EXHIBIT 99.1
 
                             LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
                                      FOR
                       10 3/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES
                                       OF
                       COMMONWEALTH ALUMINUM CORPORATION
                                PURSUANT TO THE
                                 EXCHANGE OFFER
                                 IN RESPECT OF
               ALL OF ITS OUTSTANDING 10 3/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED
                           NOTES DUE OCTOBER 1, 2006
                                      FOR
             10 3/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE OCTOBER 1, 2006
                            ------------------------
 
   
               PURSUANT TO THE PROSPECTUS DATED OCTOBER 22, 1996
    
 
   
THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON NOVEMBER 21,
1996 UNLESS THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS EXTENDED (THE "EXPIRATION DATE"). TENDERS OF
OLD NOTES MAY BE WITHDRAWN AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M. ON THE BUSINESS DAY
PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE.
    
 
               TO: HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK, EXCHANGE AGENT
 

                                                         
               BY MAIL:                     BY FACSIMILE:           BY HAND OR OVERNIGHT COURIER:
 
     Harris Trust and Savings Bank          (212) 701-7636          Harris Trust and Savings Bank
 c/o Harris Trust Company of New York                           c/o Harris Trust Company of New York
             P.O. Box 1010                                                 77 Water Street
          Wall Street Station                                                 4th Floor
          New York, NY 10268                                             New York, NY 10004
                                              CONFIRM BY
                                              TELEPHONE:
                                            (212) 701-7624
Attention: Mark Zimkind                                        Attention: Mark Zimkind

 
    DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS, OR TRANSMISSION VIA
TELEGRAM, TELEX OR FACSIMILE, OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE
A VALID DELIVERY. THE INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY
BEFORE THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED.
 
    HOLDERS WHO WISH TO BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE NEW NOTES FOR THEIR OLD NOTES
PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER MUST VALIDLY TENDER (AND NOT WITHDRAW) THEIR OLD
NOTES TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE.
 
   
    By execution hereof, the undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Prospectus
(the "Prospectus"), dated October 22, 1996, of Commonwealth Aluminum
Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), which, together with this
Letter of Transmittal and the instructions hereto (the "Letter of Transmittal"),
constitute the Company's offer (the "Exchange Offer") to exchange $1,000
principal amount of its 10 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes Due October 1, 2006
(the "New Notes") that have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"), pursuant to a Registration Statement of which
the Prospectus constitutes a part, for each $1,000 principal amount of its
outstanding 10 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes Due October 1, 2006 (the "Old
Notes"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the
Prospectus.
    
 
    This Letter of Transmittal is to be used by Holders if: (i) certificates
representing Old Notes are to be physically delivered to the Exchange Agent
herewith by Holders; (ii) tender of Old Notes is to be made by book-entry
transfer to the Exchange Agent's account at The Depository Trust Company ("DTC")
pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Prospectus under "The Exchange
Offer--Procedures for Tendering" by any financial institution that is a
participant in DTC and whose name appears on a security position listing as the
owner of Old Notes (such participants, acting on behalf of Holders, are referred
to herein, together with such Holders, as "Acting Holders"); or (iii) tender of
Old Notes is to be made according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set
forth in the Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering."
Delivery of documents to DTC does not constitute delivery to the Exchange Agent.

    The term "Holder" with respect to the Exchange Offer means any person: (i)
in whose name Old Notes are registered on the books of the Company or any other
person who has obtained a properly completed bond power from the registered
Holder; or (ii) whose Old Notes are held of record by DTC who desires to deliver
such Old Notes by book-entry transfer at DTC.
 
    The undersigned has completed, executed and delivered this Letter of
Transmittal to indicate the action the undersigned desires to take with respect
to the Exchange Offer. Holders who wish to tender their Old Notes must complete
this letter in its entirety.
 
    All capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the
meaning ascribed to them in the Prospectus.
 
    The instructions included with this Letter of Transmittal must be followed.
Questions and requests for assistance or for additional copies of the
Prospectus, this Letter of Transmittal and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may
be directed to the Exchange Agent. See Instruction 8 herein.
 
