EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


THIS  EMPLOYMENT  AGREEMENT (as from time to time amended in accordance with the
provisions hereof,  this "Agreement"),  is entered into this 5th day of December
1997 by and between Stephen E. McGregor,  3029 Woodland Drive, N.W., Washington,
D.C. (the "Executive"),  and KEY ENERGY GROUP, INC., a Maryland corporation with
its principal  offices at Two Tower Center,  Tenth Floor,  East  Brunswick,  New
Jersey 08816 (the "Company").

                                    Recitals

A.   The Company and the  Executive  have  previously  entered into that certain
     Consulting Agreement dated as of July 15, 1997 (the "Consulting Agreement")
     pursuant  to which the  Executive  currently  serves as an  Executive  Vice
     President and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company.

B.   The Company  desires to terminate the  Consulting  Agreement and retain the
     services of the  Executive as an  Executive  Vice  President  and the Chief
     Financial  Officer  of the  Company  pursuant  to the terms and  conditions
     hereinafter  set forth  effective as of January 1, 1998 (the  "Commencement
     Date").

C.   The Executive  desires to terminate the  Consulting  Agreement and serve in
     such capacities pursuant to the terms and conditions  hereinafter set forth
     effective as of the Commencement Date.

                                    Agreement

NOW  THEREFORE,   in  consideration  of  the  covenants  and  agreements  herein
contained, the Company and the Executive hereby agree as follows:

1.   Termination of Consulting Agreement; Employment; Term.

(a)  Effective as of the  Commencement  Date, the Consulting  Agreement shall be
     terminated  and of no  further  force or effect  except  for the  Company's
     obligations  to make any payments to the Executive  under Section 2 thereof
     for services rendered and expenses incurred prior to the Commencement Date.
     The Company hereby agrees to employ the Executive, and the Executive hereby
     accepts  employment  by  the  Company,  as  the  Company's  Executive  Vice
     President and Chief  Financial  Officer,  such employment to commence as of
     the Commencement  Date, and to continue until the close of business on June
     30, 2000,  subject to extension  as provided in this Section  1(a),  unless
     sooner terminated in accordance herewith (the "Initial Employment Period").
     On each June 30, commencing with June 30, 2000, the term of the Executive's
     employment hereunder shall be automatically extended for twelve (12) months
     unless  either he or the  Company  shall have given  written  notice to the
     other that such  automatic  extension  shall not occur,  which notice shall
     have been given no later than thirty (30) days prior to the  relevant  June
     30th (the Initial  Employment Period,  together with any extensions,  until
     termination  in  accordance   herewith,   is  referred  to  hereby  as  the
     "Employment Period").

b)  The  Executive  shall  have  the  responsibilities,  duties  and  authority
     commensurate  with his positions as the Executive  Vice President and Chief
     Financial Officer of the Company,  including without limitation the general
     supervision and control over, and responsibility for, the overall financial
     and related activities and the international  operations of the Company and
     its  Subsidiaries,  subject,  however,  to the  supervision  of  the  Chief
     Executive  Officer  and the Board  insofar  as such  Board  supervision  is
     required  by  applicable   laws,   regulations,   and  the  Company.   Such
     responsibilities,  duties and authority shall not be expanded or contracted
     without the express  consent of the  Executive.  The Executive  will report
     only to the Chief Executive Officer, and, as appropriate, the Board.

(c)  The  Executive  will  devote  his full  time and his  best  efforts  to the
     business  and  affairs of the  Company;  provided,  however,  that  nothing
     contained  in this  Section  1 shall be  deemed  to  prevent  or limit  the
     Executive's  right  to:  (i)  make  investments  in the  securities  of any
     publicly-owned corporation; or (ii) make any other investments with respect
     to which he is not  obligated  or required  to, and to which he does not in
     fact, devote substantial managerial efforts which materially interfere with
     his  fulfillment  of his duties  hereunder;  or (iii) to serve on boards of
     directors  and to  serve  in  such  other  positions  with  non-profit  and
     for-profit  organizations  as to which  the  Board  may  from  time to time
     consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

(d)  The principal  location at which the Executive will  substantially  perform
     his  duties  will be the  Company's  principal  offices.  In the  event the
     Company's  principal offices are transferred,  the Company will pay moving,
     temporary  living and other  reasonable  expenses  in  connection  with the
     Executive's  relocation from his present primary residence to a location in
     proximity to the Company's principal offices.

2.   Salary; Bonuses; Expenses.

(a)  During the Employment Period, the Company will pay base compensation to the
     Executive  at  the  annual  rate  of Two  Hundred  Forty  Thousand  Dollars
     ($240,000) per year (the "Base  Salary"),  payable in  substantially  equal
     installments in accordance with the Company's  existing payroll  practices,
     but  no  less  frequently  than  monthly.   The  Company  will  review  the
     Executive's  Base Salary on a yearly basis  promptly  following  the end of
     each fiscal year of the Company to determine  if an increase is  advisable,
     and the Base Salary may be increased  (but not decreased) at the discretion
     of the Chief Executive  Officer and the Board,  taking into account,  among
     other  factors,  the  Executive's  performance  and the  performance of the
     Company.

