LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

                            SF HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.

                        OFFER FOR ALL OF ITS OUTSTANDING
             13 3/4% SERIES A EXCHANGEABLE PREFERRED STOCK DUE 2009
                                IN EXCHANGE FOR
             13 3/4% SERIES B EXCHANGEABLE PREFERRED STOCK DUE 2009
          WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                    PURSUANT TO THE PROSPECTUS DATED        , 1998


THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK
CITY TIME, ON           ,1998, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED. TENDERS MAY BE 
WITHDRAWN PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE EXPIRATION DATE.

                 The Exchange Agent For The Exchange Offer Is:
                              The Bank Of New York



By Hand or Overnight Delivery:             Facsimile Transactions:               By Registered Or Certified Mail:
                                       (Eligible Institutions Only)

                                                                        
   The Bank of New York                                                              The Bank of New York
    101 Barclay Street                        (212) 571-3080                        101 Barclay Street, 7E
Corporate Trust Services Window                                                    New York, New York  10286
      Ground Level                        To Confirm by Telephone               Attention:  Reorganization Section
Attention:  Reorganization Section         or for Information Call:                    George Johnson
    George Johnson
                                              (212) 815-3687


         Delivery of this letter of transmittal to an address other than as set
forth above or transmission of this letter of transmittal via facsimile to a
number other than as set forth above does not constitute a valid delivery.

     The undersigned acknowledges that he or she has received the Prospectus,
dated      , 1998 (the "Prospectus"), of SF Holdings Group, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and this Letter of Transmittal, which together
constitute the Company's offer (the "Exchange Offer") to exchange its shares of
13 3/4% Series B Exchangeable Preferred Stock due 2009, which have been
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"),
(the "Exchange Shares") for any and all of its outstanding shares of 13 3/4%
Series A Exchangeable Preferred Stock due 2009 (the "Old Shares") at the rate
of one Exchange Share for each Old Share.





         THE INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED.

         Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the same
meaning given them in the Prospectus (as defined below).

         This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed by holders of Old Shares
either if Old Shares are to be forwarded herewith or if tenders of Old Shares
are to be made by book-entry transfer to an account maintained by The Bank of
New York (the "Exchange Agent") at The Depository Trust Company (the
"Book-Entry Transfer Facility" or "DTC") pursuant to the procedures set forth
in "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering" in the Prospectus.

         Holders of Old Shares whose certificates (the "Certificates") for such
Old Shares are not immediately available or who cannot deliver their
Certificates and all other required documents to the Exchange Agent on or prior
to the Expiration Date (as defined in the Prospectus) or who cannot complete
the procedures for book-entry transfer on a timely basis, must tender their Old
Shares according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in "The
Exchange Offer--Guaranteed Delivery Procedures" in the Prospectus.

         DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT.

                    NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW
              PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

         The undersigned has completed the appropriate boxes below and signed
this Letter of Transmittal to indicate the action the undersigned desires to
take with respect to the Exchange Offer.


                                      -2-






- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- ----------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- --------------- -----------------
                   DESCRIPTION OF OLD SHARES                             1               2                3
- ----------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- --------------- -----------------
                                                                                         


                                                                                                   NUMBER OF OLD
       Name(s) and Address(es) of Registered Holder(s):           CERTIFICATE      NUMBER OF       SHARES
                  (Please fill in, if blank)                      NUMBER(S)*       SHARES          TENDERED**










- ----------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- --------------- -----------------

- ----------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- --------------- -----------------

- ----------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- --------------- -----------------

- ----------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- --------------- -----------------
                                                                  Total
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*    Need not be completed if Old Shares are being tendered by book-entry holders.
**   Unless otherwise indicated in the column, a holder will be deemed to have tendered the entire aggregate
     number of Old Shares indicated in Column 2.  See Instruction 4.  All or any portion of Old Shares may be
     tendered.  See Instruction 4.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




    (BOXES BELOW TO BE CHECKED BY ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS ONLY)

[ ] CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OLD SHARES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY
    TRANSFER MADE TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITH THE
    BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

    Name of Tendering Institution_______________________________________________

    Account Number______________________________________________________________

    Transaction Code Number_____________________________________________________

                                      -3-






[ ] CHECK HERE AND ENCLOSE A PHOTOCOPY OF THE NOTICE OF GUARANTEED
    DELIVERY IF TENDERED OLD SHARES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A
    NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT
    AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

    Name of Registered Holder(s)________________________________________________

    Window Ticket Number (if any)_______________________________________________

    Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery__________________________

    Name of Institution which Guaranteed Delivery_______________________________

           If Guaranteed Delivery is to be made By Book-Entry Transfer:

    Name of Tendering Institution_______________________________________________

    Account Number______________________________________________________________

    Transaction Code Number_____________________________________________________

[ ] CHECK HERE IF TENDERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER AND NON-EXCHANGED OLD
    SHARES ARE TO BE RETURNED BY CREDITING THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER
    FACILITY ACCOUNT NUMBER SET FORTH ABOVE.

[ ] CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER WHO ACQUIRED THE OLD SHARES FOR
    ITS OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET MAKING OR OTHER TRADING
    ACTIVITIES (A "PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER") AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10
    ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR
    SUPPLEMENTS THERETO.

Name:__________________________________________________________

Address:_______________________________________________________

                                      -4-









Ladies and Gentlemen:

         Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer,
the undersigned hereby tenders to the Company, the above described aggregate
number of the Old Shares in exchange for a like aggregate number of the
Exchange Shares which have been registered under the Securities Act upon the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus dated      , 
1998 (as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the
"Prospectus"), receipt of which is acknowledged, and in this Letter of
Transmittal (which, together with the Prospectus, constitute the "Exchange
Offer").

         Subject to and effective upon the acceptance for exchange of all or
any portion of the Old Shares tendered herewith in accordance with the terms
and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including, if the Exchange Offer is
extended or amended, the terms and conditions of any such extension or
amendment), the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to or upon the
order of the Company all right, title and interest in and to such Old Shares as
are being tendered herewith. The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and
appoints the Exchange Agent as its agent and attorney-in-fact (with full
knowledge that the Exchange Agent is also acting as agent of the Company in
connection with the Exchange Offer) with respect to the tendered Old Shares,
with full power of substitution (such power of attorney being deemed to be an
irrevocable power coupled with an interest) subject only to the right of
withdrawal described in the Prospectus, to (i) deliver Certificates for Old
Shares to the Company together with all accompanying evidences of transfer and
authenticity to, or upon the order of, the Company, upon receipt by the
Exchange Agent, as the undersigned's agent, of the Exchange Shares to be issued
in exchange for such Old Shares, (ii) present Certificates for such Old Shares
for transfer, and to transfer the Old Shares on the books of the Company, and
(iii) receive for the account of the Company all benefits and otherwise
exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of such Old Shares, all in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer.

         THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT THE UNDERSIGNED
HAS FULL POWER AND AUTHORITY TO TENDER, EXCHANGE, SELL, ASSIGN AND TRANSFER THE
OLD SHARES TENDERED HEREBY AND THAT, WHEN THE SAME ARE ACCEPTED FOR EXCHANGE,
THE COMPANY WILL ACQUIRE GOOD, MARKETABLE AND UNENCUMBERED TITLE THERETO, FREE
AND CLEAR OF ALL LIENS, RESTRICTIONS, CHARGES AND ENCUMBRANCES, AND THAT THE
OLD SHARES TENDERED HEREBY ARE NOT SUBJECT TO ANY ADVERSE CLAIMS OR PROXIES.
THE UNDERSIGNED WILL, UPON REQUEST, EXECUTE AND DELIVER ANY ADDITIONAL
DOCUMENTS DEEMED BY THE COMPANY OR THE EXCHANGE AGENT TO BE NECESSARY OR
DESIRABLE TO COMPLETE THE EXCHANGE, ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER OF THE OLD SHARES
TENDERED HEREBY, AND THE UNDERSIGNED WILL COMPLY WITH ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT. THE UNDERSIGNED HAS READ AND AGREES TO ALL OF
THE TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER.

                                      -5-




         The name(s) and address(es) of the registered holder(s) of the Old
Shares tendered hereby should be printed above, if they are not already set
forth above, as they appear on the Certificates representing such Old Shares.
The Certificate number(s) and the Old Shares that the undersigned wishes to
tender should be indicated in the appropriate boxes above.

         If any tendered Old Shares are not exchanged pursuant to the Exchange
Offer for any reason, or if Certificates are submitted for more Old Shares than
are tendered or accepted for exchange, Certificates for such nonexchanged or
nontendered Old Shares will be returned (or, in the case of Old Shares tendered
by book-entry transfer, such Old Shares will be credited to an account
maintained at DTC), without expense to the tendering holder, promptly following
the expiration or termination of the Exchange Offer.

