AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON            , 1996
    
 
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-01303
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                           --------------------------
   
                         PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-3
            REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
    
 
                            DRESSER INDUSTRIES, INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)
 

                     
       DELAWARE                    75-0813641
      (State of          (I.R.S. Employer Identification
    incorporation)                    No.)

 
                           --------------------------
 
                                2001 ROSS AVENUE
                              DALLAS, TEXAS 75201
                                 (214) 740-6000
              (Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
       including area code, of Registrant's principal executive offices)
                         ------------------------------
 
                               REBECCA R. MORRIS
                VICE PRESIDENT - CORPORATE COUNSEL AND SECRETARY
                                2001 ROSS AVENUE
                              DALLAS, TEXAS 75201
                                 (214) 740-6000
           (Name, Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)
                           --------------------------
 
          APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO PUBLIC:
   
From  time to time  after the effective  date of this  Registration Statement as
determined by market conditions.
    
                           --------------------------
 
    If the  only securities  being registered  on this  Form are  being  offered
pursuant  to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box.  / /
 
    If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered  on
a  delayed or continuous basis pursuant to  Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other  than securities  offered in  connection with  dividend or  interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box.  /X/
 
    If  this Form  is filed  to register  additional securities  for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list  the  Securities  Act  registration statement  number  of  the  earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering.  / /
 
    If  this Form  is a post-effective  amendment filed pursuant  to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act,  check the following box  and list the Securities  Act
registration  statement number  of the earlier  effective registration statement
for the same offering.  / /
 
    If delivery of the prospectus is expected  to be made pursuant to Rule  434,
please check the following box.  / /
                           --------------------------
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 


                                                          PROPOSED          PROPOSED
             TITLE OF                                     MAXIMUM           MAXIMUM
            SECURITIES                   AMOUNT           OFFERING         AGGREGATE         AMOUNT OF
              TO BE                      TO BE             PRICE            OFFERING        REGISTRATION
            REGISTERED               REGISTERED (1)   PER UNIT (2)(3)     PRICE (2)(3)          FEE
                                                                              
Debt Securities...................    $400,000,000          100%          $400,000,000      $137,931.03

 
(1)  In U.S.  dollars or  the equivalent  thereof in  foreign currencies  or, if
    Securities are issued with an original issue discount, such amount as  shall
    result   in  an  aggregate  offering  price   of  all  Securities  equal  to
    $400,000,000 and the proposed maximum  offering price per security shall  be
    correspondingly decreased.
 
(2) Estimated solely for the purposes of calculating the registration fee.
 
(3) Plus accrued interest, if any, from the date of issuance.
                           --------------------------
 
    THE  REGISTRANT HEREBY  AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION  STATEMENT ON  SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A  FURTHER  AMENDMENT  WHICH SPECIFICALLY  STATES  THAT  THIS  REGISTRATION
STATEMENT  SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN  ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT  OF 1933  OR UNTIL  THE REGISTRATION  STATEMENT SHALL  BECOME
EFFECTIVE  ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
                           --------------------------
 
   
    PURSUANT TO RULE 429 OF THE SECURITIES  ACT OF 1933, THE PROSPECTUS IN  THIS
REGISTRATION  STATEMENT ALSO RELATES TO $100  MILLION IN PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THE
REGISTRANT'S DEBT SECURITIES REMAINING UNDER REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-3,
NO. 33-59562, WHICH WAS DECLARED EFFECTIVE ON  JUNE 7, 1993. THE AMOUNT OF  DEBT
SECURITIES  BEING  REGISTERED,  TOGETHER  WITH  THE  REMAINING  DEBT  SECURITIES
REGISTERED UNDER REGISTRATION  STATEMENT ON FORM  S-3, NO. 33-59562,  REPRESENTS
THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF DEBT SECURITIES WHICH ARE EXPECTED TO BE OFFERED FOR SALE.
THIS  REGISTRATION STATEMENT  ALSO CONSTITUTES  AMENDMENT NO.  3 TO REGISTRATION
STATEMENT ON FORM S-3, NO. 33-59562 WITH THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS  REGISTRATION
STATEMENT  ON FORM S-3, NO. 333-01303 AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(C) OF THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933.
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                EXPLANATORY NOTE
 
    This  Registration Statement contains a  Prospectus relating to $500,000,000
aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities of Dresser Industries, Inc. If any
Debt  Securities  are  thereafter  offered  after  the  effectiveness  of   this
Registration  Statement, a Prospectus Supplement describing the particular terms
of such Debt  Securities and the  offering thereof will  be filed in  accordance
with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

INFORMATION   CONTAINED  HEREIN  IS  SUBJECT   TO  COMPLETION  OR  AMENDMENT.  A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT  RELATING TO  THESE SECURITIES  HAS BEEN  FILED WITH  THE
SECURITIES  AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES  MAY NOT BE  SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR  TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT  BECOMES
EFFECTIVE.  THIS  PROSPECTUS  SHALL  NOT  CONSTITUTE AN  OFFER  TO  SELL  OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE  SECURITIES
IN  ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER,  SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.

   
                             SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
                        PROSPECTUS DATED APRIL 19, 1996
    
 
PROSPECTUS
 
                                  $500,000,000
                            DRESSER INDUSTRIES, INC.
                                DEBT SECURITIES
 
                               ------------------
 
    Dresser Industries, Inc. (the "Company" or "Dresser") may offer from time to
time unsecured debt securities (the "Debt Securities") consisting of debentures,
notes or  other evidences  of indebtedness  with an  aggregate initial  offering
price not to exceed $500,000,000. The Debt Securities may be offered as separate
series  in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of sale.
The specific  designation,  aggregate  principal  amount,  rate  (or  method  of
calculation)  and time of payment of interest, if any, authorized denominations,
maturity, ranking, any redemption terms,  any listing on a securities  exchange,
the  initial public offering  price and other specific  terms in connection with
the offering and sale of the Debt Securities in respect of which this Prospectus
is being delivered will be set forth in an applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
                            ------------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT  BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED  BY THE SECURITIES  AND
 EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
  AND  EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
   ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS.  ANY          REPRESENTATION  TO
                      THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                            ------------------------
 
   
    The  Debt Securities  will be sold  either through  underwriters, dealers or
agents, or directly by  the Company. The  applicable Prospectus Supplement  will
set  forth the names of  any underwriters or agents involved  in the sale of the
Debt Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered, if  any,
the  proposed  amounts,  if  any,  to  be  purchased  by  underwriters  and  the
compensation, if any, of such underwriters or agents.
    
 
    This Prospectus  may not  be used  to consummate  sales of  Debt  Securities
unless accompanied by a Prospectus Supplement.
 
