shares of the Common Stock which are issuable to the holders
of the Series 1999 Preferred Stock by way of conversion,  redemption or dividend
will,  when  issued,  be duly  authorized  and  validly  issued,  fully paid and
nonassessable, and free from all taxes, liens and charges.

     8. Conversion of Series A 1999 Preferred Stock. The Series A 1999 Preferred
Stock shall be convertible as follows:

          8.1. Right to Convert. Each share of the Series A 1999 Preferred Stock
shall be convertible, without the payment of any additional consideration by the
holder  thereof and at the option of the holder  thereof,  at any time after the
date of  issuance of such  share,  at the office of the Company or any  transfer
agent for the Series A 1999 Preferred Stock, into the whole number of fully paid
and nonassessable  shares of Common Stock determined by dividing the Liquidation
Amount by the  Conversion  Price in effect at the time of  conversion,  plus, in
lieu of any fractional  share to which such holder would  otherwise be entitled,
cash equal to such fraction multiplied by the Conversion Price.

          8.2. Mechanics of Conversion.  In order for any holder of the Series A
1999  Preferred  Stock to convert the same into Common Stock,  such holder shall
deliver  a written  notice to the  Company  that he elects to  convert  all or a
specified  number of such  shares and  stating  therein  his name or the name or
names of his nominees in which he wishes the  certificate  or  certificates  for
Common  Stock to be issued  (the  "Conversion  Notice").  The holder  shall also
surrender to the Company at the office of the Company or of any  transfer  agent
for  the  Series  A  1999  Preferred  Stock,  the  certificate  or  certificates
representing  the Series A 1999  Preferred  Stock to be  converted.  The Company
shall,  as soon as practicable  thereafter,  issue and deliver at such office to
such holder of the Series A 1999 Preferred Stock, or to his nominee or nominees,
a certificate or certificates  representing the number of shares of Common Stock
to which he shall be entitled as aforesaid  and, if less than the full number of
shares  of the  Series A 1999  Preferred  Stock  evidenced  by such  surrendered
certificate  or  certificates  are  being   converted,   a  new  certificate  or
certificates,  of like  tenor,  for the  number of  shares of the  Series A 1999
Preferred Stock  evidenced by such  surrendered  certificate  less the number of
such shares being converted.  Any conversion made at the election of a holder of
the Series A 1999 Preferred Stock shall be deemed to have been made  immediately
prior to the  close of  business  on the date  the  Conversion  Notice  has been
received  by the  Company,  and the Person or Persons  entitled  to receive  the
Common Stock issuable upon  conversion  shall be treated for all purposes as the
record holder or holders of such Common Stock on such date.

          8.3. Adjustments to Conversion Price for Diluting Issues:

                    (a) Stock Dividends,  Subdivisions and Combinations. In case
          at any time or from time to time the Company shall:

                              (1)  take  a  record   of  the   holders   of  its
                    Nonpreferred  Stock for the  purpose  of  entitling  them to
                    receive a dividend  payable  in, or other  distribution  of,
                    Nonpreferred Stock;

                              (2)   subdivide   its   outstanding    shares   of
                    Nonpreferred  Stock  into  a  larger  number  of  shares  of
                    Nonpreferred Stock; or

                              (3) combine its outstanding shares of Nonpreferred
                    Stock into a smaller number of shares of Nonpreferred Stock;


                                      E-18





          then the Conversion Price in effect immediately after the happening of
          any such  event  shall be  proportionately  decreased,  in case of the
          happening of events  described in  subparagraphs  (1) or (2) above, or
          proportionately   increased,  in  case  of  the  happening  of  events
          described in subparagraph (3) above.