         The undersigned understands that tenders of Shares pursuant to any one
of the procedures described in "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering"
in the Prospectus and in the instruction, attached hereto will, upon the
Company's acceptance for exchange of such tendered Old Shares, constitute a
binding agreement between the undersigned and the Company upon the terms and
subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer. The undersigned recognizes
that, under certain circumstances set forth in the Prospectus, the Company may
not be required to accept for exchange any of the Old Shares tendered hereby.

         Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box entitled "Special
Issuance Instructions" below, the undersigned hereby directs that the Exchange
Shares be issued in the name(s) of the undersigned or, in the case of a
book-entry transfer of Old Shares, that such Exchange Shares be credited to the
account indicated above maintained at DTC. If applicable, substitute
Certificates representing Old Shares not exchanged or not accepted for exchange
will be issued to the undersigned or, in the case of a book-entry transfer of
Old Shares, will be credited to the account indicated above maintained at DTC.
Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under "Special Delivery Instructions,"
please deliver Exchange Shares to the undersigned at the address shown below
the undersigned's signature.

         BY TENDERING OLD SHARES AND EXECUTING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, THE
UNDERSIGNED HEREBY REPRESENTS AND AGREES THAT (I) THE UNDERSIGNED IS NOT AN
"AFFILIATE" OF THE COMPANY, (II) ANY EXCHANGE SHARES TO BE RECEIVED BY THE
UNDERSIGNED ARE BEING ACQUIRED IN THE ORDINARY COURSE OF ITS BUSINESS, (III)
THE UNDERSIGNED HAS NO ARRANGEMENT OR UNDERSTANDING WITH ANY PERSON TO
PARTICIPATE IN A DISTRIBUTION (WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE SECURITIES ACT) OF
EXCHANGE SHARES TO BE RECEIVED IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER, AND (IV) IF THE
UNDERSIGNED IS NOT A BROKER-DEALER, THE UNDERSIGNED IS NOT ENGAGED IN, AND DOES
NOT INTEND TO ENGAGE IN, A DISTRIBUTION (WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE SECURITIES
ACT) OF SUCH EXCHANGE SHARES. BY TENDERING OLD SHARES PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE
OFFER AND EXECUTING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, A HOLDER OF OLD SHARES WHICH IS
A BROKER-DEALER REPRESENTS AND AGREES, CONSISTENT WITH CERTAIN INTERPRETIVE
LETTERS ISSUED BY THE STAFF OF THE DIVISION OF CORPORATION FINANCE OF THE
SECURITIES AND 


                                      -6-




EXCHANGE COMMISSION TO THIRD PARTIES, THAT (A) SUCH OLD SHARES HELD BY THE
BROKER-DEALER ARE HELD ONLY AS A NOMINEE, OR (B) SUCH OLD SHARES WERE ACQUIRED
BY SUCH BROKER-DEALER FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET-MAKING
ACTIVITIES OR OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES AND IT WILL DELIVER THE PROSPECTUS (AS
AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED FROM TIME TO TIME) MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE
SECURITIES ACT IN CONNECTION WITH ANY RESALE OF SUCH EXCHANGE SHARES (PROVIDED
THAT, BY SO ACKNOWLEDGING AND BY DELIVERING A PROSPECTUS, SUCH BROKER-DEALER
WILL NOT BE DEEMED TO ADMIT THAT IT IS AN "UNDERWRITER" WITHIN THE MEANING OF
THE SECURITIES ACT).