                            ------------------------
 
   
                 The date of this Prospectus is April   , 1996.
    

                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
   
    The  Company is subject to the  informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act  of 1934,  as  amended (the  "Exchange  Act"), and,  in  accordance
therewith,  files reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange
Commission  (the  "Commission").  Such  reports,  proxy  statements,  and  other
information  can be inspected and  copied at the offices  of the Commission, 450
5th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549,  Room 1024; CITICORP Center, 500  West
Madison  Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60621-2511; and Seven World Trade
Center, New York, New York 10048. Copies  of such material can also be  obtained
from  the Public Reference  Section of the  Commission at 450  5th Street, N.W.,
Judiciary Plaza,  Washington,  D.C.  20549 at  prescribed  rates.  Additionally,
reports,  proxy  statements  and  other information  concerning  Dresser  can be
inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad  Street,
New  York, New  York 10005  and at  the offices  of the  Pacific Stock Exchange,
Incorporated, 301  Pine  Street,  San  Francisco,  California  94014,  on  which
Exchanges the Company's Common Stock is listed.
    
 
    The  Company has filed with the  Commission a registration statement on Form
S-3 (together with all amendments,  supplements, and exhibits thereto,  referred
to as the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act"), with respect to the Debt Securities offered hereby. This
Prospectus,  which forms a part of  the Registration Statement, does not contain
all the information set  forth in the Registration  Statement, certain parts  of
which  are  omitted  in  accordance  with  the  rules  and  regulations  of  the
Commission.  For  further   information,  reference  is   hereby  made  to   the
Registration Statement.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
   
    The  following  documents, which  have been  filed by  the Company  with the
Commission, are incorporated herein by reference:
    
 
   
    1.  The  Company's Annual  Report on  Form 10-K  for its  fiscal year  ended
       October 31, 1995; and
    
 
   
    2.  The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended January
       31, 1996.
    
 
    All  documents filed by the Company pursuant  to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date hereof and prior to the termination  of
the  offering  of the  Debt  Securities offered  hereby  shall be  deemed  to be
incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of filing
of such documents.
 
    Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference herein shall
be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes hereof to the extent that  a
statement  contained herein (or  in any other  subsequently filed document which
also is incorporated by reference herein) modifies or supersedes such statement.
Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed to constitute a part
hereof except as so modified or superseded.
 
    The Company  will  furnish  without  charge to  each  person  to  whom  this
Prospectus  is delivered, upon written or oral request,  a copy of any or all of
the documents incorporated herein by  reference (not including exhibits to  such
documents,  unless such exhibits  are specifically incorporated  by reference in
such documents).  Requests  should  be  addressed  to:  The  Secretary,  Dresser
Industries,   Inc.,  P.  O.  Box  718,   Dallas,  Texas  75221,  (Telephone  No.
214/740-6000).
 
                                       2

                                  THE COMPANY
 
    Dresser  Industries,  Inc.,  together  with  its  subsidiaries  (hereinafter
"Dresser" or "Registrant" or the "Company"), is a supplier of highly  engineered
products,   technical   services   and   project   management   for  hydrocarbon
energy-related activities that are primarily  utilized in oil and gas  drilling,
production and transmission; gas distribution; power generation; gas processing;
petroleum  refining  and  marketing; and  petrochemical  production.  Demand for
Dresser's products and  services is  generally determined by  global demand  for
energy  and oil and gas by-products. Dresser  was incorporated under the laws of
Delaware in 1956 as a successor to a Pennsylvania corporation organized in  1938
by  the consolidation  of S.  R. Dresser  Manufacturing Company  and Clark Bros.
Company. Both were carrying on  businesses founded in 1880. Dresser's  executive
offices  are located at 2001 Ross  Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75201 (telephone number
214/740-6000).
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
    Unless otherwise stated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Company
will use the net proceeds from the sale of Debt Securities for general corporate
purposes, including  acquisitions, the  reduction  of short-term  and  long-term
borrowing,   repurchase   of   Company  securities   and   for   other  business
opportunities. Any specific  allocation of the  net proceeds of  an offering  of
Debt  Securities will be described in  the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The
precise amount and timing of sales of  the Debt Securities will be dependent  on
the  Company's capital requirements, market  conditions and the availability and
cost of other funds to the Company.
 
                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
    The following table sets forth the  consolidated ratio of earnings to  fixed
charges  for the  Company for the  periods indicated. For  purposes of computing
such  ratio,  earnings  consist  of  income  before  (i)  taxes,  (ii)  minority
interests,  (iii) extraordinary items, (iv) amortization of capitalized interest
and (v)  fixed charges  (adjusted  to exclude  capitalized interest)  and  after
adjustment  for unremitted  earnings of  less than  majority owned subsidiaries.
Fixed charges consist  of interest  on all indebtedness,  amortization and  debt
expense,  discount and premium and  a portion of rentals  deemed to represent an
interest factor.
 
   


     3 MONTHS
 ENDED JANUARY 31                    YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31
- -------------------  -----------------------------------------------------
       1996            1995       1994       1993       1992       1991
- -------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                  
          4.90            6.29     10.90*       4.77       2.96       4.08

    
 
- ------------------------
* Ratio of 6.43 excluding gain on sale of Western Atlas International, Inc.
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
   
    The Debt Securities are to be  issued under an Indenture (the  "Indenture"),
dated  as of April 18, 1996 between the Company and Texas Commerce Bank National
Association, as Trustee (the "Trustee"). A copy of the Indenture is filed as  an
exhibit  to  the  Registration  Statement. The  following  summaries  of certain
provisions of the Indenture do  not purport to be  complete, and are subject  to
and are qualified in their entirety by reference to all of the provisions of the
Indenture,  including the  definitions of  certain terms  used therein. Wherever
particular sections or  defined terms of  the Indenture are  referred to, it  is
intended  that such  sections or defined  terms shall be  incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety. Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the
meanings given to them in the Indenture. Further terms of the Debt Securities in
respect of which this  Prospectus is being  delivered will be  set forth in  the
applicable Prospectus Supplement.
    
 
                                       3

GENERAL
 
    Debt  Securities  consisting of  debentures,  notes and  other  evidences of
indebtedness ranking on  a parity  with all other  unsecured and  unsubordinated
indebtedness  of the Company may be issued from time to time in series under the
Indenture. The Indenture does not limit  the aggregate principal amount of  Debt
Securities  or of any particular  series of Debt Securities  which may be issued
thereunder.
 