                    (b) Certain Other  Dividends and  Distributions.  In case at
          any time or from time to time the  Company  shall take a record of the
          holders of its Nonpreferred Stock for the purpose of entitling them to
          receive any dividend or other distribution of:

                              (1) cash (other than a cash distribution made as a
                    dividend  and  payable  out of  earnings  or earned  surplus
                    legally  available  for the payment of  dividends  under the
                    laws of the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Company, to
                    the extent,  but only to the extent,  that the  aggregate of
                    all such  dividends  paid or declared after the date hereof,
                    does  not  exceed  the  consolidated  net  income,   net  of
                    consolidated net losses, of the Company and its consolidated
                    subsidiaries earned subsequent to the date hereof determined
                    in   accordance   with   generally    accepted    accounting
                    principles);

                              (2) any evidence of its  indebtedness  (other than
                    Convertible Securities), any shares of its stock (other than
                    Additional  Shares  of  Nonpreferred  Stock)  or  any  other
                    securities or property of any nature  whatsoever (other than
                    cash and other than  Convertible  Securities  or  Additional
                    Shares of Nonpreferred Stock); or

                              (3) any warrants or other rights to subscribe  for
                    or purchase any  evidences of its  indebtedness  (other than
                    Convertible Securities), any shares of its stock (other than
                    Additional  Shares  of  Nonpreferred  Stock)  or  any  other
                    securities or property of any nature  whatsoever (other than
                    cash and other than  Convertible  Securities  or  Additional
                    Shares of Nonpreferred Stock);

          then the  Conversion  Price in effect shall be adjusted to that number
          determined by  multiplying  the  Conversion  Price then in effect by a
          fraction (x) the numerator of which shall be the Fair Market Price per
          share of Common  Stock  immediately  prior to the date of taking  such
          record  minus the portion  applicable  to one share of Common Stock of
          any such cash so  distributable  and of the fair  value of any and all
          such evidences of indebtedness,  shares of stock,  other securities or
          property,  or warrants or other  subscription or purchase  rights,  so
          distributable  and (y) the  denominator  of  which  shall  be the Fair
          Market Price per share of Common Stock  immediately  prior to the date
          of taking such record. Such fair value shall be determined pursuant to
          the Valuation Procedure.  The "Valuation Procedure" is a determination
          of fair  value of any  property  made in good  faith  by the  Board of
          Directors; provided, that if the holders of a majority of the Series A
          1999 Preferred  Stock object to such  determination  within 10 days of
          receipt of written notification  thereof,  then the fair value of such
          property  shall be determined  in good faith by a recognized  national
          investment  bank selected by unanimous vote or consent of the Board of
          Directors,  which investment bank is not reasonably objected to by the
          holders of a majority of the Series A 1999 Preferred  Stock.  The fees
          and expenses of such investment  bank shall be paid by the Company.  A
          reclassification of the Nonpreferred Stock into shares of Nonpreferred
          Stock  and  shares  of any  other  class  of stock  shall be  deemed a
          distribution by the Company to the holders of its  Nonpreferred  Stock
          of such shares of such other class of stock within the meaning of this
          Section 8.3(b) and, if the outstanding  shares of  Nonpreferred  Stock
          shall  be  changed  into a larger  or  smaller  number  of  shares  of
          Nonpreferred Stock as a part of such reclassification, shall be deemed
          a subdivision or  combination,  as the case may be, of the outstanding
          shares of Nonpreferred Stock within the meaning of Section 8.3(a).



                                      E-19





                    (c) Issuance of Additional Shares of Nonpreferred  Stock. In
          case at any time or from time to time  after  the  Closing  Date,  the
          Company  shall  (except as  hereinafter  provided)  issue,  whether in
          connection  with the  merger  of a  corporation  into the  Company  or
          otherwise,   any  Additional  Shares  of  Nonpreferred   Stock  for  a
          consideration  per share less than either the Conversion  Price or the
          Fair Market  Price per share of Common Stock on the  Computation  Date
          (determined as set forth in the last sentence of this Section 8.3(c)),
          then the Conversion Price shall be adjusted to the lower of either:

