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                                                                     EXHIBIT 1.1







                                  ______ Shares


                             DEL MONTE FOODS COMPANY

                     COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $0.01 PER SHARE




                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT







______, 1999


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                                  ______, 1999




Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
            Incorporated
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.
BT Alex. Brown Incorporated
NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC
c/o  Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
     1585 Broadway
     New York, New York  10036

Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited
Goldman Sachs International
Credit Suisse First Boston (Europe) Limited
Merrill Lynch International
Bear, Stearns International Limited
BT Alex. Brown International, a division of Bankers Trust International PLC
NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC
c/o  Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited
     25 Cabot Square
     Canary Wharf
     London E14 1QA
     England

Dear Sirs and Mesdames:

        Del Monte Foods Company, a Delaware corporation (the "COMPANY"),
proposes to issue and sell to the several Underwriters (as defined below), and
certain stockholders of the Company (the "SELLING STOCKHOLDERS") named in
Schedule I hereto severally propose to sell to the several Underwriters, an
aggregate of ______ shares of the Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share of the
Company (the "FIRM SHARES"), of which ______ shares are to be issued and sold by
the Company and ______ shares are to be sold by the Selling Stockholders, each
Selling Stockholder selling the amount set forth opposite such Selling
Stockholder's name in Schedule I hereto. The Company and the Selling
Stockholders are hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as the
"SELLERS".

        It is understood that, subject to the conditions hereinafter stated, 
_________ Firm Shares (the "U.S. FIRM SHARES") will be sold to the several U.S.
Underwriters named in Schedule II hereto (the "U.S. UNDERWRITERS") in connection
with the offering and sale of such U.S. Firm Shares in the



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United States and Canada to United States and Canadian Persons (as such terms
are defined in the Agreement Between U.S. and International Underwriters of even
date herewith), and ______ Firm Shares (the "INTERNATIONAL SHARES") will be sold
to the several International Underwriters named in Schedule III hereto (the
"INTERNATIONAL UNDERWRITERS") in connection with the offering and sale of such
International Shares outside the United States and Canada to persons other than
United States and Canadian Persons.

        Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Goldman, Sachs & Co., Credit Suisse
First Boston Corporation, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated,
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., BT Alex. Brown Incorporated and NationsBanc Montgomery
Securities LLC shall act as representatives (the "U.S. REPRESENTATIVES") of the
several U.S. Underwriters, and Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited,
Goldman Sachs International, Credit Suisse First Boston (Europe) Limited,
Merrill Lynch International, Bear, Stearns International Limited, BT Alex. Brown
International, a division of Bankers Trust International PLC, and NationsBanc
Montgomery Securities LLC shall act as representatives (the "INTERNATIONAL
REPRESENTATIVES") of the several International Underwriters. The U.S.
Underwriters and the International Underwriters are hereinafter collectively
referred to as the "UNDERWRITERS".

        The Company also proposes to issue and sell to the several U.S.
Underwriters not more than an additional ______ shares of its Common Stock, par
value $0.01 per share (the "COMPANY ADDITIONAL SHARES") if and to the extent
that the U.S. Representatives shall have determined to exercise, on behalf of
the U.S. Underwriters, the right to purchase such shares of common stock granted
to the U.S. Underwriters in Section 3 hereof. In addition, on the terms and
subject to the conditions in Section 3 hereof, the Selling Stockholders propose
to sell to the several U.S. Underwriters not more than an additional ______
shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "SELLING
STOCKHOLDERS' ADDITIONAL SHARES") if and to the extent that the U.S.
Representatives shall have determined to exercise, on behalf of the U.S.
Underwriters, the right to purchase such shares of common stock granted to the
U.S. Underwriters in Section 3 hereof. The Company Additional Shares and the
Selling Stockholders' Additional Shares are hereinafter collectively referred to
as the "ADDITIONAL SHARES". The Firm Shares and the Additional Shares are
hereinafter collectively referred to as the "SHARES". The shares of Common
Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company to be outstanding after giving
effect to the sales contemplated hereby are hereinafter referred to as the
"COMMON STOCK".

        The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"COMMISSION") a registration statement relating to the Shares. The registration
statement contains two prospectuses to be used in connection with the offering
and sale of the Shares: the U.S. prospectus, to be used in connection with the
offering and sale of Shares in the United States and Canada to United States and
Canadian Persons, and the international prospectus, to be used in connection
with the offering and sale of Shares outside the United States and Canada to
persons other than United States and Canadian Persons. The international
prospectus is identical to the U.S. prospectus except for the outside front
cover page. The registration statement as amended at the time it became
effective and any post-effective amendment to such registration statement at the
time it becomes effective, including the information (if any) deemed to be part
of the registration statement and any post-effective amendment to such
registration statement at the time of effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430A under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "SECURITIES ACT"), is hereinafter
referred to as the "REGISTRATION STATEMENT"; the U.S. 



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prospectus and the international prospectus in the respective forms first used
to confirm sales of Shares are hereinafter collectively referred to as the
"PROSPECTUS". If the Company has filed an abbreviated registration statement to
register additional shares of Common Stock pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the
Securities Act (the "RULE 462 REGISTRATION STATEMENT"), then any reference
herein to the term "Registration Statement" shall be deemed to include such Rule
462 Registration Statement.

        As part of the offering contemplated by this Agreement, Morgan Stanley &
Co. Incorporated ("MORGAN STANLEY") has agreed to reserve out of the Shares set
forth opposite its name on Schedule II to this Agreement, up to ______ shares,
for sale to the Company's directors, officers, employees, retirees and related
persons of the Company (collectively, "PARTICIPANTS"), as set forth in the
Prospectus under the heading "Underwriters--Directed Share Program" (the
"DIRECTED SHARE PROGRAM"). The Shares to be sold by Morgan Stanley pursuant to
the Directed Share Program (the "DIRECTED SHARES") will be sold by Morgan
Stanley pursuant to this Agreement at the public offering price. Any Directed
Shares not orally confirmed for purchase by any Participants by the end of the
first business day after the date on which this Agreement is executed will be
offered to the public by Morgan Stanley as set forth in the Prospectus.

        1. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents
and warrants to and agrees with each of the Underwriters that:

               (a) The Registration Statement has become effective; no stop
        order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement is in
        effect, and no proceedings for such purpose are pending before or
        threatened by the Commission.