    HOLDERS WHO WISH TO ACCEPT THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND TENDER THEIR OLD NOTES
MUST COMPLETE THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IN ITS ENTIRETY.

    List below the Old Notes to which this Letter of Transmittal relates. If the
space provided below is inadequate, list the certificate numbers and principal
amounts on a separately executed schedule and affix the schedule to this Letter
of Transmittal. Tenders of Old Notes will be accepted only in principal amounts
equal to $1,000 or integral multiples thereof.
 


                                         DESCRIPTION OF OLD NOTES
                                                                         CERTIFICATE         AGGREGATE
                                                                         NUMBER(S)*          PRINCIPAL
                                                                       (ATTACH SIGNED         AMOUNT
                NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) OF HOLDER(S)                       LIST IF       TENDERED (IF LESS
                     (PLEASE FILL IN, IF BLANK)                          NECESSARY)         THAN ALL)**
                                                                                   
                     TOTAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF OLD NOTES TENDERED
 
*  Need not be completed by Holders tendering by book-entry transfer.
** Need not be completed by Holders who wish to tender with respect to all Old Notes listed. See
   Instruction 2.

 

/ /    CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OLD NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY DTC TO THE
       EXCHANGE AGENT'S ACCOUNT AT DTC AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
       Name of Tendering Institution: __________________________________________
       DTC Book-Entry Account No.: _____________________________________________
       Transaction Code No.: ___________________________________________________
 
If Holders desire to tender Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer and (i)
certificates representing such Old Notes are not lost but are not immediately
available, (ii) time will not permit this Letter of Transmittal, certificates
representing such Old Notes or other required documents to reach the Exchange
Agent prior to the Expiration Date or (iii) the procedures for book-entry
transfer cannot be completed prior to the Expiration Date, such Holders may
effect a tender of such Old Notes in accordance with the guaranteed delivery
procedures set forth in the Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for
Tendering."
 
/ /    CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OLD NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE
       OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY DELIVERED TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT AND
       COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
       Name(s) of Holder(s) of Old Notes: ______________________________________
       Window Ticket No. (if any): _____________________________________________
 
       Date of Execution of
     Notice of Guaranteed Delivery: ____________________________________________
 
       Name of Eligible Institution that Guaranteed Delivery:
       _________________________________________________________________________
 
       If Delivered by Book-Entry Transfer:
     Name of Tendering Institution: ____________________________________________
       DTC Book-Entry Account No.: _____________________________________________
       Transaction Code No.: ___________________________________________________
 
/ /    CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL
       COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS
       THERETO.
       Name: ___________________________________________________________________
       Address: ________________________________________________________________

Gentlemen:
 
    Subject to the terms of the Exchange Offer, the undersigned hereby tenders
to the Company the principal amount of Old Notes indicated above. Subject to and
effective upon the acceptance for exchange of the principal amount of Old Notes
tendered in accordance with this Letter of Transmittal, the undersigned sells,
assigns and transfers to, or upon the order of, the Company all right, title and
interest in and to the Old Notes tendered hereby. The undersigned hereby
irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Exchange Agent its agent and
attorney-in-fact (with full knowledge that the Exchange Agent also acts as the
agent of the Company and as Trustee under the Indenture for the Old Notes and
the New Notes) with respect to the tendered Old Notes with full power of
substitution to (i) deliver certificates for such Old Notes to the Company, or
transfer ownership of such Old Notes on the account books maintained by DTC,
together in either such case, with all accompanying evidences of transfer and
authenticity to, or upon the order of, the Company and (ii) present such Old
Notes for transfer on the books of the Company and receive all benefits and
otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of such Old Notes, all in
accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer. The power of attorney granted
in this paragraph shall be deemed irrevocable and coupled with an interest.
 
    The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that he or she has full power
and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer the Old Notes tendered hereby
and that the Company will acquire good and unencumbered title thereto, free and
clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances and not subject to
any adverse claim, when the same are acquired by the Company. The undersigned
also acknowledges that this Exchange Offer is being made in reliance upon an
interpretation by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission that the
New Notes issued in exchange for the Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer
may be offered for sale, resold and otherwise transferred by holders thereof
(other than any such holder that is an "affiliate" of the Company within the
meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act) without compliance with the
registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act provided
that such New Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of such holders business
and such holders have no arrangement with any person to participate in the
distribution of such New Notes. If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the
undersigned represents that it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage
in, a distribution of the New Notes.
 