(b)  The Executive  shall be paid a cash bonus of $100,000 within 30 days of the
     Company's  annual earnings  release for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998
     indicating  an  earnings  per share  level of at least $.85 per share (on a
     fully diluted basis) for the 1998 fiscal year, and an additional cash bonus
     of $150,000 within 30 days of the Company's annual earnings release for the
     fiscal year ended June 30, 1998  indicating  an earnings per share level of
     at least  $.95 per share (on a fully  diluted  basis)  for the 1998  fiscal
     year.  Similar  cash bonus  arrangements  of at least  $250,000 for each of
     fiscal  years  1999 and 2000  shall be agreed to by the  Executive  and the
     Chief Executive  Officer and approved by the Board within the first 30 days
     of each such fiscal year.


(c)  In addition to the cash bonuses identified in Section 2(b), for each annual
     period  commencing  July 1,  1997,  the  Executive  shall  be  eligible  to
     participate in an incentive plan (the  "Incentive  Plan") for the Company's
     executives  providing  for the  payment  of cash  bonuses,  which plan will
     provide for the payment of bonuses based upon the  achievement of goals set
     forth in the Company's  strategic plan as developed by the  Executive,  the
     Chief  Executive  Officer,  and the Board (the "Strategic  Plan"),  payable
     within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year. The  performance
     goals for the Incentive Plan will be based on objective  criteria  mutually
     negotiated  and agreed upon in good faith in advance by the  Executive  and
     the Board. The Executive's  aggregate annual bonus determined in accordance
     with this Section 2(c) is referred to herein as the "Annual Bonus."

(d)  The Executive  shall be reimbursed  by the Company for  reasonable  travel,
     lodging,  meal  and  other  expenses  incurred  by him in  connection  with
     performing his services hereunder in accordance with the Company's policies
     from time to time in effect.

3.   Stock Options.

(a)  The Company has previously  granted to the Executive pursuant to agreements
     in the form attached hereto, as Exhibit A:

(i)  Options  (the "200  Options")  to acquire  two hundred  thousand  (200,000)
     shares of the Company's  common stock at an exercise price of $ 20.4375 per
     share.  One third  (1/3) of the 200  Options  shall vest on each of July 1,
     1998,  1999 and 2000 and be  exercisable at any time prior to July 1, 2008;
     and

(ii) Options (the "50 Options") to acquire fifty thousand (50,000) shares of the
     Company's  common stock at an exercise  price  $20.4375  per share.  The 50
     Options  shall vest,  if at all, on the date during the  three-year  period
     beginning on the date hereof on which the Closing Price (defined  below) of
     the Company's common stock is equal to or greater than $30.00 per share for
     sixty (60) consecutive  trading days and be exercisable for a period of ten
     (10) years  thereafter.  The term  "Closing  Price"  shall mean the closing
     price as reported on the  American  Stock  Exchange or such other  national
     exchange  on which the  Company's  common  stock is  trading at the time of
     determination.

(b)  In addition to Section  3(a),  for each annual  period  commencing  July 1,
     1997, the Executive shall be eligible to participate in a stock option plan
     for the  Company's  executives  providing for the granting of stock options
     under the  Company's  1995 Stock Option Plan,  as amended from time to time
     (the "1995 Stock Option Plan"). The performance goals for the grant of such
     option will be based on objective  criteria mutually  negotiated and agreed
     upon in good  faith  in  advance  by the  Executive,  the  Chief  Executive
     Officer,  and the Board. The Executive's  aggregate annual bonus determined
     in  accordance  with this Section 3(b) is referred to herein as the "Annual
     Stock Option Grant."

   

(c)  The  Company  agrees  that it will use its best  efforts to comply with the
     requirements of Rule 16b-3 promulgated  pursuant to the Securities Exchange
     Act of 1934,  as amended (the "1934 Act"),  as such rule shall be in effect
     from time to time,  or with any  successor  provision  to said rule  ("Rule
     16b-3")  such that in the event  the  Executive  shall  become  subject  to
     Section  16 (or a  successor  provision)  of the 1934 Act with  respect  to
     shares of the Company's  capital stock, the Executive shall be afforded the
     benefits of Rule 16b-3 with  respect to such  restricted  stock or options,
     including without limitation providing for the grant of restricted stock or
     options pursuant to stock plans which comply with Rule 16b-3 and permit the
     terms of options contemplated by this Agreement.

4.   Benefit Plans;  Vacations.  In connection with the  Executive's  employment
     hereunder,   he  shall  be  entitled  during  the  Employment  Period  (and
     thereafter to the extent  provided in Section 5(f) hereof) to the following
     additional benefits:

(a)  At  the  Company's  expense,   such  fringe  benefits,   including  without
     limitation  group medical and dental,  life,  executive life,  accident and
     disability  insurance  and  retirement  plans and  supplemental  and excess
     retirement  benefits,  as the Company may provide from time to time for its
     senior  management,  but in any case,  at least the  benefits  described on
     Exhibit B hereto.