THE COMPANY HAS AGREED THAT, SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE REGISTRATION
RIGHTS AGREEMENT, THE PROSPECTUS, AS IT MAY BE AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED FROM
TIME TO TIME, MAY BE USED BY A PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER (AS DEFINED BELOW)
IN CONNECTION WITH RESALES OF EXCHANGE SHARES RECEIVED IN EXCHANGE FOR OLD
SHARES, WHERE SUCH OLD SHARES WERE ACQUIRED BY SUCH PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER
FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET-MAKING ACTIVITIES OR OTHER TRADING
ACTIVITIES, FOR A PERIOD ENDING 90 DAYS AFTER THE EXPIRATION DATE (SUBJECT TO
EXTENSION UNDER CERTAIN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE PROSPECTUS) OR,
IF EARLIER, WHEN ALL SUCH EXCHANGE SHARES HAVE BEEN DISPOSED OF BY SUCH
PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER. IN THAT REGARD, EACH BROKER-DEALER WHO ACQUIRED
OLD SHARES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET-MAKING OR OTHER TRADING
ACTIVITIES (A "PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER"), BY TENDERING SUCH OLD SHARES AND
EXECUTING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, AGREES THAT, UPON RECEIPT OF NOTICE FROM
THE COMPANY OF THE OCCURRENCE OF ANY EVENT OR THE DISCOVERY OF ANY FACT WHICH
MAKES ANY STATEMENT CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THE PROSPECTUS
UNTRUE IN ANY MATERIAL RESPECT OR WHICH CAUSES THE PROSPECTUS TO OMIT TO STATE
A MATERIAL FACT NECESSARY IN ORDER TO MAKE THE STATEMENTS CONTAINED OR
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE THEREIN, IN LIGHT OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH
THEY WERE MADE, NOT MISLEADING OR OF THE OCCURRENCE OF CERTAIN OTHER EVENTS
SPECIFIED IN THE REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, SUCH PARTICIPATING
BROKER-DEALER WILL SUSPEND THE SALE OF EXCHANGE SHARES PURSUANT TO THE
PROSPECTUS UNTIL THE COMPANY HAS AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED THE PROSPECTUS TO
CORRECT SUCH MISSTATEMENT OR OMISSION AND HAS FURNISHED COPIES OF THE AMENDED
OR SUPPLEMENTED PROSPECTUS TO THE PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER OR THE COMPANY
HAS GIVEN NOTICE THAT THE SALE OF THE EXCHANGE SHARES MAY BE RESUMED, AS THE
CASE MAY BE. IF THE COMPANY GIVES SUCH NOTICE TO SUSPEND THE SALE OF THE
EXCHANGE SHARES, THEY SHALL EXTEND THE 90-DAY PERIOD REFERRED TO ABOVE DURING
WHICH PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALERS ARE ENTITLED TO USE THE PROSPECTUS IN
CONNECTION WITH THE RESALE OF EXCHANGE CAPITAL 

                                      -7-





SECURITIES BY THE NUMBER OF DAYS DURING THE PERIOD FROM AND INCLUDING THE DATE
OF THE GIVING OF SUCH NOTICE TO AND INCLUDING THE DATE WHEN PARTICIPATING
BROKER-DEALERS SHALL HAVE RECEIVED COPIES OF THE SUPPLEMENTED OR AMENDED
PROSPECTUS NECESSARY TO PERMIT RESALES OF THE EXCHANGE SHARES OR TO AND
INCLUDING THE DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY HAS GIVEN NOTICE THAT THE SALE OF
EXCHANGE SHARES MAY BE RESUMED, AS THE CASE MAY BE.

         Holders of Old Shares whose Old Shares are accepted for exchange will
not receive accrued dividends on such Old Shares for any period from and after
the last Dividend Payment Date to which dividends have been paid or duly
provided for on such Old Shares prior to the original issue date of the
Exchange Shares or, if no such dividends have been paid or duly provided for,
will not receive any accrued dividends on such Old Shares, and the undersigned
waives the right to receive any dividends on such Old Shares accrued from and
after such Dividend Payment Date or, if no such dividends have been paid or
duly provided for, from and after the date the Exchange Offer is consummated.

         The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional
documents deemed by the Company to be necessary or desirable to complete the
sale, assignment and transfer of the Old Shares tendered hereby. All authority
herein conferred or agreed to be conferred in this Letter of Transmittal shall
survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned and any obligation of the
undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs, executors,
administrators, personal representatives, trustees in bankruptcy, legal
representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned. Except as stated in
the Prospectus, this tender is irrevocable.

         THE UNDERSIGNED, BY COMPLETING THE BOX ENTITLED "DESCRIPTION OF OLD
SHARES" ABOVE AND SIGNING THIS LETTER, WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE TENDERED THE OLD
SHARES AS SET FORTH IN SUCH BOX.


                                      -8-




                              HOLDER(S) SIGN HERE
                         (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 2, 5 AND 6)
                (PLEASE COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 ON PAGE 19)
             (NOTE: SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED IF REQUIRED BY
                                 INSTRUCTION 2)

         Must be signed by registered holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on
Certificate(s) for the Old Shares hereby tendered or on the register of holders
maintained by the Company, or by any person(s) authorized to become the
registered holder(s) by endorsements and documents transmitted herewith
(including such opinions of counsel, certifications and other information as
may be required by the Company or the Trustee for the Old Shares to comply with
the restrictions on transfer applicable to the Old Shares). If signature is by
an attorney-in-fact, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, officer of a
corporation or another acting in a fiduciary capacity or representative
capacity, please set forth the signer's full title. See Instruction 5.


