ILM SENIOR LIVING, INC.
                                     AND
                      CAPITAL SENIOR LIVING CORPORATION
                                AGREE TO MERGE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
- ---------------------

         Boston, Monday, February 8, 1998 - ILM Senior Living, Inc. ("ILM I")
announced today that it has entered into an agreement and plan of merger with
Capital Senior Living Corporation ("Capital") (NYSE: CSU), pursuant to which ILM
I will be merged with and into a wholly-owned acquisition subsidiary of 
Capital. The aggregate value of the consideration to be paid in the Merger to
ILM I's shareholders is $95,890,000 (or $12.75 per outstanding share of ILM I's
common stock) and will consist of 65% cash and 35% convertible preferred equity
securities issued by a newly established grantor trust and wholly-owned
subsidiary of Capital. Each preferred trust security will have a stated
liquidation preference of $25 and will be convertible into 1.5686 shares of
Capital's common stock at a conversion price per share of $15.94 (subject to
certain anti-dilution adjustments). Capital has agreed in the Merger Agreement
to list the convertible preferred trust securities (and the Capital common stock
underlying such securities) on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. ("NYSE"). At
the close of business on February 5, 1999, the closing sale price of Capital's
common stock was $12.75, and 7,520,100 shares of ILM I common stock were issued
and outstanding.

         Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, ILM I's stockholders will have the
right to elect to receive any combination of cash and convertible preferred
trust securities as they may designate, subject to proration in the case of
oversubscriptions. In no event will the amount of cash to be paid in the Merger
by Capital exceed 65% of the aggregate merger consideration (i.e., $62,328,500),
and in no event will the amount of convertible preferred trust securities to be
issued in the Merger by Capital exceed 35% of the aggregate merger consideration
(i.e. 1,342,460 shares). The transaction is intended to be reported as a fully
taxable acquisition by Capital of ILM I and will be recorded as a purchase by
Capital for accounting purposes. The Merger Agreement further provides that at
the effective time of the Merger, Capital's Board of Driectors will be increased
to include certain directors designated by ILM I.

         Upon termination of the Merger Agreement under certain circumstances,
Capital would be entitled to receive up to $500,000 of transaction expenses,
plus liquidated damages of $3,835,600.

         Consummation of the transaction (which is expected to occur during the
third quarter of 1999) is subject to certain conditions, including, without
limitation, (i) approval of the Merger Agreement and the Merger by the holders
of not less than 66-2/3% of the outstanding ILM I common stock, (ii) approval by
the requisite holders of Capital's common stock of certain transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement 



and the Merger, (iii) the receipt of all requisite approvals by applicable
public and regulatory authorities, (iv) the listing on the NYSE of the preferred
trust securities (and the shares of Capital common stock underlying such
securities), (v) the transfer to ILM I of certain assets owned by ILM I's
wholly-owned subsidiary (together with the mortgages thereon) and the
liquidation of such subsidiary pursuant to Section 332 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended, and (vi) certain other conditions to closing customary
in transactions such as the Merger.

         Simultaneously with entering into the Merger Agreement, ILM II Senior
Living, Inc. ("ILM II") entered into an agreement and plan of merger with
Capital and certain of its subsidiaries providing for the merger of ILM II with
and into a wholly-owned acquisition subsidiary of Capital, for consideration
consisting of cash and convertible preferred trust securities, having an
aggregate value of $74,110,000 (or $14.30 per outstanding share of ILM II common
stock). Consummation of the ILM II merger is not a condition to consummation of
the ILM I merger. ILM I has agreed, however, to transfer its interest in certain
property to ILM II if the ILM II merger is consummated but the ILM I merger is
not consummated. ILM II has made the reciprocal agreement in its merger
agreement with Capital.

         J. William Sharman, Jr., Chairman and CEO of ILM I, stated: "We believe
that this strategic merger provides our shareholders with an opportunity both
for liquidity and the ability to participate in the potential growth of the
senior living industry. Capital has managed our facilities since 1996 and this
Merger ensures that there should be no disruption of services at the property
level."

         ILM Senior Living, Inc. together with ILM II Senior Living, Inc. and
affiliates own 13 senior living communities in nine states with approximately
1,900 units.

                                  *   *   *

         This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" which
are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual
results to differ materially from historical results, certain of which are
beyond ILM I's control. These and other risks are set forth in ILM I's periodic
reports filed with the Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended. The words "believe," "expect," "should," "anticipate," "will,"
"may," "potential," "intend" and analogous expressions identify forward-looking
statements.


                                       For further information, contact:

                                       J. William Sharman, Jr.
                                       (713) 224-6000