               (b) (i) The Registration Statement, when it became effective, did
        not contain and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will not
        contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
        material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
        statements therein not misleading, (ii) the Registration Statement and
        the Prospectus comply and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable,
        will comply in all material respects with the Securities Act and the
        applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and (iii)
        the Prospectus does not contain and, as amended or supplemented, if
        applicable, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
        omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein,
        in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
        misleading, except that the representations and warranties set forth in
        this paragraph do not apply to statements or omissions in the
        Registration Statement or the Prospectus based upon information relating
        to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such
        Underwriter through you expressly for use therein.

                (c) The Company has been duly incorporated, is validly existing
        as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of
        its incorporation, has the corporate power and authority to own its
        property and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and
        is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each
        jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or its ownership or
        leasing of property requires such qualification, except to the extent
        that the failure to be




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        so qualified or be in good standing would not have a material adverse
        effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

               (d) Each subsidiary of the Company has been duly incorporated, is
        validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the
        jurisdiction of its incorporation, has the corporate power and authority
        to own its property and to conduct its business as described in the
        Prospectus and is duly qualified to transact business and is in good
        standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or
        its ownership or leasing of property requires such qualification, except
        to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing
        would not have a material adverse effect on the Company and its
        subsidiaries, taken as a whole; all of the issued shares of capital
        stock of each subsidiary of the Company have been duly and validly
        authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned
        directly by the Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances,
        equities or claims.

               (e) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
        delivered by the Company.

               (f) The authorized capital stock of the Company conforms as to
        legal matters to the description thereof contained in the Prospectus.

               (g) The shares of Common Stock (including the Shares to be sold
        by the Selling Stockholders) outstanding prior to the issuance of the
        Shares to be sold by the Company have been duly authorized and are
        validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

               (h) The Shares to be sold by the Company have been duly
        authorized and, when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms
        of this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and
        non-assessable, and the issuance of such Shares will not be subject to
        any preemptive or similar rights.

               (i) The execution and delivery by the Company of, and the
        performance by the Company of its obligations under, this Agreement will
        not contravene any provision of applicable law or the certificate of
        incorporation or by-laws of the Company or any agreement or other
        instrument binding upon the Company or any of its subsidiaries that is
        material to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or any
        judgment, order or decree of any governmental body, agency or court
        having jurisdiction over the Company or any subsidiary, and no consent,
        approval, authorization or order of, or qualification with, any
        governmental body or agency is required for the performance by the
        Company of its obligations under this Agreement, except such as may be
        required by the securities or Blue Sky laws of the various states in
        connection with the offer and sale of the Shares.

               (j) There has not occurred any material adverse change, or any
        development involving a prospective material adverse change, in the
        condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business or
        operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, from
        that set forth in the Prospectus.



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               (k) There are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or
        threatened to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or
        to which any of the properties of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
        is subject that are required to be described in the Registration
        Statement or the Prospectus and are not so described or any statutes,
        regulations, contracts or other documents that are required to be
        described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed
        as exhibits to the Registration Statement that are not described or
        filed as required.

               (l) Each preliminary prospectus filed as part of the registration
        statement as originally filed or as part of any amendment thereto, or
        filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act, complied when so
        filed in all material respects with the Securities Act and the
        applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

               (m) The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering
        and sale of the Shares and the application of the proceeds thereof as
        described in the Prospectus, will not be an "investment company" as such
        term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

               (n) Subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is
        given in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, (1) the Company
        and its subsidiaries have not incurred any material liability or
        obligation, direct or contingent, nor entered into any material
        transaction not in the ordinary course of business; (2) the Company has
        not purchased any of its outstanding capital stock, nor declared, paid
        or otherwise made any dividend or distribution of any kind on its
        capital stock other than ordinary and customary dividends; and (3) there
        has not been any material adverse change in the capital stock,
        short-term debt or long-term debt of the Company and its consolidated
        subsidiaries, except in each case as described in the Prospectus.

               (o) The Company and its subsidiaries have good and marketable
        title in fee simple to all real property and good and marketable title
        to all personal property owned by them which is material to the business
        of the Company and its subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all
        liens, encumbrances and defects except such as are described in the
        Prospectus or such as do not materially affect the value of such
        property and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made
        of such property by the Company and its subsidiaries; and any real
        property and buildings held under lease by the Company and its
        subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable
        leases with such exceptions as are not material and do not interfere
        with the use made and proposed to be made of such property and buildings
        by the Company and its subsidiaries, in each case except as described in
        the Prospectus.

                (p) The Company and its subsidiaries own or possess, or can
        acquire on reasonable terms, all material patents, patent rights,
        licenses, inventions, copyrights, know-how (including trade secrets and
        other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential
        information, systems or procedures), trademarks, service marks and trade
        names currently employed by them in connection with the business now
        operated by them, and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries
        has received any notice of infringement of or conflict with asserted
        rights of others with respect to any of the



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        foregoing which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an
        unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would result in any material
        adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the
        earnings, business or operations of the Company and its subsidiaries,
        taken as a whole.

               (q) No material labor dispute with the employees of the Company
        or any of its subsidiaries exists, except as described in the
        Prospectus, or, to the knowledge of the Company or any of its
        subsidiaries, is imminent; and the Company or any of its subsidiaries
        are not aware of any existing, threatened or imminent labor disturbance
        by the employees of any of its principal suppliers, manufactures or
        contractors that could result in any material adverse change in the
        condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business or
        operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

               (r) The Company and each of its subsidiaries are insured by
        insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and
        risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses
        in which they are engaged; neither the Company nor any such subsidiary
        has been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for; and
        neither the Company nor any such subsidiary has any reason to believe
        that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and
        when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar
        insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that
        would not materially and adversely affect the condition, financial or
        otherwise, or the earnings, business or operations of the Company and
        its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, except as described in the
        Prospectus.

               (s) The Company and its subsidiaries possess all certificates,
        authorizations and permits issued by the appropriate federal, state or
        foreign authorities necessary to conduct their respective businesses,
        and neither the Company nor any such subsidiary has received any notice
        of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such
        certificate, authorization or permit which, singly or in the aggregate,
        if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would
        result in a material adverse change in the condition, financial or
        otherwise, or in the earnings, business or operations of the Company and
        its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, except as described in the
        Prospectus.