________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________


                          (SIGNATURE(S) OF HOLDER(S))

Date: _______________, 199__

Name(s)________________________________________________________________________

                                 (PLEASE PRINT)


Capacity (full title)___________________________________________________________

Address_________________________________________________________________________

       _________________________________________________________________________

       _________________________________________________________________________
                               (INCLUDE ZIP CODE)

Area Code and Telephone Number_________________________________________________


________________________________________________________________________________
               (TAX IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER(S))


                                      -9-



                           GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)
                           (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 2 AND 5)



________________________________________________________________________________
                             (AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE)


Date:___________, 199__ 

Name of Firm____________________________________________________________________

     Capacity (full title)______________________________________________________
                                 (PLEASE PRINT)
Address_________________________________________________________________________

       _________________________________________________________________________

       _________________________________________________________________________
                               (INCLUDE ZIP CODE)

Area Code and Telephone Number__________________________________________________




                                     -10-




                         SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS
                         (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 5 AND 6)

To be completed ONLY if the Exchange Shares or Old Shares not tendered are to
be issued in the name of someone other than the registered holder of the Old
Shares whose name(s) appear(s) above.

Issue

[ ] Old Shares not tendered to:
[ ] Exchange Shares, to:


Name(s)_________________________________________________________________________

Address_________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

                               (INCLUDE ZIP CODE)


Area Code and
Telephone Number________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
                         (TAX IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL

                              SECURITY NUMBER(S))


                                     -11-




                         SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
                         (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 5 AND 6)

To be completed ONLY if Exchange Shares or Old Shares not tendered are to be
sent to someone other than the registered holder of the Old Shares whose
name(s) appear(s) above, or such registered holder(s) at an address other than
that shown above.

Mail

[ ] Old Shares not tendered to:
[ ] Exchange Shares, to:

Name(s)_________________________________________________________________________

Address_________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
                               (INCLUDE ZIP CODE)


Area Code and
Telephone Number________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
                         (TAX IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL
                              SECURITY NUMBER(S))



                                     -12-



                                  INSTRUCTIONS

         FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER

         1. DELIVERY OF LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND CERTIFICATES; GUARANTEED
DELIVERY PROCEDURES. This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed either if
(a) Certificates are to be forwarded herewith or (b) tenders are to be made
pursuant to the procedures for tender by book-entry transfer set forth in "The
Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering" in the Prospectus. Certificates, or
timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer of such Old Shares into the
Exchange Agent's account at DTC, as well as this Letter of Transmittal (or
facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with any required
signature guarantees, and any other documents required by this Letter of
Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent at its address set forth
herein on or prior to the Expiration Date. All or any portion of Old Shares may
be tendered.

         Holders who wish to tender their Old Shares and (i) whose Old Shares
are not immediately available or (ii) who cannot deliver their Old Shares, this
Letter of Transmittal and all other required documents to the Exchange Agent on
or prior to the Expiration Date or (iii) who cannot complete the procedures for
delivery by book-entry transfer on a timely basis, may tender their Old Shares
by properly completing and duly executing a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in "The Exchange
Offer--Procedures for Tendering" in the Prospectus. Pursuant to such
procedures: (i) such tender must be made by or through an Eligible Institution
(as defined below); (ii) a properly completed and duly executed Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery, substantially in the form made available by the Company,
must be received by the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date; and
(iii) the Certificates (or a book-entry confirmation (as defined in the
Prospectus)) representing all tendered Old Shares, in proper form for transfer,
together with a Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), properly
completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees and any
other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the
Exchange Agent within five New York Stock Exchange, Inc. trading days after the
date of execution of such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, all as provided in
"The Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering" in the Prospectus.

         The Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand or
transmitted by facsimile or mail to the Exchange Agent, and must include a
guarantee by an Eligible Institution in the form set forth in such Notice. For
Old Shares to be properly tendered pursuant to the guaranteed delivery
procedure, the Exchange Agent must receive a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery on
or prior to the Expiration Date. As used herein and in the Prospectus,
"Eligible Institution" means a firm or other entity identified in Rule 17Ad-15
under the Exchange Act as "an eligible guarantor institution," including (as
such terms are defined therein) (i) a bank; (ii) a broker, dealer, municipal
securities broker or dealer or government securities broker or dealer; (iii) a
credit union; (iv) a national securities exchange, registered securities
association or clearing agency; or (v) a savings association that is a
participant in a Securities Transfer Association.

                                     -13-





         THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF CERTIFICATES, THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND
ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE OPTION AND SOLE RISK OF THE TENDERING
HOLDER AND THE DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE
EXCHANGE AGENT. IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT
REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, OR OVERNIGHT DELIVERY SERVICE IS RECOMMENDED. IN
ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY.