(b)  The Executive shall be entitled to no less than the number of vacation days
     in each calendar year determined in accordance with the Company's  vacation
     policy as in effect from time to time,  but not less than fifteen (15) days
     in any calendar  year  (prorated  in any  calendar  year during which he is
     employed  hereunder  for less than the entire year in  accordance  with the
     number  of days in such  calendar  year in  which he is so  employed).  The
     Executive  shall also be entitled to all paid  holidays and  personal  days
     given by the Company to its executives.

(c)  The  Executive  shall be  entitled  to receive an  allowance  of $1,000 per
     month,  to cover costs incurred by the Executive in connection with the use
     of his automobile during the Employment Period.

(d)  The Company shall pay the reasonable  expenses not in excess of $2,500 of a
     home office for the Executive.

(e)  Nothing herein contained shall preclude the Executive,  to the extent he is
     otherwise  eligible,  from participation in all group insurance programs or
     other fringe  benefit  plans which the Company may from time to time in its
     sole and absolute discretion make available generally to its personnel,  or
     for personnel similarly situated,  but the Company shall not be required to
     establish  or maintain  any such program or plan except as may be otherwise
     expressly provided herein.

(f)  The Company shall pay all membership costs,  including  without  limitation
     all  initiation  and  membership  fees and expenses and all annual or other
     periodic  fees,  dues and costs,  for the  Executive to become and remain a
     member of one private country club, golf club,  tennis club or similar club
     or  association  for business use selected by the Executive and approved by
     the Board, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

5.   Termination, Change of Control and Reassignment of Duties.

(a)  Termination  By Company.  The Company shall have the right to terminate the
     Executive's employment under this Agreement for Cause (as defined below) at
     any time without  obligation to make any further  payments to the Executive
     hereunder.  The Company shall have the right to terminate  the  Executive's
     employment  for any reason  other than for Cause only upon at least  ninety
     (90) days prior  written  notice to him,  except as  otherwise  provided in
     Section 5(b), which Section shall apply in the event the Executive  becomes
     unable to perform his  obligations  hereunder by reason of  Disability  (as
     defined  below).  In the  event  the  Company  terminates  the  Executive's
     employment  hereunder  for any reason  other than for Cause or  Disability,
     then for the purpose of effecting a  transition  during the ninety (90) day
     notice period of the Executive's management functions from the Executive to
     another person or persons,  during such period the Company may reassign the
     Executive's  duties  hereunder  to another  person or other  persons.  Such
     reassignment shall not reduce the Company's  obligations  hereunder to make
     salary,  bonus and other  payments to the  Executive  and to provide  other
     benefits to him during the  remainder of his  employment  and following the
     termination  of  employment,  including  without  limitation the use of his
     office and secretarial services during the remainder of his employment.

As used in this  Agreement,  the term  "Cause"  shall  mean (i) the willful and
continued failure by the Executive to substantially perform his duties hereunder
(other  than (A) any such  willful  or  continued  failure  resulting  from this
incapacity due to physical or mental illness or physical  injury or (B) any such
actual or  anticipated  failure after the issuance of a notice of termination by
the Executive for Good Reason (as defined  below),  after demand for substantial
performance  is  delivered  by the Company to the  Executive  that  specifically
identifies  the  manner in which the  Company  believes  the  Executive  has not
substantially  performed  his  duties);  or (ii)  the  willful  engaging  by the
Executive in misconduct which is materially injurious to the Company, monetarily
or  otherwise;  or (iii)  the  conviction  of a felony  by a court of  competent
jurisdiction.  For purposes of this paragraph,  no act, or failure to act on the
part of the Executive shall be considered "willful" unless done or omitted to be
done by him in bad  faith  and  without  reasonable  belief  that his  action or
omission was in the best interest of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Executive's employment shall not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause
unless (A)  reasonable  notice  shall have been  given to him  setting  forth in
detail the reasons for the Company's  intention to terminate  for Cause,  and if
such  termination  is pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) above and any damage to the
Company is curable,  only if  Executive  has been  provided a period of ten (10)
business days from receipt of such notice to cease the actions or inactions, and
he has not  done  so;  (B) an  opportunity  shall  have  been  provided  for the
Executive,  together with his counsel,  to be heard before the Board; and (C) if
such  termination  is pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) above,  delivery shall have
been made to the  Executive of a notice of  termination  from the Board  finding
that in the good  faith  opinion  of a  majority  of the  Board  (excluding  the
Executive)  he was guilty of conduct set forth in clause (i) or (ii) above,  and
specifying the particulars thereof in detail.

(b)  Termination  upon  Disability and Temporary  Reassignment  of Duties Due to
     Disability.