   
    Reference is made to the applicable Prospectus Supplement for the  following
terms  and other information  with respect to the  Debt Securities being offered
hereby: (i) the title of such Debt  Securities; (ii) any limit on the  aggregate
principal  amount of such Debt Securities; (iii) the date or dates (or manner of
determining the same) on which such  Debt Securities will mature; (iv) the  rate
or  rates (or manner of determining the same) at which such Debt Securities will
bear interest, if  any, and  the date  or dates  from which  such interest  will
accrue; (v) the dates (or manner of determining the same) on which such interest
will  be payable and the  Regular Record Dates for  such Interest Payment Dates;
(vi) the  place or  places  where the  principal of  and  premium, if  any,  and
interest,  if any, on such Debt Securities will be payable; (vii) the obligation
of the Company, if any,  to redeem or purchase  Debt Securities pursuant to  any
mandatory  or optional sinking fund or analogous provisions; (viii) the date, if
any, after which, and  the price or  prices at which,  such Debt Securities  are
payable  pursuant to any  optional or mandatory  redemption provisions; (ix) the
denominations in which  such Debt  Securities will  be issuable,  if other  than
denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof; (x) whether such Debt
Securities  are to be issued as discounted  Debt Securities; (xi) any "Events of
Default" with respect  to such Debt  Securities in addition  to those  described
herein;  (xii) whether such Debt Securities are to be issued in whole or in part
in the form of one or more  global securities ("Global Securities") and, if  so,
the  identity of the depositary, if any,  for such Global Securities; and (xiii)
the identity of  any trustee,  authenticating agent, paying  agent or  registrar
with respect to such Debt Securities, if other than the Trustee; and (xiv) other
specific terms of such Debt Securities.
    
 
   
    Unless   otherwise  indicated  in   the  applicable  Prospectus  Supplement,
principal of and premium, if any, and  interest, if any, on the Debt  Securities
will be payable, and the transfer of the Debt Securities will be registrable, at
the  office or  agency of the  Trustee in Dallas,  Texas or New  York, New York,
except that, at the  option of the  Company, interest may be  paid by mailing  a
check  to the person  entitled thereto as  it appears on  the Security Register.
(SECTIONS 2.03, 4.06 AND 10.11) No service charge will be made to any Holder for
any transfer or exchange of Debt Securities, except that the Company may require
payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge  which
may be imposed in relation thereto. (SECTION 2.06)
    
 
    Some  or  all  of the  Debt  Securities  may be  issued  as  discounted Debt
Securities (bearing no interest or bearing interest at a rate which at the  time
of  issuance is below market  rates) to be sold  at a substantial discount below
their stated principal amount. Federal income tax consequences and other special
considerations applicable  to  any  such  discounted  Debt  Securities  will  be
described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
    There  are no covenants  or provisions contained in  the Indenture which may
afford Holders of Debt Securities protection in the event of a restructuring  or
other highly leveraged transaction involving the Company.
 
GLOBAL SECURITIES
 
   
    The  Debt Securities of  a series may be  issued in whole or  in part in the
form of one or more Global Securities  that will be deposited with or on  behalf
of  a depositary located in the United States (a "Depositary") identified in the
Prospectus Supplement relating to such series. (SECTIONS 1.01 AND 2.01)
    
 
BOOK-ENTRY DEBT SECURITIES
 
    Unless otherwise  indicated in  the applicable  Prospectus Supplement,  Debt
Securities which are to be represented by a Global Security to be deposited with
or on behalf of a Depositary will be
 
                                       4

represented  by a Global Security  registered in the name  of such Depositary or
its nominee. Upon  the issuance  of a Global  Security in  registered form,  the
Depositary  for such Global Security will credit, on its book-entry registration
and transfer system,  the respective  principal amounts of  the Debt  Securities
represented  by such Global  Security to the accounts  of institutions that have
accounts with such Depositary or  its nominee ("participants"). The accounts  to
be  credited shall  be designated  by the  underwriters or  agents of  such Debt
Securities or  by the  Company, if  such Debt  Securities are  offered and  sold
directly  by  the  Company. Ownership  of  beneficial interests  in  such Global
Securities will be limited  to participants or persons  that may hold  interests
through  participants. Ownership of beneficial interests by participants in such
Global Securities will be shown on, and the transfer of such ownership interests
will be  effected only  through, records  maintained by  the Depositary  or  its
nominee  for such Global  Security. Ownership of  beneficial interests in Global
Securities by persons that hold through  participants will be shown on, and  the
transfer  of such ownership  interests within such  participant will be effected
only  through  records  maintained  by  such  participant.  The  laws  of   some
jurisdictions  require  that  certain  purchasers  of  securities  take physical
delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such laws may impair the ability
to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Security.
 
    So long as the Depositary for a  Global Security in registered form, or  its
nominee,  is the  registered owner of  such Global Security,  such Depositary or
such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of
the Debt Securities represented by such  Global Security for all purposes  under
the  Indenture governing such Debt Securities. Except as set forth below, owners
of beneficial interests in such Global  Securities will not be entitled to  have
Debt  Securities of the series represented by such Global Security registered in
their names, will  not receive or  be entitled to  receive physical delivery  of
Debt Securities of such series in definitive form and will not be considered the
owners or holders thereof under the Indenture.
 
    Payment  of principal of and premium, if  any, and interest, if any, on Debt
Securities registered in the name of or held by a Depositary or its nominee will
be made to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the  registered
owner  or holder of the Global  Security representing such Debt Securities. None
of the Company, the  Trustee, any Paying  Agent or the  Registrar for such  Debt
Securities  will  have any  responsibility or  liability for  any aspect  of the
records relating  to  or  payments  made  on  account  of  beneficial  ownership
interests  in a  Global Security  for such  Debt Securities  or for maintaining,
supervising or  reviewing  any records  relating  to such  beneficial  ownership
interests.
 
    The  Company expects that the Depositary for Debt Securities of a particular
series, upon receipt of  any payment of  principal of and  premium, if any,  and
interest,  if any, on  a Global Security,  will immediately credit participants'
accounts with payments in amounts  proportionate to their respective  beneficial
interests  in  the principal  amount of  such  Global Security  as shown  on the
records  of  such  Depositary.  The  Company  also  expects  that  payments   by
participants  to owners  of beneficial  interests in  such Global  Security held
through  such  participants  will  be  governed  by  standing  instructions  and
customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of
customers  in  bearer form  or  registered in  "street  name," and  will  be the
responsibility of such participants.  However, the Company  has no control  over
the  practices  of  the Depositary  or  the  participants and  there  can  be no
assurance that these practices will not be changed.
 