               (t) The Company and its subsidiaries (i) are in compliance with
        any and all applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws and
        regulations relating to the protection of human health and safety, the
        environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or
        contaminants ("ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS"), (ii) have received all permits,
        licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable
        Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses and (iii) are
        in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license
        or approval, except where such noncompliance with Environmental Laws,
        failure to receive required permits, licenses or other approvals or
        failure to comply with the terms and conditions of such permits,
        licenses or approvals would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a
        material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a
        whole.

               (u) There are no costs or liabilities associated with
        Environmental Laws (including, without limitation, any capital or
        operating expenditures required 



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        for clean-up, closure of properties or compliance with Environmental
        Laws or any permit, license or approval, any related constraints on
        operating activities and any potential liabilities to third parties)
        which would, singly or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect
        on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

               (v) The Company and each of its subsidiaries maintain a system of
        internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance
        that (1) transactions are executed in accordance with management's
        general or specific authorizations; (2) transactions are recorded as
        necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity
        with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain asset
        accountability; (3) access to assets is permitted only in accordance
        with management's general or specific authorization; and (4) the
        recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets
        at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to
        any differences.

               (w) There are no contracts, agreements or understandings between
        the Company and any person granting such person the right to require the
        Company to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with
        respect to any securities of the Company or to require the Company to
        include such securities with the Shares registered pursuant to the
        Registration Statement, except as described in the Registration
        Statement and the Prospectus.

               (x) The Company has not offered, or caused the Underwriters to
        offer, Shares to any person pursuant to the Directed Share Program with
        the specific intent to unlawfully influence (i) a customer or supplier
        of the Company to alter the customer's or supplier's level or type of
        business with the Company, or (ii) a trade journalist or publication to
        write or publish favorable information about the Company or its
        products.

        2. Representations and Warranties of the Selling Stockholders. Each of
the Selling Stockholders represents and warrants to and agrees with each of the
Underwriters that:

               (a) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
        delivered by or on behalf of such Selling Stockholder.

               (b) The execution and delivery by such Selling Stockholder of,
        and the performance by such Selling Stockholder of its obligations
        under, this Agreement, the Custody Agreement signed by such Selling
        Stockholder and The Bank of New York, as Custodian, relating to the
        deposit of the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder (the
        "CUSTODY AGREEMENT") and the Power of Attorney appointing certain
        individuals as such Selling Stockholder's attorneys-in-fact to the
        extent set forth therein, relating to the transactions contemplated
        hereby and by the Registration Statement (the "POWER OF ATTORNEY")
        will not contravene any provision of applicable law,
        or the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of such Selling
        Stockholder (if such Selling Stockholder is a corporation), or the
        certificate of limited partnership, limited partnership agreement or
        other organizational documents (if any) of such Selling Stockholder or
        any agreement or other instrument binding upon such Selling Stockholder
        or any judgment, order or decree of any governmental body, agency or
        court having jurisdiction over such Selling 



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        Stockholder, and no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or
        qualification with, any governmental body or agency is required for the
        performance by such Selling Stockholder of its obligations under this
        Agreement or the Custody Agreement or Power of Attorney of such Selling
        Stockholder, except such as may be required by the securities or Blue
        Sky laws of the various states in connection with the offer and sale of
        the Shares.

               (c) Such Selling Stockholder has, and on the Closing Date and any
        Option Closing Date (as defined in Section 5) will have, valid title to
        the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder and the legal right
        and power, and all authorization and approval required by law, to enter
        into this Agreement, the Custody Agreement and the Power of Attorney and
        to sell, transfer and deliver the Shares to be sold by such Selling
        Stockholder.

               (d) The Custody Agreement and the Power of Attorney have been
        duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Selling Stockholder and
        are valid and binding agreements of such Selling Stockholder.

               (e) Delivery of the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder
        pursuant to this Agreement will pass title to such Shares free and clear
        of any security interests, claims, liens, equities and other
        encumbrances.

               (f) (i) The Registration Statement, when it became effective, did
        not contain and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will not
        contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
        material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
        statements therein not misleading and (ii) the Prospectus does not
        contain and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will not contain
        any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
        necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
        circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except that
        the representations and warranties set forth in this paragraph 2(f) only
        apply to statements or omissions in the Registration Statement or the
        Prospectus based upon information relating to any Selling Stockholder
        furnished to the Company in writing by such Selling Stockholder through
        you expressly for use therein.

        3. Agreements to Sell and Purchase. Each Seller, severally and not
jointly, hereby agrees to sell to the several Underwriters, and each
Underwriter, upon the basis of the representations and warranties herein
contained, but subject to the conditions hereinafter stated, agrees, severally
and not jointly, to purchase from such Seller at U.S.$ ______ a share (the
"PURCHASE PRICE") the number of Firm Shares (subject to such adjustments to
eliminate fractional shares as you may determine) that bears the same proportion
to the number of Firm Shares to be sold by such Seller as the number of Firm
Shares set forth in Schedules II and III hereto opposite the name of such
Underwriter bears to the total number of Firm Shares.

        On the basis of the representations and warranties contained in this
Agreement, and subject to its terms and conditions, the Company and the Selling
Stockholders agree to sell to the U.S. Underwriters the Company Additional
Shares and the Selling Stockholders' Additional Shares, respectively, and the
U.S. Underwriters shall have a one-time right to purchase, severally and not
jointly, up to ______ Additional Shares from the Sellers at the Purchase Price.
The U.S. 



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Representatives, on behalf of the U.S. Underwriters, may elect to exercise the
portion of such option to purchase the Company Additional Shares, in whole or in
part, only if the U.S. Representatives, on behalf of the U.S. Underwriters,
elect to exercise the portion of such option to purchase all of the Selling
Stockholders' Additional Shares. If the U.S. Representatives, on behalf of the
U.S. Underwriters, elect to exercise such option, the U.S. Representatives shall
so notify the Sellers in writing not later than 30 days after the date of this
Agreement, which notice shall specify the number of Additional Shares to be
purchased by the U.S. Underwriters and the date on which such shares are to be
purchased. Such date may be the same as the Closing Date (as defined below) but
not earlier than the Closing Date nor later than ten business days after the
date of such notice. Additional Shares may be purchased as provided in Section 5
hereof solely for the purpose of covering overallotments made in connection with
the offering of the Firm Shares. If any Additional Shares are to be purchased,
each U.S. Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase the number
of Additional Shares (subject to such adjustments to eliminate fractional shares
as the U.S. Representatives may determine) that bears the same proportion to the
total number of Additional Shares to be purchased as the number of U.S. Firm
Shares set forth in Schedule II hereto opposite the name of such U.S.
Underwriter bears to the total number of U.S. Firm Shares, and each of the
Sellers agrees, severally and not jointly, to sell up to the number of
Additional Shares set forth on Schedule IV opposite the name of such Seller.