    The undersigned represents that (i) the New Notes acquired pursuant to the
Exchange Offer are being obtained in the ordinary course of such holder's
business, (ii) such holder has no arrangements with any person to participate in
the distribution of such New Notes and (iii) such holder is not a "affiliate,"
as defined under Rule 405 of the Securities Act of the Company or, if such
holder is an affiliate, that such holder will comply with the registration and
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act to the extent applicable.
If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned represents that it is
not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of New Notes.
If the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive New Notes for its own
account in exchange for Old Notes that were acquired as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities, it acknowledges that it
will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such New Notes;
however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, the undersigned
will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of
the Securities Act.
 
    The undersigned will upon request, execute and deliver any additional
documents deemed by the Exchange Agent or the Company to be necessary or
desirable to complete the assignment and transfer of the Old Notes tendered
hereby.
 
    For purposes of the Exchange Offer, the Company shall be deemed to have
accepted validly tendered Old Notes when, and as if the Company has given oral
or written notice thereof to the Exchange Agent. If any tendered Old Notes are
not accepted for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer for any reason,
certificates for any such unaccepted Old Notes will be returned (except as noted
below with respect to tenders through DTC), without expense, to the undersigned
at the address shown below or at a different address shown below or at a
different address as may be indicated under "Special Issuance Instructions" as
promptly as practicable after the Expiration Date.
 
    All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred by this Letter of
Transmittal shall survive the death, incapacity or dissolution of the
undersigned and every obligation under this Letter of Transmittal shall be
binding upon the undersigned's heirs, personal representatives, successors and
assigns.

    The undersigned understands that tenders of Old Notes pursuant to the
procedures described under the caption "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for
Tendering" in the Prospectus and in the instructions hereto will constitute a
binding agreement between the undersigned and the Company upon the terms and
subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer.
 
    Unless otherwise indicated under "Special Issuance Instructions," please
issue the certificates representing the New Notes issued in exchange for the Old
Notes accepted for exchange and return any Old Notes not tendered or not
exchanged, in the name(s) of the undersigned (or in either such event in the
case of Old Notes tendered by DTC, by credit to the account at DTC). Similarly,
unless otherwise indicated under "Special Delivery Instructions," please send
the certificates representing the New Notes issued in exchange for the Old Notes
accepted for exchange and any certificates for Old Notes not tendered or not
exchanged (and accompanying documents, as appropriate) to the undersigned at the
address shown below the undersigned's signatures, unless, in either event,
tender is being made through DTC. In the event that both "Special Issuance
Instructions" and "Special Delivery Instructions" are completed, please issue
the certificates representing the New Notes issued in exchange for the Old Notes
accepted for exchange and return any Old Notes not tendered or not exchanged in
the name(s) of, and send said certificates to, the person(s) so indicated. The
undersigned recognizes that the Company has no obligation pursuant to the
"Special Issuance Instructions" and "Special Delivery Instructions" to transfer
any Old Notes from the name of the registered holder(s) thereof if the Company
does not accept for exchange any of the Old Notes so tendered.

 
                                PLEASE SIGN HERE
                  (TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL TENDERING HOLDERS OF
              OLD NOTES REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OLD NOTES ARE BEING
                                   PHYSICALLY
                              DELIVERED HEREWITH)
 
              This Letter of Transmittal must be signed by the
          Holder(s) of Old Notes exactly as their name(s) appear(s) on
          certificate(s) for Old Notes or, if tendered by a
          participant in DTC, exactly as such participant's name
          appears on a security position listing as the owner of Old
          Notes, or by person(s) authorized to become registered
          Holder(s) by endorsements and documents transmitted with
          this Letter of Transmittal. If signature is by a trustee,
          executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer
          or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative
          capacity, such person must set forth his or her full title
          below under "Capacity" and submit evidence satisfactory to
          the Company of such person's authority to so act. See
          Instruction 3 herein.
 