(i)  If the  Executive  becomes  totally  and  permanently  disabled  during the
     Employment Period so that he is unable to perform his obligations hereunder
     by reasons involving  physical or mental illness or physical injury (A) for
     a period of ninety (90) consecutive days, or (B) for an aggregate of ninety
     (90)  days   during  any   period  of  twelve   (12)   consecutive   months
     ("Disability"),  then the term of the Executive's  employment hereunder may
     be terminated by the Company within sixty (60) days after the expiration of
     said ninety (90) day period  (whether  consecutive or in the aggregate,  as
     the case may be),  said  termination  to be  effective  ten (10) days after
     written  notice to the  Executive.  In the event the  Company  shall give a
     notice of  termination  under this  Section  5(b)(i),  then the Company may
     reassign  the  Executive's  duties  hereunder  to  another  person or other
     persons.  Such  reassignment  shall not  reduce the  Company's  obligations
     hereunder to make salary,  bonus and other payments to the Executive and to
     provide other  benefits to him,  during the remainder of his employment and
     following the termination of employment.

(ii) During any period that the  Executive is totally  disabled  such that he is
     unable to perform his obligations hereunder by reason involving physical or
     mental illness or physical  injury,  as determined by a physician chosen by
     the  Company  and  reasonably  acceptable  to the  Executive  (or his legal
     representative),  the Company may reassign the Executive's duties hereunder
     to another person or other persons,  provided if the Executive  shall again
     be able to perform his obligations  hereunder,  all such duties shall again
     be the  Executive's  duties.  The cost of any examination by such physician
     shall  be borne  by the  Company.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  if the
     Executive has been unable to perform his  obligations  hereunder by reasons
     involving  physical or mental  illness or  physical  injury for a period of
     ninety (90) consecutive days or an aggregate of ninety (90) days during any
     period  of  twelve  (12)  consecutive  months,  then a  determination  by a
     physician  of   disability   will  not  be  required   prior  to  any  such
     reassignment.   Any  such  reassignment  shall  not  be  a  termination  of
     employment  and in no event shall such  reassignment  reduce the  Company's
     obligation to make salary, bonus and other payments to the Executive and to
     provide other  benefits to him under this  Agreement  during his employment
     or, if applicable, following a termination of employment.

(c)  Termination by Executive.  The Executive's  employment may be terminated by
     him by giving written notice, to the Company as follows: (i) at any time by
     notice of at least thirty (30) days;  (ii) at any time by notice for a Good
     Reason, effective upon giving such notice; (iii) at any time, if his health
     should become impaired, provided he has obtained a written statement from a
     qualified doctor to such effect, effective upon giving such notice; or (iv)
     at any time  following  but prior to the first  anniversary  of a Change of
     Control (as defined below), effective upon giving such notice. In the event
     of a  termination  by the  Executive  of his  employment,  the  Company may
     reassign  the  Executive's  duties  hereunder  to  another  person or other
     persons.

As used herein, a "Good Reason" shall mean any of the following:

(A)  Failure of the Board to elect the Executive as Executive Vice President and
     Chief  Financial  Officer of the  Company,  or  removal  from the office of
     Executive  Vice  President  and  Chief  Financial  Officer  of the  Company
     provided  that  such  failure  or  removal  is  not  in  connection  with a
     termination of the Executive's employment hereunder for Cause in accordance
     with  Section  5(a) and  provided  further  that any notice of  termination
     hereunder  shall be given by the Executive  within ninety (90) days of such
     failure or removal.

(B)  Material  change by the Company in the  Executive's  authority,  functions,
     duties or  responsibilities as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
     Officer of the Company (including  without  limitation  material changes in
     the control or  structure  of the  Company)  which would cause his position
     with the  Company to become of less  responsibility,  importance,  scope or
     dignity than his position as of the  Commencement  Date,  provided that (I)
     such material change is not in connection with a termination of Executive's
     employment  hereunder for Cause in accordance  with Section 5(a), (II) such
     material  change is not made in  accordance  with Section 5(a)  following a
     termination of  Executive's  employment by the Company other than for Cause
     or Disability,  (III) such material  change is not made in accordance  with
     Section 5(b)  pertaining to disability,  including  without  limitation the
     time  period  restrictions  applicable  thereunder,  and (IV) any notice of
     termination hereunder shall be given by him within ninety (90) days of when
     he becomes aware of such change; or

(C)  Failure by the Company to comply with any  provision  of Section 1, 2, 3, 4
     or 8 of this  Agreement,  which has not been cured within fifteen (15) days
     after notice of such  noncompliance  has been given by the Executive to the
     Company, provided any notice of termination hereunder shall be given by the
     Executive  within  ninety (90) days after the end of such  fifteen (15) day
     period;

(D)  Failure  by the  Company to obtain an  assumption  of this  Agreement  by a
     successor in  accordance  with Section 14 unless  payment or provision  for
     payment and provision for  continuation  of benefits  under this  Agreement
     have been made in a manner permitted by Section 5; and
 
(E)  Any  purported  termination  by the Company of the  Executive's  employment
     which is not  effected  in  accordance  with the  terms of this  Agreement,
     including  without  limitation  pursuant  to a notice  of  termination  not
     satisfying  the  requirements  set forth  herein (and for  purposes of this
     Agreement no such purported termination by the Company shall be effective),
     which  has not  been  cured  within  ten (10)  days  after  notice  of such
     non-conformance  has been given by the  Executive to the Company,  provided
     any notice of termination  hereunder shall be given by the Executive within
     thirty (30) days of receipt of notice of such purported termination.