        Each Seller hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of
Morgan Stanley on behalf of the Underwriters, it will not, during the period
ending 180 days after the date of the Prospectus, (i) offer, pledge, sell,
contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option
or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or
otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common
Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for
Common Stock or (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to
another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of
the Common Stock, whether any such transaction described in clause (i) or (ii)
above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in
cash or otherwise. The foregoing sentence shall not apply to (A) the Shares to
be sold hereunder, (B) the issuance by the Company of shares of Common Stock
upon the exercise of an option or warrant or the conversion of a security
outstanding on the date hereof and which option, warrant or conversion feature
is described in the Prospectus, (C) the sale of any shares of Common Stock to
the Company or the purchase of any shares of Common Stock by the Company in
accordance with certain Stockholders' Agreements pursuant to the Company's
employee benefit plans or (D) transactions by any person other than the Company
relating to shares of Common Stock or other securities acquired in open market
transactions after the completion of the offering of the Shares. In addition,
each Selling Stockholder, agrees that, without the prior written consent of
Morgan Stanley on behalf of the Underwriters, it will not, during the period
ending 180 days after the date of the Prospectus, make any demand for, or
exercise any right with respect to, the registration of any shares of Common
Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common
Stock which would cause the Company to file a registration statement with the
Commission prior to the expiration of such 180 day period.

        4. Terms of Public Offering. The Sellers are advised by you that the
Underwriters propose to make a public offering of their respective portions of
the Shares as soon after the Registration Statement and this Agreement have
become effective as in your judgment is advisable. The Sellers are further
advised by you that the Shares are to be offered to the public 


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initially at U.S.$______ a share (the "PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE") and to certain
dealers selected by you at a price that represents a concession not in excess of
U.S.$______ a share under the Public Offering Price, and that any Underwriter
may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession, not in excess of 
U.S.$______ a share, to any Underwriter or to certain other dealers.

        5. Payment and Delivery. Payment for the Firm Shares to be sold by each
Seller shall be made to such Seller in Federal or other funds immediately
available in New York City against delivery of such Firm Shares for the
respective accounts of the several Underwriters at 10:00 a.m., New York City
time, on ______, 1999, or at such other time on the same or such other date, not
later than ______, 1999 [INSERT DATE 5 BUSINESS DAYS AFTER THE IMMEDIATELY
PRECEDING DATE], as shall be designated in writing by you. The time and date of
such payment are hereinafter referred to as the "CLOSING DATE".

        Payment for any Additional Shares to be sold by each Seller shall be
made to such Seller in Federal or other funds immediately available in New York
City against delivery of such Additional Shares for the respective accounts of
the several U.S. Underwriters at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date
specified in the notice described in Section 3 or at such other time on the same
or on such other date, in any event not later than ______, 1999 [INSERT DATE 10
BUSINESS DAYS AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE GREENSHOE OPTION], as shall be
designated in writing by you. The time and date of such payment are hereinafter
referred to as the "OPTION CLOSING DATE".

        Certificates for the Firm Shares and Additional Shares shall be in
definitive form and registered in such names and in such denominations as you
shall request in writing not later than one full business day prior to the
Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be. The certificates
evidencing the Firm Shares and Additional Shares shall be delivered to you on
the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, for the
respective accounts of the several Underwriters, with any transfer taxes payable
in connection with the transfer of the Shares to the Underwriters duly paid,
against payment of the Purchase Price therefor.

        6. Conditions to the Underwriters' Obligations. The obligations of the
Sellers to sell the Shares to the Underwriters and the several obligations of
the Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Shares on the Closing Date are
subject to the condition that the Registration Statement shall have become
effective not later than the date hereof.

        The several obligations of the Underwriters are subject to the following
further conditions:

               (a) Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement
        and prior to the Closing Date:

                         (i) there shall not have occurred any downgrading, nor
               shall any notice have been given of any intended or potential
               downgrading or of any review for a possible change that does not
               indicate the direction of the possible change, in the rating
               accorded any of the Company's securities by any "nationally
               recognized statistical rating organization," as such term is
               defined for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Securities Act;
               and



                                       10
   12

                         (ii) there shall not have occurred any change, or any
               development involving a prospective change, in the condition,
               financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business or
               operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole,
               from that set forth in the Prospectus (exclusive of any
               amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this
               Agreement) that, in your judgment, is material and adverse and
               that makes it, in your judgment, impracticable to market the
               Shares on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the
               Prospectus.

               (b) (i) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date
               a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by an executive
               officer of the Company, to the effect set forth in Section
               6(a)(i) above and to the effect that the representations and
               warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement are true
               and correct as of the Closing Date and that the Company has
               complied with all of the agreements and satisfied all of the
               conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder on
               or before the Closing Date.

                      (ii) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing
               Date a certificate, dated the Closing Date from each Selling
               Stockholder signed by an officer of a corporation, a general
               partner of a limited partnership, a member of a limited liability
               company or a trustee of a trust from each Selling Stockholder
               that is a corporation, limited partnership or trust,
               respectively, to the effect that the representations and
               warranties of each Selling Stockholder contained in Section 2 of
               this Agreement are true and correct as of the Closing Date and
               that each Selling Stockholder has complied with all of the
               agreements and satisfied all of the conditions on its part to be
               performed or satisfied hereunder on or before the Closing Date.
               The officer, general partner or trustee, as the case may be,
               signing and delivering such certificate may rely upon the best of
               his or her knowledge as to proceedings threatened.