    A Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary
for such Global Security to a nominee of such Depositary or by a nominee of such
Depositary to such Depositary or another  nominee of such Depositary or by  such
Depositary or any such nominee to a successor of such Depositary or a nominee of
such successor. If a Depositary for Debt Securities of a particular series is at
any  time  unwilling  or  unable  to  continue  as  Depositary  and  a successor
Depositary is not  appointed by  the Company within  90 days,  the Company  will
issue  Debt Securities in definitive registered  form in exchange for the Global
Security or  Securities  representing such  Debt  Securities. In  addition,  the
Company  may at any  time and in its  sole discretion determine  not to have any
Debt Securities  in  definitive  registered  form in  exchange  for  the  Global
Securities  representing such Debt Securities. In any such instance, an owner of
a beneficial  interest  in  a  Global Security  will  be  entitled  to  physical
 
                                       5

   
delivery in definitive form of Debt Securities of the series represented by such
Global  Security equal  in principal amount  to such beneficial  interest and to
have such Debt Securities registered in its name. (SECTION 2.10)
    
 
RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES
 
   
    The various restrictive provisions of the Indenture apply to the Company and
its Restricted Subsidiaries. The term  "Restricted Subsidiary" is defined  under
the Indenture to include any Subsidiary existing as of the date of the Indenture
or  any  corporation  that is  the  successor  to such  a  Subsidiary.  The term
"Subsidiary" is defined under the Indenture to mean any corporation of which  at
least  a majority of the outstanding  capital stock having ordinary voting power
to elect a majority of the board of directors of said corporation is at the time
owned by the Company or by the Company and one or more Subsidiaries or by one or
more Subsidiaries. (SECTION 1.01)  As a result of  the definitions of the  terms
"Restricted  Subsidiary"  and  "Subsidiary" in  the  Indenture,  the restrictive
provisions of the Indenture  will not apply to  (i) any corporation coming  into
existence or acquired after the date of the Indenture or (ii) any partnership or
other  entity that is not organized as a corporation, in each case regardless of
whether such  corporation, partnership  or  other entity  is controlled  by  the
Company  or whether the Company owns a majority of the outstanding capital stock
of or other equity interests in  such corporation, partnership or other  entity.
As  of the date  of this Prospectus, a  material portion of  the business of the
Company is conducted through partnerships.
    
 
RESTRICTIONS ON SECURED DEBT
 
   
    The Indenture provides  that the  Company will not,  and will  not cause  or
permit  a  Restricted  Subsidiary to,  create,  incur, assume  or  guarantee any
Secured Debt unless the Debt Securities will be secured equally and ratably with
(or prior  to)  such  Secured  Debt,  with  certain  exceptions.  The  foregoing
restrictions  do not prohibit the  creation, incurrence, assumption or guarantee
of Secured Debt  which is secured  by (i) certain  Security Interests to  secure
payment  of the cost of acquisition, construction, development or improvement of
property, (ii) Security Interests on property at the time of its acquisition  by
the  Company  or  a  Restricted  Subsidiary,  which  Security  Interests  secure
obligations assumed  by  the Company  or  a  Restricted Subsidiary,  or  on  the
property  of a  corporation or other  entity at the  time it is  merged into the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Security Interests created in
contemplation of the acquisition of such property or the consummation of such  a
merger),  (iii) Security Interests arising  from conditional sales agreements or
title retention agreements with respect to property acquired by the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary and  (iv) Security  Interests securing  Indebtedness of  a
Restricted  Subsidiary owing to the Company or to another Restricted Subsidiary.
Additionally, such permitted  Secured Debt  includes any  extension, renewal  or
refunding,  in whole or  in part, of Secured  Debt permitted at  the time of the
original incurrence thereof. (SECTION 4.03)
    
 
   
    In addition to the  foregoing, the Company  and its Restricted  Subsidiaries
may create, incur, assume or guarantee Secured Debt, without equally and ratably
securing  the  Debt Securities,  if immediately  thereafter the  sum of  (i) the
aggregate principal amount  of all Secured  Debt outstanding (excluding  Secured
Debt  permitted  under clauses  (i) through  (iv)  of the  immediately preceding
paragraph) and (ii) all Attributable Debt (as hereinafter defined) in respect of
Sale and  Leaseback Transactions  (as hereinafter  defined) as  of the  date  of
determination would not exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets. (SECTION
4.03)
    
 
    The  term "Consolidated Net Tangible Assets"  is defined under the Indenture
to mean the total  amount of assets  which would be  included on a  consolidated
balance  sheet  of the  Company and  its  subsidiaries under  generally accepted
accounting principles (less  applicable reserves and  other properly  deductible
terms)  after deducting  therefrom: (i)  all short-term  liabilities, except for
liabilities payable  by  their  terms  more  than one  year  from  the  date  of
determination  (or renewable or  extendible at the  option of the  obligor for a
period ending more than one year after such date) and liabilities in respect  of
retiree  benefits other than pensions and  postemployment benefits for which the
Company is  required to  accrue pursuant  to Statement  of Financial  Accounting
Standards No. 106 and No. 112,
 
                                       6

   
respectively,   and  (ii)  all  goodwill,   trade  names,  trademarks,  patents,
unamortized debt discount, unamortized expense incurred in the issuance of  debt
and  other intangible assets. (SECTION 1.01) The term "Consolidated Net Tangible
Assets"  includes  the  assets  of  majority  owned  partnerships  that  do  not
constitute Restricted Subsidiaries. See "-- Restricted Subsidiaries."
    
 
    The  term  "Secured Debt"  is  defined under  the  Indenture to  include any
indebtedness for borrowed money  of, or upon which  interest is payable by,  the
Company  or  any  Restricted  Subsidiary  or  any  such  indebtedness  of others
guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary which is secured by (i) a
Security Interest in any property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or
(ii) a Security Interest in shares of stock owned by the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary in a corporation  or in equity  interests owned by  the Company or  a
Restricted  Subsidiary  in a  partnership  or other  entity  not organized  as a
corporation or  in the  rights of  the  Company or  a Restricted  Subsidiary  in
respect  of indebtedness  for money  borrowed by  a corporation,  partnership or
other entity  in which  the Company  or a  Restricted Subsidiary  has an  equity
interest.  The securing in  the foregoing manner of  any such indebtedness which
immediately prior  thereto  was not  Secured  Debt shall  be  deemed to  be  the
creation of Secured Debt at the time security is given.
 