                              (i) that  number  determined  by  multiplying  the
                    Conversion  Price  in  effect   immediately  prior  to  such
                    adjustment by a fraction (x) the numerator of which shall be
                    the number of shares of Nonpreferred  Stock, plus the number
                    of  shares  of   Nonpreferred   Stock  which  the  aggregate
                    consideration for the total number of such Additional Shares
                    of  Nonpreferred  Stock so issued would purchase at the Fair
                    Market   Price  per  share  of  Common  Stock  and  (y)  the
                    denominator  of  which  shall be the  number  of  shares  of
                    Nonpreferred Stock plus the number of such Additional Shares
                    of Nonpreferred Stock so issued; or

                              (ii) the value of the  consideration per share for
                    which  such  Additional  Shares of  Nonpreferred  Stock were
                    issued (or, in the case of adjustments under Sections 8.3(d)
                    or 8.3(e), are issuable).

          No adjustment of the Conversion Price shall be made under this Section
          8.3(c) upon the  issuance  of any  Additional  Shares of  Nonpreferred
          Stock  which are issued  pursuant to the  exercise of any  warrants or
          other  subscription  or purchase rights or pursuant to the exercise of
          any conversion or exchange  rights in any Convertible  Securities,  if
          any such adjustment  shall previously have been made upon the issuance
          of such  warrants  or  other  rights  or  upon  the  issuance  of such
          Convertible  Securities  (or upon the issuance of any warrant or other
          rights therefor) pursuant to Section 8.3(d) or 8.3(e). For purposes of
          this Section 8.3(c),  the Computation Date shall be the earlier of (i)
          the date on which the Company shall enter into a firm contract for the
          issuance of such Additional Shares of Nonpreferred  Stock, or (ii) the
          date of actual  issuance  of such  Additional  Shares of  Nonpreferred
          Stock.

                    (d) Issuance of Warrants,  Options or Other Rights.  In case
          at any time or from time to time after the Closing  Date,  the Company
          shall take a record of the holders of its  Nonpreferred  Stock for the
          purpose  of  entitling  them to  receive a  distribution  of, or shall
          otherwise  issue,  any warrants,  options or other rights to subscribe
          for or purchase any  Additional  Shares of  Nonpreferred  Stock or any
          Convertible  Securities  and the  consideration  per  share  for which
          Additional Shares of Nonpreferred  Stock may at any time thereafter be
          issuable  pursuant  to such  warrants,  options  or  other  rights  or
          pursuant  to the terms of such  Convertible  Securities  shall be less
          than either the Conversion Price or the Fair Market Price per share of
          Common Stock on the Computation  Date  (determined as set forth in the
          last sentence of this Section 8.3(d)), then the Conversion Price shall
          be adjusted as provided in Section 8.3(c).  Such  adjustment  shall be
          made on the basis that (i) the maximum number of Additional  Shares of
          Nonpreferred Stock issuable pursuant to all such warrants,  options or
          other rights or necessary to effect the  conversion or exchange of all
          such Convertible  Securities shall be deemed to have been issued as of
          the Computation  Date (determined as set forth in the last sentence of
          this Section 8.3(d)),  and (ii) the aggregate  consideration  for such
          maximum  number of Additional  Shares of  Nonpreferred  Stock shall be
          deemed to be the minimum consideration  received and receivable by the
          Company for the  issuance of such  Additional  Shares of  Nonpreferred
          Stock pursuant to such  warrants,  options or other rights or pursuant
          to the terms of such  Convertible  Securities.  For  purposes  of this
          Section 8.3(d), the Computation Date shall be the earliest to occur of
          (a) the date on which the  Company  shall take a record of the holders


                                      E-20





          of its Nonpreferred Stock for the purpose of entitling them to receive
          any such warrants,  options or other rights, (b) the date on which the
          Company  shall  enter into a firm  contract  for the  issuance of such
          warrants, options or other rights, and (c) the date of actual issuance
          of such warrants, options or other rights.