               (c) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date an
        opinion of Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton, outside counsel for the
        Company, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that:

                         (i) the Company has been duly incorporated and is
               validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws
               of its jurisdiction of incorporation;

                         (ii) the Company has corporate power to own its
               properties and conduct its business as described in the
               Prospectus, and the Company has corporate power to issue the
               Shares to be issued by it in the offering contemplated by this
               Agreement, to enter into the this Agreement and to perform its
               obligations hereunder;

                         (iii) the Shares have been duly authorized by all
               necessary corporate action of the Company, have been validly
               issued by the Company and are fully paid and nonassessable; and
               the holders of outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company
               are not entitled to any preemptive or similar rights to subscribe
               for 



                                       11
   13

               the Shares under the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of
               the Company or the laws of the State of Delaware;

                         (iv) the execution and delivery of this Agreement have
               been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the
               Company, and this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered
               by the Company;

                         (v) the issuance and sale of the Shares to the
               Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement, and the performance by
               the Company of its obligations in this Agreement and the Shares
               (A) do not require any consent, approval, authorization,
               registration or qualification of or with any governmental
               authority of the United States or the State of New York, except
               such as have been obtained or effected under the Securities Act
               and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
               "EXCHANGE ACT") (but such counsel need express no opinion as to
               any consent, approval, authorization, registration or
               qualification that may be required under state securities or Blue
               Sky laws); and (B) do not result in a breach or violation of any
               of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a default under,
               the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company;

                         (vi) the statements made in the Prospectus under the
               heading "Description of Capital Stock", insofar as such
               statements purport to summarize certain provisions of the Common
               Stock, the preferred stock of the Company, warrants to purchase
               Common Stock and the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of
               the Company, provide a fair summary of such provisions;

                         (vii) the statements made in the Prospectus under the
               heading "Certain U.S. Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders",
               insofar as such statements purport to summarize certain federal
               income tax laws of the United States, constitute a fair summary
               of the principal U.S. federal income tax consequences of an
               investment in the Shares;

                         (viii) the Company is not and, after giving effect to
               the offering and sale of the Shares and the application of the
               proceeds thereof as described in the Prospectus, will not be an
               "investment company" as such term is defined in the Investment
               Company Act of 1940, as amended; and

                         (ix) (A) the Registration Statement (except the
               financial statements and schedules and other financial data
               included therein, as to which such counsel need express no view),
               at the time it became effective, and the Prospectus (except as
               aforesaid), as of the date thereof, appeared on their face to be
               appropriately responsive in all material respects to the
               requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations
               of the Commission thereunder, and such counsel knows of no
               contracts or other documents of a character required to be filed
               as exhibits to the Registration Statement or required to be
               described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus that
               are not so filed or described as required; (B) no information has
               come to the attention of such counsel that causes it to believe
               that the Registration Statement (except the financial statements
               and schedules and 



                                       12
   14
               other financial data included therein, as to which such counsel
               need express no view), at the time it became effective,
               contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to
               state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
               to make the statements therein not misleading; and (C) no
               information has come to the attention of such counsel that
               causes it to believe that the Prospectus (except the financial
               statements and schedules and other financial data included
               therein, as to which such counsel need express no view), as of
               the date thereof or the Closing Date, contained or contains an
               untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state
               a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the
               light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
               misleading.

               (d) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date an
        opinion of William R. Sawyers, Vice President, General Counsel and
        Secretary of the Company, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that:

                         (i) the Company is duly qualified to transact business
               and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct
               of its business or its ownership or leasing of property requires
               such qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be
               so qualified or be in good standing would not have a material
               adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a
               whole;

                         (ii) each subsidiary of the Company has been duly
               incorporated, is validly existing as a corporation in good
               standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, has
               corporate power to own its property and to conduct its business
               as described in the Prospectus and is duly qualified to transact
               business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which
               the conduct of its business or its ownership or leasing of
               property requires such qualification, except to the extent that
               the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not
               have a material adverse effect on the Company and its
               subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

                         (iii) the shares of Common Stock (excluding the Shares)
               outstanding prior to the issuance of the Shares to be sold by the
               Company have been duly authorized and are validly issued and are
               fully paid and non-assessable;

                         (iv) all of the issued shares of capital stock of each
               subsidiary of the Company have been duly and validly authorized
               and issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned,
               directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all
               liens, encumbrances, equities or claims, except as described in
               the Prospectus;

                         (v) the issuance and sale of the Shares to be issued
               and sold by the Company to the Underwriters pursuant to this
               Agreement, and the performance by the Company of its obligations
               in this Agreement and the Shares (A) will not contravene any
               provision of applicable law that is material to the Company and
               its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (B) do not require any
               consent, approval, authorization, registration or qualification
               of or with any governmental authority that is material to the
               Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, except such 



                                       13
   15

               as have been obtained or effected under the Securities Act and
               the Exchange Act (but such counsel need express no opinion as to
               any consent, approval, authorization, registration or
               qualification that may be required under state securities or
               Blue Sky laws); and (C) do not result in a breach or violation
               of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default
               under, any agreement or other instrument binding upon the
               Company or any of its subsidiaries that is material to the
               Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or any judgment,
               decree or order of any governmental body, agency or court having
               jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries;

                        (vi) the statements made (A) in the Prospectus under the
               headings "Description of Certain Indebtedness" and "Shares
               Eligible for Future Sale" and (B) in the Registration Statement
               in Item 15, in each case insofar as such statements constitute
               summaries of the legal matters, documents or proceedings
               referred to therein, fairly present the information called for
               with respect to such legal matters, documents and proceedings;

                         (vii) after due inquiry, such counsel does not know of
               any legal or governmental proceedings pending or threatened to
               which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or to
               which any of the properties of the Company or any of its
               subsidiaries is subject that are required to be described in the
               Registration Statement or the Prospectus and are not so described
               or of any statutes, regulations, contracts or other documents
               that are required to be described in the Registration Statement
               or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration
               Statement that are not described or filed as required; and

                         (viii) the Company and its subsidiaries (A) are in
               compliance with any and all applicable Environmental Laws, (B)
               have received all permits, licenses or other approvals required
               of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their
               respective businesses and (C) are in compliance with all terms
               and conditions of any such permit, license or approval, except
               where such noncompliance with Environmental Laws, failure to
               receive required permits, licenses or other approvals or failure
               to comply with the terms and conditions of such permits, licenses
               or approvals would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a
               material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries,
               taken as a whole.