As used herein, a "Change of Control" means that any of the following events has
occurred:

(I)  Any person (as defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the 1934 Act (or any successor
     provision),  other than the Company,  is the  beneficial  owner directly or
     indirectly of more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the outstanding Common
     Stock of the Company,  determined in  accordance  with Rule 13d-3 under the
     1934 Act (or any successor  provision),  or otherwise  becomes  entitled to
     vote more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the voting power entitled to be
     cast at elections for directors ("Voting Power") of the Company,  or in any
     event  such  lower  percentage  as may at any time be  provided  for in any
     similar  provision  for any  director  or officer of the  Company or of any
     Subsidiary approved by the Board;


(II) If the Company is subject to the  reporting  requirements  of Section 13 or
     15(d) (or any successor  provision) of the 1934 Act, any person (as defined
     in Section 3(a)(9) of the 1934 Act), other than the Company, shall purchase
     shares pursuant to a tender offer or exchange offer to acquire Common Stock
     of the Company  (or  securities  convertible  into or  exchangeable  for or
     exercisable   for  Common   Stock)  for  cash,   securities  or  any  other
     consideration, provided that after consummation of the offer, the person in
     question is the  beneficial  owner,  directly or  indirectly,  of more than
     twenty-five  percent (25%) of the outstanding  Common Stock of the Company,
     determined  in  accordance  with  Rule  13d-3  under  the  1934 Act (or any
     successor  provision)  or  such  lower  percentage  as may at any  time  be
     provided  for in any similar  provision  for any director or officer of the
     Company or of any Subsidiary approved by the Board;

(III)The  stockholders  or the Board shall have  approved any  consolidation  or
     merger of the  Company in which (1) the  Company is not the  continuing  or
     surviving  corporation  unless  such merger is with a  Subsidiary  at least
     eighty percent (80%) of the Voting Power of which is held by the Company or
     (2) pursuant to which the holders of the  Company's  shares of Common Stock
     immediately prior to such merger or consolidation  would not be the holders
     immediately  after such merger or  consolidation  of at least a majority of
     the Voting Power of the Company or such lower percentage as may at any time
     be provided for in any similar provision for any director or officer of the
     Company or of any Subsidiary approved by the Board.

(IV) The stockholders or the Board shall have approved any sale, lease, exchange
     or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of  transactions)  of all
     or substantially all of the assets of the Company; or

(V)  Upon the election of one or more new  directors of the Company,  a majority
     of the directors  holding  office,  including the newly elected  directors,
     were not  nominated as  candidates by a majority of the directors in office
     immediately before such election.

As used in this definition of Change of Control, "Common Stock" means the Common
Stock,  or if  changed,  the  capital  stock  of  the  Company  as it  shall  be
constituted  from time to time entitling the holders  thereof to share generally
in the  distribution of all assets  available for  distribution to the Company's
stockholders  after the  distribution  to any  holders  of  capital  stock  with
preferential rights.

(d)  Severance Compensation.

(i)  Termination  for Good  Reason  or Other  than for  Cause.  In the event the
     Executive's  employment  hereunder is terminated (A) by the Executive for a
     Good  Reason or (B) the  Company  other than for Cause  (including  without
     limitation in the event the Company elects at any time not to automatically
     extend the Executive's employment hereunder pursuant to the second sentence
     of Section 1(a) hereof),  the Executive  shall be entitled,  in addition to
     the other  compensation  and  benefits  herein  provided  for, to severance
     compensation  in an  aggregate  amount  equal to the product of (I) two (2)
     times (II) his Base Salary at the rate in effect on the  termination  date,
     payable  in  twenty-four  (24)  substantially  equal  monthly  installments
     commencing at the end of the calendar month in which the  termination  date
     occurs; provided, however, that if the Executive's employment is terminated
     following a Change of Control or is  terminated  by the Company  other than
     for  Cause  in  anticipation   of  a  Change  of  Control,   the  severance
     compensation  referred to above shall be three (3) times the Base Salary at
     the rate in effect on the termination date and shall be payable in one lump
     sum on the date of such termination.

(ii) Termination following Disability.  In the event the Executive's  employment
     should be terminated by the Company as a result of Disability in accordance
     with Section 5(b) hereof, then the Executive shall be entitled, in addition
     to the other  compensation  and benefits  herein provided for, to severance
     compensation  in an  aggregate  amount  equal to the product of (A) two (2)
     times (B) his Base  Salary at the rate in effect on the  termination  date,
     payable  in  twenty-four  (24)  substantially  equal  monthly  installments
     commencing at the end of the calendar month in which the  termination  date
     occurs, reduced by the amount of any disability insurance proceeds actually
     paid to the Executive or for his benefit during the said time period.