                    (e) Issuance of Convertible Securities.  In case at any time
          or from time to time after the Closing Date,  the Company shall take a
          record of the  holders of its  Nonpreferred  Stock for the  purpose of
          entitling them to receive a distribution of, or shall otherwise issue,
          any Convertible  Securities and the  consideration per share for which
          Additional Shares of Nonpreferred  Stock may at any time thereafter be
          issuable pursuant to the terms of such Convertible Securities shall be
          less than either the  Conversion  Price or the Fair  Market  Price per
          share of Common Stock on the Computation Date (determined as set forth
          in the last  sentence of this  Section  8.3(e)),  then the  Conversion
          Price  shall  be  adjusted  as  provided  in  Section   8.3(c).   Such
          adjustments  shall be made on the basis that (i) the maximum number of
          Additional  Shares of  Nonpreferred  Stock  necessary  to  effect  the
          conversion  or exchange of all such  Convertible  Securities  shall be
          deemed to have been issued as of the Computation  Date  (determined as
          set forth in the  penultimate  sentence of this Section  8.3(e)),  and
          (ii) the aggregate consideration for such maximum number of Additional
          Shares  of  Nonpreferred  Stock  shall  be  deemed  to be the  minimum
          consideration  received and receivable by the Company for the issuance
          of such Additional Shares of Nonpreferred  Stock pursuant to the terms
          of such Convertible Securities.  No adjustment of the Conversion Price
          shall be made under  this  Section  8.3(e)  upon the  issuance  of any
          Convertible  Securities  which are issued  pursuant to the exercise of
          any warrants or other subscription or purchase rights therefor, if any
          such adjustment  shall  previously have been made upon the issuance of
          such warrants or other rights pursuant to Section 8.3(d). For purposes
          of this Subsection,  the Computation Date shall be the earliest of (a)
          the date on which the  Company  shall take a record of the  holders of
          its  Nonpreferred  Stock for the purpose of entitling  them to receive
          any such  Convertible  Securities,  (b) the date on which the  Company
          shall enter into a firm contract for the issuance of such  Convertible
          Securities,  and (c) the date of actual  issuance of such  Convertible
          Securities.

                    (f) Superseding  Adjustment of Conversion  Price. If, at any
          time after any adjustment of the Conversion Price shall have been made
          pursuant to the foregoing Section 8.3(d) or 8.3(e) on the basis of the
          issuance  of  warrants  or  other  rights  or the  issuance  of  other
          Convertible Securities,  or after any new adjustment of the Conversion
          Price shall have been made pursuant to this Section 8.3(f):

                              (1) all of such warrants, options or rights or the
                    right of  conversion  or exchange in such other  Convertible
                    Securities shall expire, and none of such warrants,  options
                    or rights, or the right of conversion or exchange in respect
                    of such other  Convertible  Securities,  as the case may be,
                    shall have been exercised; or

                              (2)  the   consideration   per  share,  for  which
                    Additional   Shares  of  Nonpreferred   Stock  are  issuable
                    pursuant to all of such  warrants,  options or rights or the
                    terms of all of such other Convertible Securities,  shall be
                    increased solely by virtue of provisions  therein  contained
                    for an automatic  increase in such  consideration  per share
                    upon the arrival of a specified  date or the  happening of a
                    specified  event,  and  none of such  warrants,  options  or
                    rights, or the right of conversion or exchange in respect of
                    such other Convertible Securities, as the case may be, shall
                    have been exercised;

          such  previous  adjustment  shall be  rescinded  and  annulled and the
          Additional Shares of Nonpreferred Stock which were deemed to have been
          issued  by  virtue  of the  computation  made in  connection  with the
          adjustment so rescinded and annulled shall no longer be deemed to have



                                      E-21




          been issued by virtue of such computation.  Thereupon, a recomputation
          shall be made of the  effect of such  warrants,  rights or  options or
          other  Convertible  Securities  on the  basis  of  treating  any  such
          warrants,  options or rights or any such other Convertible  Securities
          which  then  remain  outstanding  as  having  been  granted  or issued
          immediately  after the time of such increase of the  consideration per
          share for such Additional  Shares of  Nonpreferred  Stock are issuable
          under such warrants or rights or other Convertible Securities; and, if
          and to the  extent  called  for by the  foregoing  provisions  of this
          Section 8.3 on the basis aforesaid, a new adjustment of the Conversion
          Price shall be made, which new adjustment shall supersede the previous
          adjustment so rescinded and annulled.