               (e) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date an
        opinion of the counsels named in Schedule V hereto (the "SELLING
        STOCKHOLDERS' COUNSELS") for each of the Selling Stockholders, dated the
        Closing Date, to the effect that:

                         (i) this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed
               and delivered by or on behalf of each of the Selling
               Stockholders;

                         (ii) the execution and delivery by each Selling
               Stockholder of, and the performance by such Selling Stockholder
               of its obligations under, this Agreement and the Custody
               Agreement and Power of Attorney of such Selling Stockholder will
               not contravene any provision of applicable law, or the
               certificate of 



                                       14
   16

              incorporation or by-laws of such Selling Stockholder (if such
              Selling Stockholder is a corporation), or the certificate of
              limited partnership, limited partnership agreement or other
              organizational documents (if such Selling Stockholder is a limited
              partnership, limited liability company or trust), or, to the best
              of such counsel's knowledge, any agreement or other instrument
              binding upon such Selling Stockholder or, to the best of such
              counsel's knowledge, any judgment, order or decree of any
              governmental body, agency or court having jurisdiction over such
              Selling Stockholder, and no consent, approval, authorization or
              order of, or qualification with, any governmental body or agency
              is required for the performance by such Selling Stockholder of its
              obligations under this Agreement or the Custody Agreement or Power
              of Attorney of such Selling Stockholder, except such as may be
              required by the Securities Act or the securities or Blue Sky laws
              of the various states in connection with offer and sale of the
              Shares;

                     (iii) each of the Selling Stockholders has valid title to
              the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder and the legal
              right and power, and all authorization and approval required by
              law, to enter into this Agreement and the Custody Agreement and
              Power of Attorney of such Selling Stockholder and to sell,
              transfer and deliver the Shares to be sold by such Selling
              Stockholder;

                     (iv) the Custody Agreement and the Power of Attorney of
              each Selling Stockholder have been duly authorized, executed and
              delivered by such Selling Stockholder and are valid and binding
              agreements of such Selling Stockholder;

                     (v) delivery of the Shares to be sold by each Selling
              Stockholder pursuant to this Agreement will pass title to such
              Shares free and clear of any security interests, claims, liens,
              equities and other encumbrances to the Underwriters who have
              purchased such Shares in good faith and without notice of any
              adverse claim (as such term is used in the Uniform Commercial Code
              as in effect in the State of New York); and

                     (vi) such counsel shall state that it (A) has no reason to
              believe that (except for financial statements and schedules and
              other financial and statistical data as to which such counsel need
              not express any belief) the Registration Statement and the
              prospectus included therein at the time the Registration Statement
              became effective contained any untrue statement of a material fact
              or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein
              or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and (B)
              has no reason to believe that (except for financial statements and
              schedules and other financial and statistical data as to which
              such counsel need not express any belief) the Prospectus contains
              any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a
              material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein,
              in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
              misleading, except that the statements set forth in this paragraph
              6(e)(vi) only apply to statements or omissions in the Registration
              Statement or the Prospectus based upon information relating to any
              Selling Stockholder furnished to the Company in writing by such
              Selling Stockholder through you expressly for use therein.



                                       15
   17

               (f) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date an
        opinion of Brown & Wood LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, dated the
        Closing Date, covering the matters referred to in Sections 6(c)(iii),
        6(c)(iv), 6(c)(vi) and 6(c)(ix) above.

               With respect to Section 6(c)(ix) above, Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen &
        Hamilton and Brown & Wood LLP and with respect to Section 6(e)(vi)
        above, the Selling Stockholders' Counsels, may state that their opinion
        and belief are based upon their participation in the preparation of the
        Registration Statement and Prospectus and any amendments or supplements
        thereto and review and discussion of the contents thereof, but are
        without independent check or verification, except as specified. With
        respect to Section 6(e) above, the Selling Stockholders' Counsels may
        rely upon an opinion or opinions of counsel for any Selling Stockholders
        and, with respect to factual matters and to the extent such counsel
        deems appropriate, upon the representations of each Selling Stockholder
        contained herein and in the Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney of
        such Selling Stockholder and in other documents and instruments;
        provided that (A) each such counsel for the Selling Stockholders is
        satisfactory to your counsel, (B) a copy of each opinion so relied upon
        is delivered to you and is in form and substance satisfactory to your
        counsel, (C) copies of such Custody Agreements and Powers of Attorney
        and of any such other documents and instruments shall be delivered to
        you and shall be in form and substance satisfactory to your counsel and
        (D) the Selling Stockholders' Counsels shall state in their opinion that
        they are justified in relying on each such other opinion.

               The opinions of Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton, William R.
        Sawyers, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company,
        and the Selling Stockholders' Counsels described in Sections 6(c), 6(d)
        and 6(e) above (and any opinions of counsel for any Selling Stockholder
        referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph) shall be rendered to
        the Underwriters at the request of the Company or one or more of the
        Selling Stockholders, as the case may be, and shall so state therein.

               (g) The Underwriters shall have received, on each of the date
        hereof and the Closing Date, a letter dated the date hereof or the
        Closing Date, as the case may be, in form and substance satisfactory to
        the Underwriters, from KPMG LLP, independent public accountants, and
        Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, containing statements and
        information of the type ordinarily included in accountants' "comfort
        letters" to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and
        certain financial information contained in the Registration Statement
        and the Prospectus; provided that the letter delivered on the Closing
        Date shall use a "cut-off date" not earlier than the date hereof.

               (h) The "lock-up" agreements, each substantially in the form of
        Exhibit A hereto, between you and certain stockholders, officers and
        directors of the Company relating to sales and certain other
        dispositions of shares of Common Stock or certain other securities,
        delivered to you on or before the date hereof, shall be in full force
        and effect on the Closing Date.

        The several obligations of the Underwriters to purchase Additional
Shares hereunder are subject to the delivery to you on the Option Closing Date
of such documents as you may reasonably request with respect to the good
standing of the Company, the due authorization and 


                                       16
   18

issuance of the Additional Shares and other matters related to the issuance of
the Additional Shares.

        7. Covenants of the Company. In further consideration of the agreements
of the Underwriters herein contained, the Company covenants with each
Underwriter as follows:

               (a) To furnish to you, without charge, ten signed copies of the
        Registration Statement (including exhibits thereto) and for delivery to
        each other Underwriter a conformed copy of the Registration Statement
        (without exhibits thereto) and to furnish to you in New York City,
        without charge, prior to 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the business
        day next succeeding the date of this Agreement and during the period
        mentioned in Section 7(c) below, as many copies of the Prospectus and
        any supplements and amendments thereto or to the Registration Statement
        as you may reasonably request.

               (b) Before amending or supplementing the Registration Statement
        or the Prospectus, to furnish to you a copy of each such proposed
        amendment or supplement and not to file any such proposed amendment or
        supplement to which you reasonably object, and to file with the
        Commission within the applicable period specified in Rule 424(b) under
        the Securities Act any prospectus required to be filed pursuant to such
        Rule.