RESTRICTIONS ON SALE AND LEASEBACK TRANSACTIONS
 
   
    The  Indenture provides that the  Company will not, and  will not permit any
Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction,  unless
(i) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled to incur Secured
Debt permitted by the Indenture (other than by reason of provisions described in
clauses  (i)  through (iv)  of  the first  paragraph  under "--  Restrictions on
Secured Debt") in an amount  equal to the Attributable  Debt in respect of  such
Sale  and Leaseback  Transaction without equally  and ratably  securing the Debt
Securities or (ii)  notice is  promptly given  to the  Trustee of  the Sale  and
Leaseback  Transaction, fair  value is received  by the Company  or a Restricted
Subsidiary for the  property sold  (as determined in  good faith  pursuant to  a
Board  Resolution  delivered to  the Trustee)  and the  Company or  a Restricted
Subsidiary applies or commits to  apply an amount equal  to the net proceeds  of
the  property  sold  pursuant  to  the Sale  and  Leaseback  Transaction  to the
redemption of Debt Securities  of any series or  the retirement of other  Funded
Debt  of the Company or  any Restricted Subsidiary not  subordinate or junior in
right of payment to the Debt Securities. In lieu of applying all or any part  of
such  amount to the  redemption of Debt  Securities or the  retirement of Funded
Debt, the Company may  deliver Debt Securities to  the Trustee for  cancellation
and thereby reduce the amount to be applied to the redemption of Debt Securities
or  retirement of  Funded Debt  by an  amount equal  to the  aggregate principal
amount of Debt Securities delivered. (SECTION 4.04)
    
 
   
    The term "Attributable  Debt" is  defined under  the Indenture  to mean,  in
respect  of a Sale  and Leaseback Transaction, the  present value (discounted at
the weighted average effective interest rate  per annum of the outstanding  Debt
Securities,  of all series,  compounded semi-annually) of  the obligation of the
lessee for rental payments  during the remaining term  of the lease included  in
such transaction, including any period for which such lease has been extended or
may, at the option of the lessor, be extended or, if earlier, until the earliest
date  on which the lessee may terminate such lease upon payment of a penalty (in
which case the obligation of the  lessee for rental payments shall include  such
penalty),  after  excluding  all  amounts  required to  be  paid  on  account of
maintenance and repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments, water and utility  rates
and similar charges. (SECTION 1.01)
    
 
   
    The  term "Sale and Leaseback Transaction" is defined under the Indenture to
include a  sale or  transfer made  by  the Company  or a  Restricted  Subsidiary
(except a sale or transfer made to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary)
of  any property if such sale or transfer  is made with the intention of leasing
such property to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, except (i) a lease  for
a  period not exceeding  60 months and (ii)  a lease that  secures or relates to
certain governmental obligations issued in connection with the financing of  the
cost of construction or acquisition of such property. (SECTION 1.01)
    
 
                                       7

RESTRICTIONS ON MERGERS, CONSOLIDATIONS AND TRANSFERS OF ASSETS
 
   
    The  Indenture provides that the Company  will not consolidate or merge into
or sell, assign, transfer  or lease all  or substantially all  of its assets  to
another  person unless (i) the person is  a corporation organized under the laws
of the United States of America or any state thereof, (ii) the person assumes by
supplemental indenture all the obligations of  the Company relating to the  Debt
Securities  and the  Indenture and (iii)  immediately after  the transactions no
Default exists.  Upon  any  such  consolidation,  merger,  sale,  assignment  or
transfer,  the successor corporation  will be substituted  for the Company under
the Indenture. The successor corporation may then exercise every power and right
of the Company under the Indenture, and the Company will be released from all of
its liabilities  and obligations  in  respect of  the  Debt Securities  and  the
Indenture.  In the  event the  Company leases  all or  substantially all  of its
assets, the lessee  corporation will  be the successor  to the  Company and  may
exercise  every power  and right  of the  Company under  the Indenture,  but the
Company will not be released  from its obligations to  pay the principal of  and
premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Debt Securities. (SECTION 5.01)
    
 
AMENDMENTS OF THE INDENTURE
 
   
    Amendments of the Indenture or the Debt Securities of any series may be made
by  the Company and the Trustee without the  consent of the Holders of such Debt
Securities (i) to cure  any ambiguity, defect or  inconsistency or to make  such
provisions  with respect to matters or  questions arising under the Indenture as
may be necessary or  desirable and not inconsistent  with the Indenture or  with
any  indenture  supplemental thereto  or any  Board Resolution  establishing any
series of  Debt Securities,  provided  that such  amendment does  not  adversely
affect the rights of the Holders thereof, (ii) to comply with the merger or sale
of assets provision in the Indenture, (iii) to add additional covenants, (iv) to
establish  the form or terms of Debt Securities of any additional series, (v) to
provide for the  acceptance of  appointment of a  successor Trustee  or (vi)  to
provide  for the issuance of Debt  Securities with interest coupons with respect
to any such series or (vii) to provide for the exchange of Global Securities for
Debt Securities issued in  definitive form and to  make all appropriate  changes
for such purpose. (SECTION 9.01)
    
 
   
    Amendments  of the Indenture affecting the  Debt Securities of any series or
amendments of the Debt Securities themselves of  such series may be made by  the
Company  and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of 66 2/3% in aggregate
principal amount of the Debt Securities  of such series, provided that,  without
the  consent of each Holder affected, no such amendment shall be made which will
(i) reduce  the percentage  in principal  amount of  the Debt  Securities  whose
Holders must consent to an amendment, (ii) reduce the rate of or change the time
for  payment of interest  on any Debt  Security, (iii) reduce  the principal of,
change the Stated  Maturity of, reduce  the amount payable  on redemption of  or
alter  the requirements with respect to the mandatory redemption, if any, of any
Debt Security, (iv)  make any  Debt Security payable  in money  other than  that
stated  in such Debt Security or (v) make any change in the Indenture provisions
with respect  to waiver  of  existing Defaults,  rights  of Holders  to  receive
payment and to bring suit for the enforcement of such rights, or the requirement
of  obtaining the written consent of  each affected Holder to certain amendments
of the Indenture or any Debt Security. (SECTION 9.02)
    
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
   
    An "Event  of Default"  with respect  to any  series of  Debt Securities  is
defined  under the  Indenture to  include: (i)  failure for  30 days  to pay any
interest on any Debt Security of such  series when due, (ii) failure to pay  the
principal  of and premium, if any, of any Debt Security of such series when due,
(iii) failure for 90 days after receipt of notice to perform any other agreement
of the Company with respect to Debt  Securities of such series or the  Indenture
for  the benefit  of Debt Securities  of such  series, (iv) a  default under any
bond, indenture, note or  other evidence of indebtedness  for money borrowed  by
the  Company  or a  Restricted Subsidiary  or under  any mortgage,  indenture or
instrument under which there may be issued, or by which there may be secured  or
evidenced,  any such  indebtedness with a  principal amount  then outstanding in
excess of  $25,000,000, which  default shall  constitute a  failure to  pay  any
portion  of the principal of  such indebtedness when due  or shall result in the
    