                    (g) Other  Provisions  Applicable to Adjustments  Under this
          Section. The following provisions shall be applicable to the making of
          adjustments of the Conversion Price hereinbefore  provided for in this
          Section 8.3:

                              (1) Treasury Stock. The sale or other  disposition
                    of any issued shares of Nonpreferred  Stock owned or held by
                    or for  the  account  of the  Company  shall  be  deemed  an
                    issuance thereof for purposes of this Section 8.3.

                              (2)  Computation of  Consideration.  To the extent
                    that any  Additional  Shares  of  Nonpreferred  Stock or any
                    Convertible  Securities  or any  warrants,  options or other
                    rights to subscribe for or purchase any Additional Shares of
                    Nonpreferred  Stock or any Convertible  Securities  shall be
                    issued  solely  for cash  consideration,  the  consideration
                    received by the Company  therefor  shall be deemed to be the
                    amount of cash received by the Company therefor, or, if such
                    Additional  Shares  of  Nonpreferred  Stock  or  Convertible
                    Securities are offered by the Company for subscription,  the
                    subscription   price,  or,  if  such  Additional  Shares  of
                    Nonpreferred  Stock or  Convertible  Securities  are sold to
                    underwriters  or  dealers  for  public  offering  without  a
                    subscription offering, the initial public offering price, in
                    any such case  excluding any amounts paid or receivable  for
                    accrued interest or accrued  dividends and without deduction
                    of any compensation,  discounts or expenses paid or incurred
                    by the Company for and in the  underwriting of, or otherwise
                    in connection with, the issue thereof. The consideration for
                    any  Additional   Shares  of  Nonpreferred   Stock  issuable
                    pursuant  to  any  warrants,  options  or  other  rights  to
                    subscribe   for  or   purchase   the   same   shall  be  the
                    consideration  received  or  receivable  by the  Company for
                    issuing  such  warrant,  options or other  rights,  plus the
                    additional  consideration  payable to the  Company  upon the
                    exercise  of such  warrants,  options or other  rights.  The
                    consideration  for any  Additional  Shares  of  Nonpreferred
                    Stock  issuable  pursuant  to the  terms of any  Convertible
                    Securities shall be the consideration received or receivable
                    by the Company for issuing any  warrants or other  rights to
                    subscribe for or purchase such Convertible Securities,  plus
                    the consideration  paid or payable to the Company in respect
                    of the  subscription  for or  purchase  of such  Convertible
                    Securities,  plus  the  additional  consideration,  if  any,
                    payable to the  Company  upon the  exercise  of the right of
                    conversion or exchange in such  Convertible  Securities.  To
                    the extent that any  issuance  shall be for a  consideration
                    other than solely for cash, then, except as herein otherwise
                    expressly  provided,  the amount of such consideration shall
                    be deemed to be the fair value of such  consideration at the
                    time  of  such  issuance  as  determined   pursuant  to  the
                    Valuation Procedure.

                              (3) When  Adjustments to be Made. The  adjustments
                    required by the  preceding  subsections  of this Section 8.3
                    shall be made whenever and as often as any  specified  event
                    requiring  an  adjustment   shall  occur,   except  that  no
                    adjustment of the Conversion  Price that would  otherwise be
                    required  shall be made (except in the case of a subdivision
                    or  combination  of  shares  of the  Nonpreferred  Stock  as
                    provided  for in  Section  8.3(a))  unless  and  until  such
                    adjustment, either by  itself or with  other adjustments not


                                      E-22





                    previously  made,  adds or  subtracts  at least  five  cents
                    ($0.05) to the Conversion Price, as determined in good faith
                    by the Board of  Directors of the  Company.  Any  adjustment
                    representing a change of less than such minimum amount shall
                    be  carried  forward  and  made as soon as such  adjustment,
                    together with other adjustments required by this Section 8.3
                    and  not  previously   made,   would  result  in  a  minimum
                    adjustment. For the purpose of any adjustment, any specified
                    event  shall be  deemed  to have  occurred  at the  close of
                    business on the date of its occurrence.