              If the signature appearing below is not of the
          registered Holder(s) of the Old Notes, then the registered
          Holder(s) must sign a valid proxy.
 

                                         
X.........................................  Date: ....................................
 
X.........................................  Date: ....................................
     SIGNATURE(S) OF HOLDER(S) OR AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY

 

                                                
Name(s):   .................................  Address:   .................................
 
           .................................             .................................
                    (PLEASE PRINT)                             (INCLUDING ZIP CODE)

 

                                         
Capacity: ................................  Area Code and Telephone No.: .............
 
Social Security No.: .....................

 
                   PLEASE COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 HEREIN
                 SIGNATURE GUARANTEE (See Instruction 3 herein)
              Certain Signatures Must Be Guaranteed by an Eligible
                                  Institution
 
          ............................................................
             (NAME OF ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION GUARANTEEING SIGNATURES)
 
          ............................................................
               (ADDRESS (INCLUDING ZIP CODE) AND TELEPHONE NUMBER
                         (INCLUDING AREA CODE) OF FIRM)
 
          ............................................................
                             (AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE)
 
          ............................................................
                                 (PRINTED NAME)
 
          ............................................................
                                    (TITLE)
 
          Date:.......................................................

                         SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS
                           (See Instruction 4 herein)
 
To be completed ONLY if certificates for Old Notes in a principal amount not
tendered are to be issued in the name of, or the New Notes issued pursuant to
the Exchange Offer are to be issued to the order of, someone other than the
person or persons whose signature(s) appear(s) within this Letter of Transmittal
or issued to an address different from that shown in the box entitled
"Description of Old Notes" within this Letter of Transmittal, or if Old Notes
tendered by book-entry transfer that are not accepted for purchase are to be
credited to an account maintained at DTC.
 
Name:...........................................................................
                                 (PLEASE PRINT)
 
Address:........................................................................
                                 (PLEASE PRINT)
 
 ...............................................................................
                                                                        ZIP CODE
 
 ...............................................................................
               TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
                        (SEE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 HEREIN)
 
                         SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
                           (See Instruction 4 herein)
 
To be completed ONLY if certificates for Old Notes in a principal amount not
tendered or not accepted for purchase or the New Notes issued pursuant to the
Exchange Offer are to be sent to someone other than the person or persons whose
signature(s) appear(s) within this Letter of Transmittal or to an address
different from that shown in the box entitled "Description of Old Notes" within
this Letter of Transmittal.
 
Name:...........................................................................
                                 (PLEASE PRINT)
 
Address:........................................................................
                                 (PLEASE PRINT)
 
 ...............................................................................
                                                                        ZIP CODE
 
 ...............................................................................
               TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
                        (SEE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 HEREIN)

                                  INSTRUCTIONS
     FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND THE
                                  SOLICITATION
 
    1.  DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND OLD NOTES.  The certificates
for the tendered Old Notes (or a confirmation of a book-entry transfer into the
Exchange Agent's account at DTC of all Old Notes delivered electronically), as
well as a properly completed and duly executed copy of this Letter of
Transmittal or facsimile hereof and any other documents required by this Letter
of Transmittal must be received by the Exchange Agent at its address set forth
herein prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. The
method of delivery of the tendered Old Notes, this Letter of Transmittal and all
other required documents to the Exchange Agent is at the election and risk of
the Holder and, except as otherwise provided below, the delivery will be deemed
made only when actually received by the Exchange Agent. Instead of delivery by
mail, it is recommended that the Holder use an overnight or hand delivery
service. In all cases, sufficient time should be allowed to assure timely
delivery. No Letter of Transmittal or Old Notes should be sent to the Company.
 