 
                                       8

   
acceleration of such indebtedness, (v) certain events of bankruptcy,  insolvency
or  reorganization of the  Company or a  Material Subsidiary and  (vi) any other
event established as an event of  default in accordance with the Indenture  with
respect to Debt Securities of such series. (SECTION 6.01)
    
 
   
    The  term "Material Subsidiary"  is defined under the  Indenture to mean any
consolidated subsidiary of the Company  (whether a corporation or a  partnership
or  other entity not organized as a corporation) if such consolidated subsidiary
would be deemed as of the date of determination a "significant subsidiary" under
the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. (SECTION 1.01)
    
 
   
    The Indenture  provides that  the Trustee  will, within  90 days  after  the
occurrence of a Default in respect of any series of Debt Securities, give to the
Holders of the Debt Securities of such series notice of all uncured and unwaived
Defaults  known to it; provided, however, that,  except in the case of a Default
in the payment of the principal of or any interest on any of the Debt Securities
of such  series, such  Trustee may  withhold such  notice if  it in  good  faith
determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders
of the Debt Securities of such series. (SECTION 7.05)
    
 
   
    If  an Event of  Default shall occur  and be continuing  with respect to any
series of Debt Securities,  the Trustee may proceed  to protect and enforce  its
rights  and those  of the  Holders of Debt  Securities of  such series. (SECTION
6.03) If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing with respect to  any
series  of Debt Securities, either the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in
principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series may declare the principal
of and accrued interest on all the Debt Securities of such series to be due  and
payable. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of
such  series may rescind an  acceleration and its consequences,  but only if all
existing Events of Default  with respect to the  Debt Securities of such  series
have  been cured or waived, except nonpayment  of principal or interest that has
become due solely because of the  acceleration. (SECTION 6.02) The Holders of  a
majority  in principal amount outstanding of  the Debt Securities of such series
may direct the Trustee as to the  time, method and place of pursuing any  remedy
available to it or exercising any trust or power conferred on it with respect to
the  Debt Securities  of such  series and  may waive  any existing  Default with
respect to the Debt Securities of such  series, except a Default in the  payment
of  principal of or interest on any Debt Security of such series. (SECTIONS 6.04
AND 6.05)
    
 
    The Company is required to furnish to the Trustee annually a statement as to
the absence of a Default. (SECTION 4.05)
 
DEFEASANCE OF THE INDENTURE AND DEBT SECURITIES
 
   
    The Company may at any time satisfy its obligations with respect to payments
of principal  of  and  premium, if  any,  and  interest, if  any,  on  the  Debt
Securities  of any  series by irrevocably  depositing in trust  with the Trustee
money or U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof sufficient to make
such payments  when due  without  reinvestment thereof.  If  such a  deposit  is
sufficient  to make all payments of (i) interest, if any, on the Debt Securities
of such series prior to and on their redemption or maturity, as the case may be,
and (ii) principal of and premium, if any, on the Debt Securities of such series
when due upon redemption or at Stated Maturity, as the case may be, then all the
obligations of the Company  with respect to the  Debt Securities of such  series
and  the Indenture insofar as  it relates to the  Debt Securities of such series
will  be  satisfied  and  discharged  (except  as  otherwise  provided  in   the
Indenture).  In the event of any such defeasance, Holders of the Debt Securities
of such series  would be able  to look only  to such trust  fund for payment  of
principal  of and premium, if any, and  interest, if any, on the Debt Securities
of such series  until Stated Maturity  or redemption. (SECTIONS  8.01, 8.02  AND
8.03)
    
 
    Such a Trust may only be established if, among other things, (i) the Company
has  obtained an opinion of legal counsel (which  may be based on a ruling from,
or published by, the Internal Revenue Service) to the effect that Holders of the
Debt Securities  of such  series will  not recognize  income, gain  or loss  for
federal  income  tax  purposes  as  a result  of  such  deposit,  defeasance and
discharge and will be subject to federal  income tax on the same amounts and  in
the same manner and at the same times as
 
                                       9

   
would  have been  the case  if such  deposit, defeasance  and discharge  had not
occurred and (ii) at that  time, with respect to  any series of Debt  Securities
then  listed on  The New York  Stock Exchange, the  rules of The  New York Stock
Exchange do not prohibit such deposit with the Trustee. (SECTION 8.02)
    
 
ANNUAL REPORTS BY THE TRUSTEE
 
   
    To the extent required by the Trust  Indenture Act of 1939, as amended  (the
"Trust  Indenture Act"), the Trustee shall, within  60 days after May 15 in each
year, furnish to each Holder of  Debt Securities an annual report that  complies
with  Section 313 of the Trust Indenture  Act. (SECTION 7.06) The Indenture does
not require that the Company or the Trustee furnish any other reports, documents
or information to the Holders of Debt Securities.
    
 
NOTICES AND COMMUNICATIONS
 
   
    Notices or communications  to Holders of  Debt Securities will  be given  by
first-class mail or by overnight air courier to the addresses of such Holders as
they appear in the Security Register. (SECTION 10.02)
    
 
   
    Holders  of Debt Securities may communicate  with other Holders with respect
to their  rights under  the Indenture  or the  Debt Securities  pursuant to  the
provisions  of Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act which require a trustee
to provide security  holders access  to information regarding  the addresses  of
other security holders in certain situations. (SECTION 10.03)
    
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
   
    The  Indenture and the Debt Securities will  be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Texas. (SECTION 10.13)
    
 
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
 
   
    The Trustee under the Indenture is Texas Commerce Bank National Association.
The Company maintains deposit accounts and banking relations with Texas Commerce
Bank National Association.
    
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
    The Company may sell the Debt Securities being offered hereby: (i)  directly
to  purchasers, (ii)  through agents,  (iii) through  underwriters, (iv) through
dealers, or (v) through a combination of any such methods of sale.
 
    The distribution of the Debt Securities may be effected from time to time in
one or more transactions  either (i) at  a fixed price or  prices, which may  be
changed,  (ii) at market prices prevailing at  the time of sale; (iii) at prices
related to such prevailing market prices; or (iv) at negotiated prices.
 