(e)  Effect of Termination or Change of Control upon Equity Compensation.

(i)  In the event the  Executive's  employment  hereunder is  terminated  by the
     Company for any reason other than for Cause (including  without  limitation
     an  election by the Company  not to  automatically  extend the  Executive's
     employment  hereunder  pursuant  to the second  sentence  of  Section  1(a)
     hereof),  or in the event the Executive should terminate his employment for
     Good Reason,  then,  unless the provisions of Section 5(e)(iv) hereof shall
     apply,  effective  upon  the  date  such  termination  is  effective,   any
     restricted stock or unexpired options (including without limitation the 200
     Options and the 50 Options) held by the  Executive  entitling the Executive
     to  purchase  securities  of the  Company not  previously  vested  shall be
     forfeited,  unless there shall be a contrary  provision in the agreement or
     plan pursuant to which such restricted stock or options were granted.

(ii) In the event the  Executive's  employment  hereunder is  terminated  by the
     Company  for  Cause,  then  effective  upon the date  such  termination  is
     effective,  any restricted stock or options  (including  without limitation
     the 200 Options and 50 Options) not  previously  vested shall be forfeited,
     unless  there  shall  be a  contrary  provision  in the  agreement  or plan
     pursuant to which such restricted stock or options were granted.

(iii)In the event of the  Executive's  death while employed or in the event that
     the  Executive's  employment  should  terminate as a result of  Disability,
     then,  unless the provisions of Section  5(e)(iv)  hereof shall apply,  any
     restricted stock or unexpired options (including without limitation the 200
     Options and the 50 Options) held by the  Executive  entitling the Executive
     to purchase  securities  of the Company not  previously  vested  shall vest
     and/or be exercisable for an exercise period of at least twelve (12) months
     following such termination date, unless there shall be a contrary provision
     in the agreement or plan pursuant to which such restricted stock or options
     were granted.

(iv) In the event of a Change of Control while the  Executive is employed,  then
     as of the date  immediately  prior to the date such Change of Control shall
     occur, any restricted stock or options  (including  without  limitation the
     200 Options and 50 Options) held by the  Executive  entitling the Executive
     to purchase  securities of the Company,  which  restricted stock or options
     are subject to vesting,  shall,  notwithstanding  any contrary provision in
     the  agreement or plan pursuant to which such  restricted  stock or options
     were  granted,  become  fully  vested  and any such  options  shall  become
     exercisable  as of such  date  and  shall  remain  exercisable  during  the
     respective  terms of such  options,  unless  his  employment  shall  sooner
     terminate.  In the event of any termination of his employment following the
     date an option becomes fully  exercisable  in accordance  with the terms of
     this Section  5(e)(iv),  then the  applicable  exercise  period shall be at
     least twelve (12) months  following the date of  termination or such longer
     period as set forth in the pertinent option agreement.

(f)  Continuation of Benefits,  etc. (i) Subject to Section 5(f)(ii) hereof,  in
     the event  that  Executive's  employment  hereunder  is  terminated  by the
     Executive  for a Good  Reason  or by  the  Company  other  than  for  Cause
     (including  without  limitation  in the event  the  Company  elects  not to
     automatically  extend the Executive's  employment hereunder pursuant to the
     second sentence of Section 1(a) hereof), the Executive shall continue to be
     entitled to the benefits  that the  Executive was receiving or to which the
     Executive was entitled as of the date immediately  preceding the applicable
     termination date pursuant to Section 4 hereof at the Company's  expense for
     a period of time  following  the  termination  date  ending on the first to
     occur of (I) the second  anniversary  of the  termination  date or (II) the
     date on which the  Executive  commences  full-time  employment  by  another
     employer,  but only if and to the  extent  the  Executive  is  eligible  to
     receive through such other employer  benefits which are at least equivalent
     on an aggregate  basis to those  benefits the Executive was receiving or to
     which the Executive was entitled  under Section 4 hereof as of  immediately
     preceding  the  applicable  termination  date.  If because  of  limitations
     required  by third  parties  or  imposed by law,  the  Executive  cannot be
     provided such benefits through the Company's  plans,  then the Company will
     provide  the  Executive  with  substantially  equivalent  benefits,  on  an
     aggregate   basis,   at  the  Company's   expense.   For  purposes  of  the
     determination  of  any  benefits  which  require  a  particular  period  of
     employment by the Company  and/or the  attainment of a particular age while
     employed  by the  Company in order to be payable,  the  Executive  shall be
     treated as having  continued in the  employment of the Company  during such
     period of time as the Executive is entitled to receive  benefits under this
     Section 5(f). At such time as the Company is no longer  required to provide
     the Executive with life and/or  disability  insurance,  as the case may be,
     the Executive shall be entitled at the Executive's  expense to convert such
     life and  disability  insurance,  as the case may be,  except if and to the
     extent  such  conversion  is  not  available  from  the  provider  of  such
     insurance.