                              (4) Fractional Interests. In computing adjustments
                    under this Section 8.3, fractional interests in Nonpreferred
                    Stock   shall  be  taken  into   account   to  the   nearest
                    one-thousandth of a share.

                              (5) When  Adjustment Not Required.  If the Company
                    shall take a record of the holders of its Nonpreferred Stock
                    for the purpose of  entitling  them to receive a dividend or
                    distribution  or  subscription or purchase rights and shall,
                    thereafter   and   before   the   distribution   thereof  to
                    shareholders,  legally  abandon  its plan to pay or  deliver
                    such  dividend,   distribution,   subscription  or  purchase
                    rights,  then thereafter no adjustment  shall be required by
                    reason of the taking of such record and any such  adjustment
                    previously  made in respect  thereof  shall be rescinded and
                    annulled.

                    (h) Merger,  Consolidation or Disposition of Assets. In case
          the Company shall merge or consolidate  into another  corporation,  or
          shall sell,  transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all
          of its  property,  assets  or  business  to  another  corporation  and
          pursuant to the terms of such merger,  consolidation  or  disposition,
          shares of common stock of the successor or acquiring  corporation  are
          to be received by or distributed to the holders of Nonpreferred  Stock
          of the  Company,  then  each  holder  of a share of the  Series A 1999
          Preferred  Stock  shall have the right  thereafter  to  receive,  upon
          exercise of such share of the Series A 1999 Preferred Stock, shares of
          common stock each  comprising  the number of shares of common stock of
          the successor or acquiring corporation  receivable upon or as a result
          of such merger,  consolidation or disposition of assets by a holder of
          the  number  of shares of  Common  Stock  into  which one share of the
          Series A 1999 Preferred Stock could be converted  immediately prior to
          such event. If, pursuant to the terms of such merger, consolidation or
          disposition of assets,  any cash,  shares of stock or other securities
          or  property  of any nature  whatsoever  (including  warrants or other
          subscription or purchase  rights) are to be received by or distributed
          to the  holders of  Nonpreferred  Stock of the  Company in addition to
          common  stock of the  successor  or  acquiring  corporation,  then the
          Conversion Price in effect shall be adjusted to that number determined
          by multiplying  the Conversion  Price then in effect by a fraction (x)
          the  numerator  of which shall be the Fair  Market  Price per share of
          Common  Stock  immediately  prior  to  the  closing  of  such  merger,
          consolidation or disposition minus the portion applicable to one share
          of  Common  Stock of any such  cash so  distributable  and of the fair
          value of any such shares of stock or other  securities  or property so
          received or distributed  and (y) the denominator of which shall be the
          Fair Market Price per share of Common Stock  immediately  prior to the
          closing of such merger,  consolidation or disposition.  The fair value
          of any such shares of stock or other  securities or property  shall be
          determined  pursuant to the Valuation  Procedure.  In case of any such
          merger,   consolidation  or  disposition  of  assets,   the  successor
          acquiring  corporation  shall  expressly  assume the due and  punctual
          observance  and  performance  of each and every covenant and condition
          hereof to be  performed  and  observed  by the  Company and all of the
          obligations and liabilities hereunder, subject to such modification as
          shall be necessary to provide for adjustments to the Conversion  Price
          which shall be as nearly  equivalent as practicable to the adjustments
          provided  for in this  Section.  For  the  purposes  of this  Section,
          "common stock of the successor or acquiring corporation" shall include


                                      E-23




          stock of such  corporation of any class,  which is not preferred as to
          dividends or assets over any other class of stock of such  corporation
          and which is not  subject to  redemption,  and shall also  include any
          evidences of  indebtedness,  shares of stock or other securities which
          are  convertible  into or  exchangeable  for any  such  stock,  either
          immediately  or upon the arrival of a specified  date or the happening
          of a specified  event,  and any  warrants or other rights to subscribe
          for or  purchase  any such stock.  The  foregoing  provisions  of this
          Section   8.3(h)  shall   similarly   apply  to  successive   mergers,
          consolidations or dispositions of assets.