    Holders who wish to tender their Old Notes and (i) whose Old Notes are not
immediately available or (ii) who cannot deliver their Old Notes, this Letter of
Transmittal or any other documents required hereby to the Exchange Agent prior
to the Expiration Date must tender their Old Notes and follow the guaranteed
delivery procedures set forth in the Prospectus. Pursuant to such procedures:
(i) such tender must be made by or through an Eligible Institution; (ii) prior
to the Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent must have received from the Eligible
Institution a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
(by facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery) setting forth the name and
address of the Holder of the Old Notes, the certificate number or numbers of
such Old Notes and the principal amount of Old Notes tendered, stating that the
tender is being made thereby and guaranteeing that, within five business days
after the Expiration Date, this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof)
together with the certificate(s) representing the Old Notes (or a confirmation
of electronic delivery of book-entry delivery into the Exchange Agent's account
at DTC) and any of the required documents will be deposited by the Eligible
Institution with the Exchange Agent; and (iii) such properly completed and
executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof), as well as all other
documents required by this Letter of Transmittal and the certificate(s)
representing all tendered Old Notes in proper form for transfer (or a
confirmation of electronic mail delivery of book-entry delivery into the
Exchange Agent's account at DTC), must be received by the Exchange Agent within
five business days after the Expiration Date, all as provided in the Prospectus
under the caption "Guaranteed Delivery Procedures." Any Holder of Old Notes who
wishes to tender his Old Notes pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures
described above must ensure that the Exchange Agent receives the Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the Expiration
Date.
 
    All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of
receipt), acceptance and withdrawal of tendered Old Notes will be determined by
the Company in its sole discretion, which determination will be final and
binding. The Company reserves the absolute right to reject any and all Old Notes
not properly tendered or any Old Notes the Company's acceptance of which would,
in the opinion of counsel for the Company, be unlawful. The Company also
reserves the right to waive any irregularities or conditions of tender as to
particular Old Notes. The Company's interpretation of the terms and conditions
of the Exchange Offer (including the instructions in this Letter of Transmittal)
will be final and binding on all parties. Unless waived, any defects or
irregularities in connection with tenders of Old Notes must be cured within such
time as the Company shall determine. Neither the Company, the Exchange Agent nor
any other person shall be under any duty to give notification of defects or
irregularities with respect to tenders of Old Notes, nor shall any of them incur
any liability for failure to give such notification. Tenders of Old Notes will
not be deemed to have been made until such defects or irregularities have been
cured or waived. Any Old Notes received by the Exchange Agent that are not
properly tendered and as to which the defects or irregularities have not been
cured or waived will be returned without cost by the Exchange Agent to the
tendering Holders of Old Notes, unless otherwise provided in this Letter of
Transmittal, as soon as practicable following the Expiration Date.

    2.  PARTIAL TENDERS.  Tenders of Old Notes will be accepted in all
denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples in excess thereof. If less than
the entire principal amount of any Old Notes is tendered, the tendering Holder
should fill in the principal amount tendered in the third column of the chart
entitled "Description of Old Notes." The entire principal amount of Old Notes
delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been tendered unless
otherwise indicated. If the entire principal amount of all Old Notes is not
tendered, Old Notes for the principal amount of Old Notes delivered to the
Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated.
If the entire principal amount of all Old Notes is not tendered, Old Notes for
the principal amount of Old Notes not tendered and a certificate or certificates
representing New Notes issued in exchange of any Old Notes accepted will be sent
to the Holder at his or her registered address, unless a different address is
provided in the appropriate box on this Letter of Transmittal or unless tender
is made through DTC, promptly after the Old Notes are accepted for exchange.
 
    3.  SIGNATURES ON THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL; BOND POWERS AND ENDORSEMENTS;
GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURES.  If this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) is
signed by the registered Holder(s) of the Old Notes tendered hereby, the
signature must correspond with the name(s) as written on the face of the Old
Notes without alternation, enlargement or any change whatsoever.
 
    If this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) is signed by the
registered Holder(s) of Old Notes tendered and the certificate(s) for New Notes
issued in exchange therefor is to be issued (or any untendered principal amount
of Old Notes is to be reissued) to the registered Holder, such Holder need not
and should not endorse any tendered Old Note, nor provide a separate bond power.
In any other case, such holder must either properly endorse the Old Notes
tendered or transmit a properly completed separate bond power with this Letter
of Transmittal, with the signatures on the endorsement or bond power guaranteed
by an Eligible Institution.
 