         The Company will not accept any alternative, conditional or contingent
tenders. Each tendering holder, by execution of a Letter of Transmittal (or
facsimile thereof), waives any right to receive any notice of the acceptance of
such tender.

         2. GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURES. No signature guarantee on this Letter of
Transmittal is required if:

         (i) this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder
             (which term, for purposes of this document, shall include any
             participant in DTC whose name appears on the register of
             holders maintained by the Trust as the owner of the Old
             Shares) of Old Shares tendered herewith, unless such
             holder(s) has completed either the box entitled "Special
             Issuance Instructions" or the box entitled "Special Delivery
             Instructions" above, or

         (ii) such Old Shares are tendered for the account of a firm that is an
              Eligible Institution.

         In all other cases, an Eligible Institution must guarantee the
signature(s) on this Letter of Transmittal. See Instruction 5.

         3. INADEQUATE SPACE. If the space provided in the box captioned
"Description of Old Shares" is inadequate, the Certificate number(s) and/or the
number of Old Shares and any other required information should be listed on a
separate signed schedule which is attached to this Letter of Transmittal.

         4. PARTIAL TENDERS AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS. If less than all the Old
Shares evidenced by any Certificate submitted are to be tendered, fill in the
number of Old Shares which are to be tendered in the box entitled "Number of
Old Shares Tendered." In such case, new Certificate(s) for the remainder of the
Old Shares that were evidenced by the old Certificate(s) will only be sent to
the holder of the Old Shares, promptly after the Expiration Date. All Old
Shares represented by Certificates delivered to the Exchange Agent will be
deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated.

         Except as otherwise provided herein, tenders of Old Shares may be
withdrawn at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date. In order for a
withdrawal to be effective on or prior to that time, a written, telegraphic,
telex or facsimile transmission of such notice of withdrawal must be timely
received by the Exchange Agent at one of its addresses set forth 


    

                                      -14-




above or in the Prospectus on or prior to the Expiration Date. Any such notice
of withdrawal must specify the name of the person who tendered the Old Shares
to be withdrawn, the aggregate number of Old Shares to be withdrawn, and (if
Certificates for Old Shares have been tendered) the name of the registered
holder of the Old Shares as set forth on the Certificate for the Old Shares, if
different from that of the person who tendered such Old Shares. If Certificates
for the Old Shares have been delivered or otherwise identified to the Exchange
Agent, then prior to the physical release of such Certificates for the Old
Shares, the tendering holder must submit the serial numbers shown on the
particular Certificates for the Old Shares to be withdrawn and the signature on
the notice of withdrawal must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution, except
in the case of Old Shares tendered for the account of an Eligible Institution.
If Old Shares have been tendered pursuant to the procedures for book-entry
transfer set forth in the Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for
Tendering," the notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the
account at DTC to be credited with the withdrawal of Old Shares, in which case
a notice of withdrawal will be effective if delivered to the Exchange Agent by
written, telegraphic, telex or facsimile transmission. Withdrawals of tenders
of Old Shares may not be rescinded. Old Shares properly withdrawn will not be
deemed validly tendered for purposes of the Exchange Offer, but may be
retendered at any subsequent time on or prior to the Expiration Date by
following any of the procedures described in the Prospectus under "The Exchange
Offer--Procedures for Tendering."

         All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including time
of receipt) of such withdrawal notices will be determined by the Company, in
their sole discretion, whose determination shall be final and binding on all
parties. None of the Company, any affiliates or assigns of the Company, the
Exchange Agent or any other person shall be under any duty to give any
notification of any irregularities in any notice of withdrawal or incur any
liability for failure to give any such notification. Any Old Shares which have
been tendered but which are withdrawn will be returned to the holder thereof
without cost to such holder promptly after withdrawal.

         5. SIGNATURES ON LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, ASSIGNMENTS AND ENDORSEMENTS.
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Old
Shares tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond exactly with the
name(s) as written on the face of the Certificate(s) without alteration,
enlargement or any change whatsoever.

         If any of the Old Shares tendered hereby are owned of record by two or
more joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.

         If any tendered Old Shares are registered in different name(s) on
several Certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many
separate Letters of Transmittal (or facsimiles thereof) as there are different
registrations of Certificates.

         If this Letter of Transmittal or any Certificates or bond powers are
signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact,
officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative
capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing 

                                     -15-




and must submit proper evidence satisfactory to the Company's, in its sole
discretion, of each such person's authority so to act.

