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                                [INVACARE LOGO]

NEWS RELEASE
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         INVACARE AND SUBURBAN OSTOMY SUPPLY GRANTED EARLY TERMINATION
                          OF ANTITRUST WAITING PERIOD


     ELYRIA, Ohio--January 6, 1998--Invacare Corporation (NASDAQ:IVCR) and
Suburban Ostomy Supply Co., Inc. (NASDAQ:SOSC), announced today that, in
connection with Invacare's previously announced tender offer for its wholly
owned subsidiary, Inva Acquisition Corp., to acquire all of the outstanding
shares of common stock of Suburban Ostomy Supply Co., Inc., the U.S. Department
of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission have granted Invacare and Suburban
early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
Improvements Act of 1976.

     Early termination of the waiting period satisfies one of the conditions of
the tender offer pursuant to the merger agreement among Invacare, Inva
Acquisition Corp. and Suburban, announced December 17, 1997. The tender offer,
for $11.75 per share, is still subject to certain other conditions and is
scheduled to expire at Midnight, New York City time, January 22, 1998, unless
extended.

     Suburban Ostomy Co., Inc., which completed its initial public offering in
October 1996, is a direct marketing wholesaler of medical supplies and related
products to the home health care industry. The company sells products to over
23,000 customers, including: home medical equipment suppliers and pharmacies;
home health agencies; national home health care chains; and managed care
organizations. Through its direct sales and marketing programs, the company
markets a comprehensive selection of more than 7,000 stock keeping units,
primarily products for ostomy, incontinence, diabetic and wound care.

     Invacare's headquarters are in Elyria, OH, with manufacturing plants in
the United States, Australia, Canada, Germany, France, Mexico, New Zealand,
Portugal, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Products are distributed
worldwide through more than 10,000 professional home health care providers,
institutions and retail outlets.   

    CONTACT:  Media Inquiries: Susan A. Elder, 
                               Manager of Corporate Communications, 440/329-6549
              Investor Inquiries: Thomas R. Miklich, 
                                  Chief Executive Officer, 440/329-6111