    If this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) is signed by a person
other than the registered Holder(s) of any Old Notes listed, such Old Notes must
be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate bond powers signed as the name of the
registered Holder(s) appears on the Old Notes.
 
    If this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) or any Old Notes or bond
powers are signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians,
attorneys-in-fact, or officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary
or representative capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing, and
unless waived by the Company, evidence satisfactory to the Company of their
authority so to act must be submitted with this Letter of Transmittal.
 
    Endorsements on Old Notes or signatures on bond powers required by this
Instruction 3 must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
 
    Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) must be
guaranteed by an Eligible Institution unless the Old Notes tendered pursuant
thereto are tendered (i) by a registered Holder (including any participant in
DTC whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of Old Notes)
who has not completed the box set forth herein entitled "Special Issuance
Instructions" or the box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" or (ii) for
the account of an Eligible Institution.
 
    4.  SPECIAL ISSUANCE AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS.  Tendering Holders should
indicate, in the applicable spaces, the name and address to which New Notes or
substitute Old Notes for principal amounts not tendered or not accepted for
exchange are to be issued or sent, if different from the name and address of the
person signing this Letter of Transmittal (or in the case of tender of the Old
Notes through DTC, if different from DTC). In the case of issuance in a
different name, the taxpayer identification or social security number of the
person named must also be indicated.
 
    5.  TRANSFER TAXES.  The Company will pay all transfer taxes, if any,
applicable to the exchange of Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. If,
however, certificates representing New Notes or Old Notes for principal amounts
not tendered or accepted for exchange are to be delivered to, or are to be
registered or issued in the name of, any person other than the registered Holder
of the Old Notes tendered hereby, or if tendered Old Notes are registered in the
name of any person other than the person signing this Letter of Transmittal, or
if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of Old Notes
pursuant to the Exchange Offer, then the amount of any such transfer taxes
(whether imposed on the registered Holder or any other person) will be payable
by the tendering Holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or
exemption therefrom is not submitted with this Letter of Transmittal, the amount
of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to such tendering Holder.

    Except as provided in this Instruction 5, it will not be necessary for
transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the Old Notes listed in this Letter of
Transmittal.
 
    6.  WAIVER OF CONDITIONS.  The Company reserves the absolute right to amend,
waive or modify specified conditions in the Exchange Offer in the case of any
Old Notes tendered.
 
    7.  MUTILATED, LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED OLD NOTES.  Any tendering Holder
whose Old Notes have been mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed should contact
the Exchange Agent at the address indicated herein for further instruction.
 
    8.  REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE OR ADDITIONAL COPIES.  Questions and requests
for assistance and requests for additional copies of the Prospectus or this
Letter of Transmittal may be directed to the Exchange Agent at the address
specified in the Prospectus. Holders may also contact their broker, dealer,
commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the
Exchange Offer.
 
                         (DO NOT WRITE IN SPACE BELOW)
 

                                                              
    CERTIFICATE SURRENDERED              OLD NOTES TENDERED                OLD NOTES ACCEPTED
  DELIVERY PREPARED BY     CHECKED BY     DATE


                           IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION
 
    Under federal income tax laws, a Holder whose tendered Old Notes are
accepted for payment is required to provide the Exchange Agent (as payer) with
such Holder's correct TIN on Substitute Form W-9 below or otherwise establish a
basis for exemption from backup withholding. If such Holder is an individual,
the TIN is his social security number. If the Exchange Agent is not provided
with the correct TIN, a $50 penalty may be imposed by the Internal Revenue
Service, and payments made with respect to Old Notes purchased pursuant to the
Exchange Offer may be subject to backup withholding.
 
    Certain Holders (including, among others, all corporations and certain
foreign persons) are not subject to these backup withholding and reporting
requirements. Exempt Holders should indicate their exempt status on Substitute
Form W-9. A foreign person may qualify as an exempt recipient by submitting to
the Exchange Agent a properly completed Internal Revenue Service Form W-8,
signed under penalties of perjury, attesting to that Holder's exempt status. A
Form W-8 can be obtained from the Exchange Agent. See the enclosed "Guidelines
for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9" for
additional instructions.
 