    Offers to purchase Debt Securities may be solicited directly by the  Company
or  by agents designated by the Company from time to time. Any such agent, which
may be deemed to be  an underwriter, as that term  is defined in the  Securities
Act,  involved in the offer  or sale of the Debt  Securities in respect of which
this Prospectus is delivered will be  named, and any commissions payable by  the
Company  to such agent  will be set  forth, in the  Prospectus Supplement or the
Pricing Supplement. Unless otherwise indicated  in the Prospectus Supplement  or
the  Pricing Supplement, any such  agent will be acting  on a best efforts basis
for the  period of  its appointment.  Agents  may be  customers of,  engaged  in
transactions  with, or perform services for,  the Company in the ordinary course
of business.
 
    If an underwriter or underwriters are utilized in the sale, the Company will
execute an underwriting agreement with  such underwriter or underwriters at  the
time  of sale to  them and the  names of the  underwriters and the  terms of the
transactions will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, which will be  used
by the underwriters to make resales of the Debt Securities.
 
    If  a dealer is  utilized in the sale  of the Debt  Securities in respect of
which this Prospectus is delivered, the  Company will sell such Debt  Securities
to  the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell such Debt Securities to
the public at  varying prices to  be determined by  such dealer at  the time  of
resale.
 
                                       10

    Underwriters,  dealers,  agents, and  other persons  may be  entitled, under
agreements which  may  be entered  into  with the  Company,  to  indemnification
against,  or contribution with respect  to, certain civil liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
    Underwriters and agents may engage in transactions with, or perform services
for, the Company in the ordinary course of business.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
   
    The validity of the  Debt Securities offered hereby  will be passed upon  by
Rebecca  R. Morris,  Vice President  -- Corporate  Counsel and  Secretary of the
Company (who owns 9,200 shares of  the Company's Common Stock and holds  options
to  purchase an additional 24,750 shares of such common stock coupled with 4,909
restrictive incentive stock awards.).
    
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
    The consolidated  financial statements  incorporated in  this Prospectus  by
reference  to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Dresser Industries, Inc. and its
subsidiaries for the year  ended October 31, 1995  have been so incorporated  in
reliance  on the report of Price  Waterhouse LLP, independent accountants, given
on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
 
                                       11

                                    PART II
 
                   INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
    The  following  is a  statement of  the estimated  expenses incurred  by the
Company in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being
registered pursuant to  this Registration Statement,  other than any  applicable
underwriting discounts.
 
   


                                                                                              AMOUNT
                                                                                          --------------
                                                                                       
 Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee....................................  $   137,931.03
*Trustee Fees and Expenses..............................................................       11,000.00
*Printing and Engraving Expenses........................................................       25,000.00
*Legal Fees and Expenses................................................................       25,000.00
*Accounting Fees and Expenses...........................................................       25,000.00
*Transfer Agent and Registrar Fees and Expenses.........................................        5,000.00
*Blue Sky Fees and Expenses (including legal fees and expenses).........................        6,500.00
*Miscellaneous..........................................................................        5,000.00
                                                                                          --------------
    Total...............................................................................  $   240,431.03
                                                                                          --------------
                                                                                          --------------

    
 
- ------------------------
   
* Estimated
    
 
ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
    Pursuant  to Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law ("DGCL"), a
corporation may indemnify any person who is  or was a party or is threatened  to
be  made a party to any action, suit,  or proceeding (other than an action by or
in the right  of the corporation)  by reason  of the fact  that he is  or was  a
director,  officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at
the request of  the corporation  as a director,  officer, employee  or agent  of
another  corporation,  partnership,  joint venture,  trust  or  other enterprise
against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts  paid
in  settlement, actually and reasonably incurred  by him in connection with such
action, suit  or proceeding  if  he acted  in  good faith  and  in a  manner  he
reasonably  believed  to be  in  or not  opposed to  the  best interests  of the
corporation, and, with  respect to  any criminal proceeding,  had no  reasonable
cause  to believe his conduct was  unlawful. In an action by  or in the right of
the Company,  a  corporation may  indemnify  any such  person  against  expenses
actually  and  reasonably incurred  by  him in  connection  with the  defense or
settlement of  such  action if  he  acted  in good  faith  and in  a  manner  he
reasonably  believed  to be  in  or not  opposed to  the  best interests  of the
corporation, except that  no indemnification  shall be  made in  respect of  any
claim  or  issue  as to  which  such person  is  adjudged  to be  liable  to the
corporation unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or
the court in  which such action  was brought shall  determine that, despite  the
adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such
person  is fairly and reasonably entitled  to indemnity for such expenses, which
the court shall deem proper. Indemnification, unless ordered by the court, shall
be made  by the  corporation only  as authorized  in the  specific case  upon  a
determination that indemnification of such person is proper in the circumstances
because  he has  met the applicable  standard of conduct.  Such determination is
made (1) by the board of directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting  of
disinterested  directors,  or  (2) by  independent  legal counsel  in  a written
opinion, or (3)  by the stockholders.  To the extent  that a director,  officer,
employee  or  agent  of a  corporation  has  been successful  on  the  merits or
otherwise in  defense  of  any  such  matter,  Section  145  requires  that  the
corporation  indemnify him against expenses  actually and reasonably incurred by
him in his defense. Further, expenses may be paid by the corporation in  advance
of  final disposition  of the  matter upon  receipt of  an undertaking  by or on
behalf of such director, officer, employee or  agent to repay such amount if  it
shall  ultimately be determined that he is  not entitled to be indemnified. Such
indemnification and advancement of expenses is not deemed exclusive of any other
right to  which  a director  or  officer might  be  entitled under  any  by-law,
agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors
 
                                      II-1

or  otherwise. Section 145 also empowers  a corporation to purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of any person who might be indemnified thereunder whether or
not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability
under such Section.
 
    The Company's Restated  Certificate of Incorporation,  as amended,  provides
for  indemnification of certain persons including  directors and officers to the
fullest extent permitted under Section  145 of the Delaware General  Corporation
Law.
 
    Insurance  is maintained by the Company covering certain expenses, liability
or losses which may be incurred by reason of his being a director or officer  of
the  Company or a  subsidiary corporation, partnership,  joint venture, trust or
other enterprise.
 
ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS
 
    The Exhibits  are listed  in  the Exhibit  Index immediately  preceding  the
Exhibits.
 
ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS
 
    (a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
 
        (1)  To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
    a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
 
           (i) To include  any prospectus  required by Section  10(a)(3) of  the
       Securities Act of 1933;
 
           (ii)  To reflect in the prospectus  any facts or events arising after
       the effective  date of  the registration  statement (or  the most  recent
       post-effective   amendment  thereof)   which,  individually   or  in  the
       aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in
       the registration statement;
 
          (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan  of
       distribution  not previously  disclosed in the  registration statement or
       any material change to such information in the registration statement;
 
      Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i)  and (a)(1)(ii) do not  apply
      if  the  registration  statement  is  on Form  S-3  or  Form  S-8  and the
      information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
      paragraphs is  contained  in  periodic reports  filed  by  the  Registrant
      pursuant  to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
      1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
 
        (2) That,  for  the  purpose  of determining  any  liability  under  the
    Securities  Act of 1933, each such  post-effective amendment shall be deemed
    to be  a  new registration  statement  relating to  the  securities  offered
    therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to
    be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
        (3)  To remove from registration by  means of a post-effective amendment
    any  of  the  securities  being  registered  which  remain  unsold  at   the
    termination of the offering.
 