                    (i) Other Action  Affecting  Nonpreferred  Stock. In case at
          any  time or from  time to time the  Company  shall  take  any  action
          affecting its  Nonpreferred  Stock,  other than an action described in
          any of the foregoing  Sections  8.3(a) through (h),  inclusive,  then,
          unless in the opinion of the Board of  Directors  such action will not
          have a materially adverse effect upon the rights of the holders of the
          Series A 1999 Preferred  Stock, the Conversion Price shall be adjusted
          in such manner and at such time as the Board of Directors  may in good
          faith determine to be equitable in the circumstances.

          8.4. No Impairment. Other than in connection with the amendment of its
Articles of Incorporation approved by the requisite number of stockholders,  the
Company will not, through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation,
merger, dissolution,  issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action,
avoid  the  observance  or  performance  of any of the terms to be  observed  or
performed hereunder by the Company but will at all times in good faith assist in
the  carrying out of all the  provisions  of this Section 8 and in the taking of
all such  action as may be  necessary  or  appropriate  in order to protect  the
conversion  rights of the holders of the Series A 1999  Preferred  Stock against
impairment.  Without  limiting the generality of the foregoing,  the Company (i)
will not permit the par value of any shares of stock at the time receivable upon
the  conversion of the Series A 1999  Preferred  Stock to exceed the  Conversion
Price  then in effect,  (ii) will take all such  action as may be  necessary  or
appropriate  in order that the Company may validly and legally  issue fully paid
nonassessable  shares of stock on the  conversion of the Series A 1999 Preferred
Stock, and (iii) will not issue any Additional  Shares of Nonpreferred  Stock or
Convertible Securities or take any action which results in any adjustment of the
Conversion  Price if the total number of shares of Common Stock  issuable  after
such issuance or action upon the  conversion or redemption of, or payment of all
outstanding  dividends on, all of the then  outstanding  shares of Series A 1999
Preferred  Stock  will  exceed the total  number of shares of Common  Stock then
authorized  by the  Company's  Articles of  Incorporation  and available for the
purpose of issue upon such conversion or redemption or payment of such dividend.

          8.5.  Certificate  as to  Adjustments.  Upon  the  occurrence  of each
adjustment or readjustment  of the Conversion  Price pursuant to this Section 8,
the  Company  at  its  expense  shall  promptly   compute  such   adjustment  or
readjustment  in accordance  with the terms hereof and furnish to each holder of
the Series A 1999 Preferred Stock a certificate setting forth such adjustment or
readjustment  and  showing in detail the facts  upon  which such  adjustment  or
readjustment is based,  including a statement of (i) the consideration  received
or to be received by the Company for any Additional Shares of Nonpreferred Stock
issued  or sold or  deemed to have  been  issued,  (ii) the  number of shares of
Nonpreferred  Stock  outstanding  or  deemed  to be  outstanding,  and (iii) the
Conversion  Price  in  effect  immediately  prior  to such  issue or sale and as
adjusted and readjusted on account thereof,  showing how it was calculated.  The
Company shall,  upon the written request at any time of any holder of the Series
A 1999  Preferred  Stock  furnish or cause to be furnished to such holder a like
certificate  setting  forth  (i) the  Conversion  Price at the  time in  effect,
showing how it was calculated, and (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock and
the amount,  if any, of other  property which at the time would be received upon
the conversion of the Series A 1999 Preferred Stock.

          8.6. Notices of Record Date. In the event of any taking by the Company
of a record  of the  holders  of any  class of  securities  for the  purpose  of


                                      E-24




determining  the  holders  thereof who are  entitled to receive any  dividend or
other distribution, or any right to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire
any  shares of stock of any class or any other  securities  or  property,  or to
receive any other right,  the Company  shall mail to each holder of the Series A
1999 Preferred  Stock at least ten days prior to the date specified  therein,  a
notice  specifying  the date on which  any such  record  is to be taken  for the
purpose of such dividend or distribution.