         When this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered owner(s)
of the Old Shares listed and transmitted hereby, no endorsement(s) of
Certificate(s) or separate bond power(s) are required unless Exchange Shares
are to be issued in the name of a person other than the registered holder(s).
Signature(s) on such Certificate(s) or bond power(s) must be guaranteed by an
Eligible Institution.

         If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the
registered owner(s) of the Old Shares listed, the Certificates must be endorsed
or accompanied by appropriate bond powers, signed exactly as the name or names
of the registered owner(s) appear(s) on the Certificates, and also must be
accompanied by such opinions of counsel, certifications and other information
as the Company or the Trustee for the Old Shares may require in accordance with
the restrictions on transfer applicable to the Old Shares. Signatures on such
Certificates or bond powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.

         6. SPECIAL ISSUANCE AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS. If Exchange Shares are
to be issued in the name of a person other than the signer of this Letter of
Transmittal, or if Exchange Shares are to be sent to someone other than the
signer of this Letter of Transmittal or to an address other than that shown
above, the appropriate boxes on this Letter of Transmittal should be completed.
Certificates for Old Shares not exchanged will be returned by mail or, if
tendered by book-entry transfer, by crediting the account indicated above
maintained at DTC. See Instruction 4.

         7. IRREGULARITIES. The Company will determine, in its sole discretion,
all questions as to the form of documents, validity, eligibility (including
time of receipt) and acceptance for exchange of any tender of Old Shares, which
determination shall be final and binding on all parties. The Company reserves
the absolute right to reject any and all tenders determined by either of them
not to be in proper form or the acceptance of which, or exchange for which,
may, in the view of counsel to the Company, be unlawful. The Company also
reserves the absolute right, subject to applicable law, to waive any of the
conditions of the Exchange Offer set forth in the Prospectus under "The
Exchange Offer--Certain Conditions to the Exchange Offer" or any conditions or
irregularity in any tender of Old Shares of any particular holder whether or
not similar conditions or irregularities are waived in the case of other
holders. The Company's interpretation of the terms and conditions of the
Exchange Offer (including this Letter of Transmittal and the instructions
hereto) will be final and binding. No tender of Old Shares will be deemed to
have been validly made until all irregularities with respect to such tender
have been cured or waived. The Company, any affiliates or assigns of the
Company, the Exchange Agent or any other person shall not be under any duty to
give notification of any irregularities in tenders or incur any liability for
failure to give such notification.

         8. QUESTIONS, REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE AND ADDITIONAL COPIES. Questions
and requests for assistance may be directed to the Exchange Agent at its
address and telephone number set forth on the front of this Letter of
Transmittal. Additional 

                                     -16-





copies of the Prospectus, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and the Letter of
Transmittal may be obtained from the Exchange Agent or from your broker,
dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee.

         9. 31% BACKUP WITHHOLDING; SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9. Under U.S. Federal
income tax law, a holder whose tendered Old Shares are accepted for exchange is
required to provide the Exchange Agent with such holder's correct taxpayer
identification number ("TIN") on Substitute Form W-9 below. If the Exchange
Agent is not provided with the correct TIN, the Internal Revenue Service (the
"IRS") may subject the holder or other payee to a $50 penalty. In addition,
payments to such holders or other payees with respect to Old Shares exchanged
pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be subject to 31% backup withholding.

         The box in Part 2 of the Substitute Form W-9 may be checked if the
tendering holder has not been issued a TIN and has applied for a TIN or intends
to apply for a TIN in the near future. If the box in Part 2 is checked, the
holder or other payee must also complete the Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer
Identification Number below in order to avoid backup withholding.
Notwithstanding that the box in Part 2 is checked and the Certificate of
Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number is completed, the Exchange Agent will
withhold 31% of all payments made prior to the time a properly certified TIN is
provided to the Exchange Agent. The Exchange Agent will retain such amounts
withheld during the 60 day period following the date of the Substitute Form
W-9. If the holder furnishes the Exchange Agent with its TIN within 60 days
after the date of the Substitute Form W-9, the amounts retained during the 60
day period will be remitted to the holder and no further amounts shall be
retained or withheld from payments made to the holder thereafter. If, however,
the holder has not provided the Exchange Agent with its TIN within such 60 day
period, amounts withheld will be remitted to the IRS as backup withholding. In
addition, 31% of all payments made thereafter will be withheld and remitted to
the IRS until a correct TIN is provided.

         The holder is required to give the Exchange Agent the TIN (e.g.,
social security number or employer identification number) of the registered
owner of the Old Shares or of the last transferee appearing on the transfers
attached to, or endorsed on, the Old Shares. If the Old Shares are registered
in more than one name or are 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.