(ii) In the event the Executive's employment is terminated following a Change of
     Control  or  is   terminated  by  the  Company  other  than  for  Cause  in
     anticipation  of a  Change  of  Control,  the  Company  shall  pay  to  the
     Executive,  in lieu of  providing  the  benefits  contemplated  by  Section
     5(f)(i) above, an amount in cash equal to the aggregate reasonable expenses
     that the Company  would  incur if it were to provide  such  benefits  for a
     period  of  time  following  the  termination  date  ending  on  the  third
     anniversary of the termination date, which amount shall be paid in one lump
     sum on the date of such termination.

(g)  Accrued  Compensation.  In the event of any  termination of the Executive's
     employment for any reason, the Executive (or his estate) shall be paid such
     portion of his Base  Salary by virtue of his  employment  during the period
     prior to termination  and has not yet been paid,  together with any amounts
     for  expense  reimbursement  and  similar  items  which have been  properly
     incurred in accordance with the provisions  hereof prior to termination and
     have not yet been paid.  Such amounts shall be paid within ten (10) days of
     the termination date.


(h)  Resignation. If the Executive's employment hereunder shall be terminated by
     him or by the Company in accordance  with the terms set forth herein,  then
     effective upon the date such termination is effective, he will be deemed to
     have  resigned from all positions as an officer and Director of the Company
     and of any of its  Subsidiaries,  except as the parties (or with respect to
     positions  with a  Subsidiary,  the  Executive  and  such  Subsidiary)  may
     otherwise agree.

6.   Limitation  on  Competition.  During the  Employment  Period,  and for such
     period  thereafter  as the  Executive  is  entitled  to  receive  severance
     compensation  under  this  Agreement,  in the event of  termination  of the
     Executive's  employment hereunder for any reason other than (a) following a
     Change of Control,  or (b) by the Executive for a Good Reason or (c) by the
     Company other than for Cause (including without limitation in the event the
     Company  elects at any time not to  automatically  extend  the  Executive's
     employment  hereunder  pursuant  to the second  sentence  of  Section  1(a)
     hereof), (i) the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, without prior
     written  consent  of the  Board,  participate  or engage  in,  whether as a
     director, officer, employee,  advisor,  consultant,  stockholder,  partner,
     joint  venturer,  owner or in any other capacity  (other than as an outside
     attorney or  investment  banker),  any business  engaged in the business of
     furnishing  oil  field  services  or the  drilling,  production  or sale of
     natural gas or crude oil (a  "Competing  Enterprise"),  provided,  however,
     that the Executive shall not be deemed to be  participating  or engaging in
     any such  business  solely by virtue of his ownership of not more than five
     percent of any class of stock or other  securities which is publicly traded
     on a  national  securities  exchange  or in a  recognized  over-the-counter
     market;  and (ii) the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly  solicit,
     raid,  entice or otherwise induce any employee of the Company or any of its
     Subsidiaries to be employed by a Competing Enterprise.

7.   Enforceability.  If any provision of this Agreement shall be deemed invalid
     or  unenforceable  as written,  this Agreement  shall be construed,  to the
     greatest extent possible, or modified, to the extent allowable by law, in a
     manner which shall render it valid and  enforceable  and any  limitation on
     the scope or duration of any such provision  necessary to make it valid and
     enforceable  shall  be  deemed  to be a  part  thereof.  No  invalidity  or
     unenforceability  of any provision  contained herein shall affect any other
     portion of this Agreement  unless the provision  deemed to be so invalid or
     unenforceable is a material element of this Agreement, taken as a whole.

8.   Legal Expenses.  The Company shall also pay the Executive's reasonable fees
     for legal and other related  expenses  associated with any disputes arising
     hereunder or under the stock option agreements referred to herein if either
     a court of competent  jurisdiction  shall render a final judgement in favor
     of the  Executive  on the issues in such  dispute,  from which  there is no
     further  right  of  appeal.  If it  shall be  determined  in such  judicial
     adjudication or arbitration that the Executive is successful on some of the
     issues in such dispute,  but not all, then the Executive  shall be entitled
     to  receive a portion of such  legal  fees and other  expenses  as shall be
     appropriately prorated.

9.   Notices.  All notices which the Company is required or permitted to give to
     the Executive  shall be given by registered or certified  mail or overnight
     courier, with a receipt obtained, addressed to the Executive at the address
     referred to above, or at such other place as the Executive may from time to
     time designate in writing, or by personal delivery,  and to counsel for the
     Executive  as may be  requested  in writing by the  Executive  from time to
     time.  All notices  which the Executive is required or permitted to give to
     the Company  shall be given by  registered  or certified  mail or overnight
     courier,  with a receipt obtained,  addressed to the Company at the address
     set forth above,  or at such other  address as the Company may from time to
     time designate in writing, or by personal delivery,  and to counsel for the
     Company as may be  requested  in writing by the  Company.  A notice will be
     deemed given upon the mailing  thereof or delivery to an overnight  courier
     for  delivery  the next  business  day,  except  for a notice  of change of
     address, which will not be effective until receipt, and except as otherwise
     provided in Section 5(a).