               (c) If, during such period after the first date of the public
        offering of the Shares as in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters
        the Prospectus is required by law to be delivered in connection with
        sales by an Underwriter or dealer, any event shall occur or condition
        exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the
        Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
        circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not
        misleading, or if, in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters, it is
        necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with
        applicable law, forthwith to prepare, file with the Commission and
        furnish to the Underwriters and to the dealers (whose names and
        addresses you will furnish to the Company) to which Shares may have been
        sold by you on behalf of the Underwriters and to any other dealers upon
        request, either amendments or supplements to the Prospectus so that the
        statements in the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not, in
        the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a
        purchaser, be misleading or so that the Prospectus, as amended or
        supplemented, will comply with law. If, in accordance with the preceding
        sentence, it shall be necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus at
        any time prior to the expiration of nine months after the first date of
        the public offering of the Shares, the Company shall prepare, file and
        furnish such amendment or supplement at its own expense. Thereafter, the
        Underwriters shall bear the expense of preparing, filing and furnishing
        any such amendment or supplement.

               (d) To endeavor to qualify the Shares for offer and sale under
        the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as you shall
        reasonably request.

               (e) To make generally available to the Company's security holders
        and to you as soon as practicable an earning statement covering the
        twelve-month period ending June 30, 1999 that satisfies the provisions
        of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of
        the Commission thereunder.



                                       17
   19

               (f) In connection with the Directed Share Program, to ensure that
        the Directed Shares will be restricted to the extent required by the
        National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") or the
        NASD rules from sale, transfer, assignment, pledge or hypothecation for
        a period of three months following the date of the effectiveness of the
        Registration Statement. Morgan Stanley will notify the Company as to
        which Participants will need to be so restricted. The Company will
        direct the transfer agent to place stop transfer restrictions upon such
        securities for such period of time.

        8. Expenses. Whether or not the transactions contemplated in this
Agreement are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, the Company agrees to
pay or cause to be paid all expenses incident to the performance of its
obligations under this Agreement, including: (i) the fees, disbursements and
expenses of the Company's counsel, the Company's accountants and counsel for the
Selling Stockholders in connection with the registration and delivery of the
Shares under the Securities Act and all other fees or expenses in connection
with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement, any preliminary
prospectus, the Prospectus and amendments and supplements to any of the
foregoing, including all printing costs associated therewith, and the mailing
and delivering of copies thereof to the Underwriters and dealers, in the
quantities hereinabove specified, (ii) all costs and expenses related to the
transfer and delivery of the Shares to the Underwriters, including any transfer
or other taxes payable thereon, (iii) the cost of printing or producing any Blue
Sky or Legal Investment memorandum in connection with the offer and sale of the
Shares under state securities laws and all expenses in connection with the
qualification of the Shares for offer and sale under state securities laws as
provided in Section 7(d) hereof, including filing fees and the reasonable fees
and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with such
qualification and in connection with the Blue Sky or Legal Investment
memorandum, (iv) all filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of
counsel to the Underwriters incurred in connection with the review and
qualification of the offering of the Shares by the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc., including any fees and disbursements of counsel
incurred on behalf of or disbursements by A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. ("A.G.
EDWARDS") in its capacity as "qualified independent underwriter", (v) all fees
and expenses in connection with the preparation and filing of the registration
statement on Form 8-A relating to the Common Stock and all costs and expenses
incident to listing the Shares on the NYSE and the Pacific Exchange, (vi) the
cost of printing certificates representing the Shares, (vii) the costs and
charges of any transfer agent, registrar or depositary, (viii) the costs and
expenses of the Company relating to investor presentations on any "road show"
undertaken in connection with the marketing of the offering of the Shares,
including, without limitation, expenses associated with the production of road
show slides and graphics, fees and expenses of any consultants engaged in
connection with the road show presentations with the prior approval of the
Company, travel and lodging expenses of the representatives and officers of the
Company and any such consultants, and the cost of any aircraft chartered in
connection with the road show, (ix) all fees and disbursements of counsel
incurred by the Underwriters in connection with the Directed Share Program and
stamp duties, similar taxes or duties or other taxes, if any, incurred by the
Underwriters in connection with the Directed Share Program, and (x) all other
costs and expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the Company
hereunder for which provision is not otherwise made in this Section 8. It is
understood, however, that except as provided in this Section 8, Section 9
entitled "Indemnity and Contribution", and the last paragraph of Section 11
below, the Underwriters will pay all of their costs and expenses, including fees
and disbursements of their counsel, stock transfer taxes 



                                       18
   20

payable on resale of any of the Shares by them and any advertising expenses
connected with any offers they may make.

        The provisions of this Section shall not supersede or otherwise affect
any agreement that the Sellers may otherwise have for the allocation of such
expenses among themselves.

        9.     Indemnity and Contribution.

               (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each
        Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within
        the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of
        the Exchange Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages
        and liabilities (including, without limitation, any reasonable legal or
        other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with defending or
        investigating any such action or claim) caused by any untrue statement
        or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the
        Registration Statement or any amendment thereof, any preliminary
        prospectus or the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the Company
        shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto), or caused
        by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
        required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
        therein not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages
        or liabilities are caused by any such untrue statement or omission or
        alleged untrue statement or omission based upon information relating to
        any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter
        through you expressly for use therein.

               (b) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Morgan
        Stanley and each person, if any, who controls Morgan Stanley within the
        meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the
        Exchange Act ("MORGAN STANLEY ENTITIES"), from and against any and all
        losses, claims, damages, liabilities and judgments (including, without
        limitation, any reasonable legal or other expenses reasonably incurred
        in connection with defending or investigating any such action or claim)
        (i) caused by the failure of any Participant to pay for and accept
        delivery of the shares which, immediately following the effectiveness of
        the Registration Statement, were subject to a properly confirmed
        agreement to purchase; or (ii) related to, arising out of, or in
        connection with the Directed Share Program, provided that, the Company
        shall not be responsible under this subparagraph (ii) for any losses,
        claims, damages, liabilities or judgments (or expenses relating thereto)
        that are finally judicially determined to have resulted from the bad
        faith or gross negligence of Morgan Stanley Entities.