         Certain holders (including, among others, corporations, financial
institutions and certain foreign persons) may not be subject to these backup
withholding and reporting requirements. Such holders should nevertheless
complete the attached Substitute Form W-9 below, and write "exempt" on the face
thereof, to avoid possible erroneous backup withholding. A foreign person may
qualify as an exempt recipient by submitting a properly completed IRS Form W-8,
signed under penalties of perjury, attesting to that holder's exempt status.
Please consult the enclosed "Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer
Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9" for additional guidance on which
holders are exempt from backup withholding.

                                     -17-





         Backup withholding is not an additional U.S. Federal income tax.
Rather, the U.S. Federal income tax liability of a person 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.

         10. WAIVER OF CONDITIONS. The Company reserves the absolute right to
waive satisfaction of any or all conditions enumerated in the Prospectus.

         11. NO CONDITIONAL TENDERS. No alternative, conditional, irregular or
contingent tenders will be accepted. All tendering holders of Old Shares, by
execution of this Letter of Transmittal, shall waive any right to receive
notice of the acceptance of their Old Shares for exchanges.

                  Neither the Company, the Exchange Agent nor any other person
is obligated to give notice of any defect or irregularity with respect to any
tender of Old Shares nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to
give any such notice.

         12. LOST, DESTROYED OR STOLEN CERTIFICATES. If any Certificate(s)
representing Old Shares have been lost, destroyed or stolen, the holder should
promptly notify the Exchange Agent. The holder will then be instructed as to
the steps that must be taken in order to replace the Certificate(s). This
Letter of Transmittal and related documents cannot be processed until the
procedures for replacing lost, destroyed or stolen Certificate(s) have been
followed.

         13. SECURITY TRANSFER TAXES. Holders who tender their Old Shares for
exchange will not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes in connection
therewith. If, however, Exchange Shares are to be delivered to, or are to be
issued in the name of, any person other than the registered holder of the Old
Shares tendered, or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the
exchange of Old Shares in connection with the Exchange Offer, then the amount
of any such transfer tax (whether imposed on the registered holder or any other
persons) will be payable by the tendering holder. If satisfactory evidence of
payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted with the Letter
of Transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to
such tendering holder.

                                     -18-




IMPORTANT: THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL (OR FACSIMILE THEREOF) AND ALL OTHER
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT ON OR PRIOR TO THE
EXPIRATION DATE. TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL TENDERING SECURITYHOLDERS (See
Instruction 9)

                       PAYER'S NAME: THE BANK OF NEW YORK
   




- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    
                                PART 1 - PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR TIN                             TIN:
                                ON THE LINE AT RIGHT AND CERTIFY
                                BY SIGNING AND DATING BELOW                        Social Security Number or
                                                                                Employer Identification Number
                                ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                PART 2 - TIN Applied For [9]

                                ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBSTITUTE                      CERTIFICATION - UNDER THE PENALTIES OF PERJURY, I CERTIFY THAT:

Form W-9                        (1) the number shown on this form is my correct taxpayer identification number 
Department of the Treasury          (or I am waiting for a number to be issued to me), 
Internal Revenue Service
                                (2) I am not subject to backup withholding either because (i) I am exempt from
Payor's Request For                 backup withholding, (ii) I have not been notified by the Internal Revenue 
Taxpayer Identification Number      Service ("IRS") that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of a 
("TIN") and Certification           failure to report all interest or dividends, or (iii) the IRS has notified me
                                    that I am no longer subject to backup withholding, and

                                (3) any other information provided on this form is true and correct.

                                Signature_____________                     Date_______________________, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You must cross out item (iii) 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 and you have not been notified by the
IRS that you are no longer subject to backup withholding.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    

NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES
RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF 31% OF ANY AMOUNTS PAID TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE
EXCHANGE OFFER. PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF
TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.

                                     -19-



   

       YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU CHECKED THE BOX
                        IN PART 2 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 (1) 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 (2) I intend to mail
or deliver an application in the near future. I understand that if I do not
provide a taxpayer identification number by the time of payment, 31% of all
payments made to me on account of the Exchange Shares shall be retained until I
provide a taxpayer identification number to the Exchange Agent and that, if I
do not provide my taxpayer identification number within 60 days, such retained
amounts shall be remitted to the Internal Revenue Service as backup withholding
and 31% of all reportable payments made to me thereafter will be withheld and
remitted to the Internal Revenue Service until I provide a taxpayer
identification number.

Signature __________________                   Date______________________, 1998

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    


                                     -20-