          8.7 Conversion  Option. The Company will have the option, at any time,
to convert the Series A 1999 Preferred  Stock,  on the same terms and conditions
set forth herein, to convertible subordinated debt of the Company, provided that
all of the  following  conditions  are  satisfied:  (i) the  Company  shall have
delivered  to  the  holders  thereof  all  necessary  approvals,   subordination
agreements and other  documentation,  in form and substance  satisfactory to the
holders  of the  Series  A 1999  Preferred  Stock in  their  sole  and  absolute
discretion,  required in connection with such conversion (which will provide for
an  increase in the number of demand  registrations,  the  reasonable  costs and
expenses of which shall be payable by the Company, to a number acceptable to the
holders  of the  Series  A 1999  Preferred  Stock in  their  sole  and  absolute
discretion)  and (ii) the  holders  thereof  shall have  received  an opinion of
counsel to the Company (a) that such  conversion  neither  breaches nor violates
any existing  agreement to which the Company is a party or any other  obligation
of the  Company,  (b) such  conversion  shall  not  cause an  adjustment  in the
conversion  price,  option price or exercise price in any  convertible  security
issued by the Company, and (c) such other matters as the holders of the Series A
1999 Preferred Stock may request.

     9. Conversion of Series B 1999 Preferred Stock. The Series B 1999 Preferred
Stock  shall  be  convertible  as follows:

          9.1 Mandatory  Conversion.  The Series B 1999 Preferred Stock shall be
converted,  in whole but not in part,  into Series A 1999  Preferred  Stock upon
resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company on a share-for-share  basis,
as such number of shares of Series A 1999 Preferred Stock may be  proportionally
increased or decreased  upon the occurrence of an event set forth in Section 8.3
above;  provided,  that all  accumulated,  unpaid dividends on the Series B 1999
Preferred Stock are paid  concurrently  with the conversion of the Series B 1999
Preferred Stock into Series A 1999 Preferred Stock.

          9.2 Mechanics of  Conversion.  In order for the Company to convert the
Series B 1999 Preferred  Stock into Series A 1999 Preferred  Stock,  the Company
shall deliver a written notice to all of the holders of Series B Preferred Stock
that its elects to convert all such shares of Series B 1999 Preferred Stock into
Series A 1999 Preferred  Stock. The Company shall also issue and deliver to each
holder of the Series B 1999 Preferred  Stock,  or to his nominee or nominees,  a
certificate or certificates  representing  the number of shares of Series A 1999
Preferred  Stock to which he shall be  entitled  as  aforesaid.  Each  holder of
Series  B 1999  Preferred  Stock  shall,  as  soon  as  practicable  thereafter,
surrender to the Company at the office of the Company or of any  transfer  agent
for  the  Series  B  1999  Preferred  Stock,  the  certificate  or  certificates
representing  the Series B 1999 Preferred  Stock that have been  converted.  Any
conversion made at the election of the Company shall be deemed to have been made
immediately  prior to the close of business  on the date the Company  delivers a
certificate  or certificate  representing  the number of shares of Series A 1999
Preferred Stock to which the each holder is entitled,  and the Person or Persons
entitled to receive the Series A 1999 Preferred  Stock issuable upon  conversion
shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such Series
A 1999 Preferred Stock on such date.



                                      E-25





     IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. has caused its corporate seal
to be hereunto affixed and this certificate to be signed by M. Jay Allison,  its
President, and Roland O. Burns, its Secretary, this 26th day of April, 1999.


                                        By /s/ M. JAY ALLISON 
                                        --------------------- 
                                            M. Jay Allison
                                            President


                                        By /s/ ROLAND O. BURNS
                                        ----------------------
                                            Roland O. Burns
                                            Secretary



                                      E-26