10.  Waivers.  No waiver by either party of any breach or  nonperformance of any
     provision or obligation of this Agreement shall be deemed to be a waiver of
     any  preceding or succeeding  breach of the same or any other  provision of
     this Agreement.

11.  Headings;  Other Language. The headings contained in this Agreement are for
     reference  purposes  only  and  shall  in no  way  affect  the  meaning  or
     interpretation  of this Agreement.  In this  Agreement,  as the context may
     require,  the singular includes the plural and the singular,  the masculine
     gender  includes both male and female  reference,  the word "or" is used in
     the inclusive sense and the words "including",  "includes",  and "included"
     shall not be limiting.

12.  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may be executed in duplicate  counterparts,
     each of which  shall be deemed to be an  original  and all of which,  taken
     together, shall constitute one agreement.

13.  Agreement Complete; Amendments. Effective as of the Commencement Date, this
     Agreement, together with the stock option agreements referred to herein and
     the 1995 Stock  Option  Plan,  is the entire  agreement of the parties with
     respect to the subject matter hereof and  supersedes all prior  agreements,
     written or oral, with respect  thereto.  This Agreement may not be amended,
     supplemented,  canceled  or  discharged  except  by  a  written  instrument
     executed  by  both of the  parties  hereto,  provided,  however,  that  the
     immediately  foregoing  provision  shall not  prohibit the  termination  of
     rights and obligations  under this Agreement  which  termination is made in
     accordance with the terms of this Agreement.


14.  benefit of the successors and permitted  assigns of the respective  parties
     hereto.  This  Agreement  and the  rights  and  obligations  hereunder  are
     personal  to the  Company  and the  Executive  and are  not  assignable  or
     transferable to any other person,  firm or corporation  without the consent
     of the other party, except as contemplated  hereby;  provided,  however, in
     the event of the merger or consolidation of the Company, whether or not the
     Company is the surviving or resulting  corporation,  the transfer of all or
     substantially  all of  the  assets  of the  Company,  or the  voluntary  or
     involuntary  dissolution  of the Company,  then the  surviving or resulting
     corporation or the transferee or transferees of the Company's  assets shall
     be bound by this Agreement and the Company shall take all actions necessary
     to insure that such corporation, transferee or transferees are bound by the
     provision of this Agreement,  and provided,  further,  this Agreement shall
     inure  to  the  benefit  of  the  Executive's  estate,  heirs,   executors,
     administrators, personal and legal representatives, distributees, devisees,
     and legatees.  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 15,
     the Company  shall not be required to take all actions  necessary to insure
     that a transferee or transferees  of the Company's  assets are bound by the
     provisions of this  Agreement and such  transferee  or  transferees  of the
     Company's  shall not be bound by the  obligations of the Company under this
     Agreement  if the  Company  shall  have (a) paid to the  Executive  or made
     provision  satisfactory  to the Executive for payment to him of all amounts
     which are or may become  payable to him  hereunder in  accordance  with the
     terms hereof and (b) made provision  satisfactory  to the Executive for the
     continuance  of all benefits  required to be provided to him in  accordance
     with the terms hereof.

15.  Governing  Law. This Agreement will be governed and construed in accordance
     with the law of Maryland  applicable to agreements made and to be performed
     entirely within such state,  without giving effect to the conflicts of laws
     principles thereof.
 
16.  Survival.  The provisions of Sections 3, 5(d), (e), (f), (g) and (h), 6, 7,
     and 8 hereof,  and any restricted stock or stock option  agreement  entered
     into  pursuant  to  Section 3 hereof or during the  Executive's  employment
     hereunder shall survive the  termination of the  Executive's  employment as
     continuing and separate agreements between the parties.

17.  Subsidiaries.  As used  herein,  the  term  "Subsidiaries"  shall  mean all
     corporations a majority of the capital stock of which  entitling the holder
     thereof to vote is owned by the Company or a Subsidiary.

18.  Interpretation.  The Company and the Executive each  acknowledge  and agree
     that this  Agreement has been reviewed and negotiated by such party and its
     or his counsel,  who have contributed to its revision,  and the normal rule
     of  construction,  to the effect that any ambiguities are resolved  against
     the drafting party, shall not be employed in the interpretation of it.


IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties have executed this Agreement as of the day and
year first above written.

KEY ENERGY GROUP, INC.


By:________________________________
   Francis D. John
   President and Chief Executive Officer


   ____________________________________
   STEPHEN E. MCGREGOR





                                    EXHIBIT B

                             Company Paid Coverages



1.   Life Insurance  1,000,000  (with a physical  exam),  payable to beneficiary
     designated by the Executive.

2.   Long  Term  Disability  Insurance  Salary  continuation  benefit  for total
     disability.   Benefit  commences  with  ninetieth  day  of  disability  and
     continues to a maximum of age  sixty-five.  Annual maximum benefit shall be
     60% of the Base Salary.

4.   Medical and Dental Plan Comprehensive medical and dental plans available to
     the company's senior management

5.   Director and Officer Liability Insurance