    (b)  The  undersigned Registrant  hereby  undertakes that,  for  purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities  Act of 1933, each filing of  the
Registrant's  annual report  pursuant to Section  13(a) or Section  15(d) of the
Securities Exchange  Act of  1934  (and, where  applicable,  each filing  of  an
employee  benefit  plan's  annual  report  pursuant  to  Section  15(d)  of  the
Securities Exchange  Act of  1934)  that is  incorporated  by reference  in  the
registration  statement  shall  be deemed  to  be a  new  registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such  securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
    (c)  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes  that: (1) for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from
the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in  reliance
upon  Rule 430A and  contained in a  form of prospectus  filed by the registrant
pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1)  or (4) or  497(h) under the  Securities Act of  1933
shall  be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was
declared effective; and (2) for the
 
                                      II-2

purpose of determining  any liability  under the  Securities Act  of 1933,  each
post-effective  amendment that contains a form  of prospectus shall be deemed to
be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein,  and
the  offering of such securities at that time  shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.
 
    (d) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application  for
the  purpose  of  determining  the  eligibility  of  the  trustee  to  act under
subsection (a) of section 310 of  the Trust Indenture Act ("Act") in  accordance
with  the  rules  and regulations  prescribed  by the  Commission  under section
305(b)(2) of the Act.
 
    (e) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the  Securities
Act  may  be permitted  to  directors, officers  or  controlling persons  of the
Registrant pursuant to  the foregoing provisions,  or otherwise, the  Registrant
has  been advised that in the opinion  of the Commission such indemnification is
against public policy  as expressed  in the  Securities Act  and is,  therefore,
unenforceable.  In  the  event that  a  claim for  indemnification  against such
liabilities (other than the  payment by the Registrant  of expenses incurred  or
paid  by a  director, officer  or controlling  person of  the Registrant  in the
successful defense  of any  action,  suit or  proceeding)  is asserted  by  such
director,  officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the  matter
has  been settled  by controlling  precedent, submit  to a  court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such  indemnification by it is against  public
policy  as expressed  by the Securities  Act and  will be governed  by the final
adjudication of such issue.
 
                                      II-3

                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
    Pursuant  to the requirements of the  Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has  reasonable grounds to  believe that it  meets all of  the
requirements  for filing on Form S-3,  that the security rating requirement will
be met  by  the  time  of  sale of  the  securities  offered  pursuant  to  this
registration  statement, and has  duly caused this  registration statement to be
signed on its behalf by the  undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the  City
of Dallas, State of Texas, on April 18, 1996.
    
 
                                          DRESSER INDUSTRIES, INC.
 
                                          By:        /s/ GEORGE H. JUETTEN
 
                                             -----------------------------------
                                                     George H. Juetten,
                                                VICE PRESIDENT -- CONTROLLER
 
   
    Pursuant  to the requirements  of the Securities Exchange  Act of 1933, this
report has  been  signed  below  by  the following  persons  on  behalf  of  the
Registrant and in the capacities indicated on April 18, 1996.
    
 
   


                      SIGNATURE                                                 TITLE
- ------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------------
                                                     
 
                 *WILLIAM E. BRADFORD
     -------------------------------------------        Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal
           (William E. Bradford, Director)              Executive Officer)
 
                /s/ GEORGE H. JUETTEN
     -------------------------------------------        Vice President -- Controller
                 (George H. Juetten)                    (Principal Accounting Officer)
 
                   *B. D. ST. JOHN
     -------------------------------------------        Vice Chairman of the Board and Director
              (B. D. St. John, Director)                (Principal Financial Officer)
 
                *SAMUEL B. CASEY, JR.
     -------------------------------------------
           (Samuel B. Casey, Jr., Director)
 
               *LAWRENCE S. EAGLEBURGER
     -------------------------------------------
         (Lawrence S. Eagleburger, Director)
 
                   *SYLVIA A. EARLE
     -------------------------------------------
          (Sylvia A. Earle, Ph.D., Director)
 
                   *RAWLES FULGHAM
     -------------------------------------------
              (Rawles Fulgham, Director)
 
                    *JOHN A. GAVIN
     -------------------------------------------
              (John A. Gavin, Director)
 
                     *RAY L. HUNT
     -------------------------------------------
               (Ray L. Hunt, Director)
 
                  *J. LANDIS MARTIN
     -------------------------------------------
             (J. Landis Martin, Director)

    
 
                                      II-4

   


                      SIGNATURE                                                 TITLE
- ------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------------
                                                     
 
                   *JOHN J. MURPHY
     -------------------------------------------
        (John J. Murphy, Chairman of the Board
                    and Director)
 
                   *LIONEL H. OLMER
     -------------------------------------------
             (Lionel H. Olmer, Director)
 
                   *JAY A. PRECOURT
     -------------------------------------------
             (Jay A. Precourt, Director)
 
                  *RICHARD W. VIESER
     -------------------------------------------
            (Richard W. Vieser, Director)
 
          *By:           /s/ ALICE A. HINDS
                --------------------------------------
                    Alice A. Hinds
                  (ATTORNEY-IN-FACT)

    
 
                                      II-5

                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
   


EXHIBIT NO.                                       DESCRIPTION
- -----------  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                              
        *4   Form of Indenture.
        *5   Form of opinion of Rebecca R. Morris as to the legality of the securities being
             registered.
       *12   Statement of computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges.
     *23.1   Consent of Rebecca R. Morris is contained in her opinion attached as Exhibit 5.
     *23.2   Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP.
       *24   Powers of Attorney.
             Powers of Attorneys for Messrs. Casey and Vieser and Dr. Earle.
       *25   Statement as to Eligibility of the Trustee under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
             amended, on Form T-1.
        27   Financial Data Schedule is contained in Exhibit 27 to the Company's Quarterly Report
             on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended January 31, 1996. (Pursuant to Item 601(c)(iv) of
             Regulation S-K, the Financial Data Schedule is not deemed to be "filed" for purposes
             of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or Section 18, of the
             Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.)

    
 
- ------------------------
   
* Filed herewith.