    If backup withholding applies, the Exchange Agent is required to withhold
31% of any payments made to the Holder or other payee. Backup withholding is not
an additional federal income tax. Rather, the federal income tax liability of
persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax
withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be
obtained from the Internal Revenue Service.
 
PURPOSE OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
 
    To prevent backup withholding on payments made with respect to the Exchange
Offer, the Holder is required to provide the Exchange Agent with either: (i) the
Holder's correct TIN by completing the form below, certifying that the TIN
provided on Substitute Form W-9 is correct (or that such Holder is awaiting a
TIN) and that (A) the Holder has not been notified by the Internal Revenue
Service that the Holder is subject to backup withholding as a result of failure
to report all interest or dividends or (B) the Internal Revenue Service has
notified the Holder that the Holder is no longer subject to backup withholding;
or (ii) an adequate basis for exemption.
 
WHAT NUMBER TO GIVE THE EXCHANGE AGENT
 
    The Holder is required to give the Exchange Agent the TIN (E.G., social
security number or employer identification number) of the registered Holder of
the Old Notes. If the Old Notes are held in more than one name or are held not
in the name of the actual owner, consult the enclosed "Guidelines for
Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9" for
additional guidance on which number to report.

                   PAYER'S NAME: ____________________________
 

                                                                                          
SUBSTITUTE                        PART 1--PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR TIN IN THE                        ----------------------------
FORM W-9                          BOX AT RIGHT AND CERTIFY BY SIGNING                           Social Security Number
                                  AND DATING BELOW                                              OR
                                                                                                ----------------------------------
                                                                                                Employer Identification Number
 
Department of the Treasury        PART 2--Certification--Under Penalties of Perjury, I certify  PART 3--
Internal Revenue Service          that:                                                         Awaiting TIN  / /
Payer's Request for Taxpayer      (1) The number shown on this form is my correct Taxpayer
Identification Number (TIN)       Identification Number (or I am waiting for a number to be
                                     issued to me) and
                                  (2) I am not subject to backup withholding either because I
                                     have not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service
                                     ("IRS") that I am subject to backup withholding as a
                                     result of failure to report all interest or dividends, or
                                     the IRS has notified me that I am no longer subject to
                                     backup withholding.
 
                                  Certificate instructions--You must cross out item (2) in Part 2 above if you have been notified
                                  by the IRS that you are subject to backup withholding because of underreporting interest or
                                  dividends on your tax return. However, if after being notified by the IRS that you were subject
                                  to backup withholding you received another notification from the IRS stating that you are no
                                  longer subject to backup withholding, do not cross out item (2).
 
                                  SIGNATURE ------------------------------------------------------- DATE ------------------

 
NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING
      OF 20% OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO HOLDERS OF NEW NOTES PURSUANT TO THE
      EXCHANGE OFFER. PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF
      TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL
      DETAILS.
 
              YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU CHECKED
 
                      THE BOX IN PART 3 OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9.
 
             CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
 
    I certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer identification number
has not been issued to me, and either (a) I have mailed or delivered an
application to receive a taxpayer identification number to the appropriate
Internal Revenue Service Center or Social Security Administration Office or (b)
I intend to mail or deliver an application in the near future. I understand that
if I do not provide a taxpayer identification number within 60 days, 20 percent
of all reportable payments made to me thereafter will be withheld until I
provide a number.
 
- --------------------------------------  --------------------------------------
              Signature                                  Date
 

                 THE EXCHANGE AGENT FOR THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS:
 
                         HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK
 

                                                         
               BY MAIL:                     BY FACSIMILE:           BY HAND OR OVERNIGHT COURIER:
 
     Harris Trust and Savings Bank          (212) 701-7636          Harris Trust and Savings Bank
 c/o Harris Trust Company of New York                           c/o Harris Trust Company of New York
             P.O. Box 1010                                                 77 Water Street
          Wall Street Station                 CONFIRM BY                      4th Floor
          New York, NY 10268                  TELEPHONE:                 New York, NY 10004
        Attention: Mark Zimkind             (212) 701-7624             Attention: Mark Zimkind