               (c) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless A.G.
        Edwards and each person, if any, who controls A.G. Edwards within the
        meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the
        Exchange Act ("A.G. EDWARDS ENTITIES"), from and against any and all
        losses, claims, damages, liabilities and judgments (including, without
        limitation, any reasonable legal or other expenses reasonably incurred
        in connection with defending or investigating any such action or claim)
        related to, arising out of, or in connection with A.G. Edwards'
        participation as a "qualified independent underwriter" within the
        meaning of Rule 2720 of the National Association of Securities Dealers'
        Conduct Rules in connection with the offering of the Shares, provided
        that, the 


                                       19
   21

        Company shall not be responsible under this Section 9(c) for any losses,
        claims, damages, liabilities or judgments (or expenses relating thereto)
        that are finally judicially determined to have resulted from the bad
        faith or gross negligence of A.G. Edwards Entities.

               (d) Each Selling Stockholder agrees, severally and not jointly,
        to indemnify and hold harmless (i) the Company, its directors, its
        officers who sign the Registration Statement and each person, if any,
        who controls the Company within the meaning of either Section 15 of the
        Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and (ii) each
        Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within
        the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of
        the Exchange Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages
        and liabilities (including, without limitation, any reasonable legal or
        other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with defending or
        investigating any such action or claim) caused by any untrue statement
        or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the
        Registration Statement or any amendment thereof, any preliminary
        prospectus or the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the Company
        shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto), or caused
        by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
        required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
        therein not misleading, but only with reference to information relating
        to such Selling Stockholder furnished in writing by or on behalf of such
        Selling Stockholder expressly for use in the Registration Statement, any
        preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or any amendments or supplements
        thereto.

                (e) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each
        Selling Stockholder and each person, if any, who controls each Selling
        Stockholder within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities
        Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any and all
        losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation,
        any reasonable legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection
        with defending or investigating any such action or claim) caused by any
        untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
        contained in the Registration Statement or any amendment thereof, any
        preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if
        the Company shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto),
        or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a
        material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
        statements therein not misleading, except insofar as such losses,
        claims, damages or liabilities are caused by any such untrue statement
        or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission based upon
        information relating to any Selling Stockholder furnished to the Company
        in writing by such Selling Stockholder expressly for use therein.

               (f) Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to
        indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Selling Stockholders, the
        directors of the Company, the officers of the Company who sign the
        Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company
        or any Selling Stockholder within the meaning of either Section 15 of
        the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act from and against
        any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without
        limitation, any reasonable legal or other expenses reasonably incurred
        in connection with defending or 



                                       20
   22

        investigating any such action or claim) caused by any untrue statement
        or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the
        Registration Statement or any amendment thereof, any preliminary
        prospectus or the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the Company
        shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto), or caused
        by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
        required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
        therein not misleading, but only with reference to information relating
        to such Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such
        Underwriter through you expressly for use in the Registration Statement,
        any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or any amendments or
        supplements thereto.

                (g) In case any proceeding (including any governmental
        investigation) shall be instituted involving any person in respect of
        which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 9(a), 9(b), 9(c),
        9(d), 9(e) or 9(f), such person (the "INDEMNIFIED PARTY") shall promptly
        notify the person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the
        "INDEMNIFYING PARTY") in writing and the indemnifying party, upon
        request of the indemnified party, shall retain counsel reasonably
        satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party
        and any others the indemnifying party may designate in such proceeding
        and shall pay the fees and disbursements of such counsel related to such
        proceeding. In any such proceeding, any indemnified party shall have the
        right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such
        counsel shall be at the expense of such indemnified party unless (i) the
        indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have mutually agreed
        to the retention of such counsel or (ii) the named parties to any such
        proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the
        indemnifying party and the indemnified party and representation of both
        parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or
        potential differing interests between them. It is understood that the
        indemnifying party shall not, in respect of the legal expenses of any
        indemnified party in connection with any proceeding or related
        proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for (i) the reasonable
        fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any
        local counsel) for all Underwriters and all persons, if any, who control
        any Underwriter within the meaning of either Section 15 of the
        Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, (ii) the reasonable
        fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any
        local counsel) for the Company, its directors, its officers who sign the
        Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company
        within the meaning of either such Section and (iii) the reasonable fees
        and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local
        counsel) for all Selling Stockholders and all persons, if any, who
        control any Selling Stockholder within the meaning of either such
        Section, and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they
        are incurred. In the case of any such separate firm for the Underwriters
        and such control persons of any Underwriters, such firm shall be
        designated in writing by Morgan Stanley. In the case of any such
        separate firm for the Company, and such directors, officers and control
        persons of the Company, such firm shall be designated in writing by the
        Company. In the case of any such separate firm for the Selling
        Stockholders and such control persons of any Selling Stockholders, such
        firm shall be designated in writing by the Selling Stockholders holding
        a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock held by the Selling
        Stockholders considered as a group. The indemnifying party shall not be
        liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written
        consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final
        judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to 



                                       21
   23

        indemnify the indemnified party from and against any loss or liability
        by reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing
        sentence, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an
        indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and
        expenses of counsel as contemplated by the second and third sentences of
        this paragraph, the indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable
        for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written
        consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 90 days after
        receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request and (ii)
        such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed the indemnified party
        in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement. No
        indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the
        indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened
        proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have
        been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such
        indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional
        release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are
        the subject matter of such proceeding. Notwithstanding anything
        contained herein to the contrary, if indemnity may be sought pursuant to
        Section 9(b) hereof in respect of such action or proceeding, then in
        addition to such separate firm for the indemnified parties, the
        indemnifying party shall be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses
        of not more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel)
        for Morgan Stanley and the Morgan Stanley Entities for the defense of
        any losses, claims, damages and liabilities arising out of the Directed
        Share Program, if the representation of Morgan Stanley or the Morgan
        Stanley Entities by such separate firm for the indemnified parties with
        respect to such defense relating to the Directed Share Program would be
        inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between
        Morgan Stanley or the Morgan Stanley Entities on the one hand and the
        other indemnified parties on the other hand. Notwithstanding anything
        contained herein to the contrary, if indemnity may be sought pursuant to
        Section 9(c) hereof in respect of such action or proceeding, then in
        addition to such separate firm for the indemnified parties, the
        indemnifying party shall be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses
        of not more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel)
        for A.G. Edwards and the A.G. Edwards Entities in their capacity as a
        "qualified independent underwriter."

               (h) To the extent the indemnification provided for in Section
        9(a), 9(b), 9(c), 9(d), 9(e) or 9(f) is unavailable to an indemnified
        party or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or
        liabilities referred to therein, then each indemnifying party under such
        paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party thereunder,
        shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party
        as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (i) in such
        proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received
        by the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and the indemnified
        party or parties on the other hand from the offering of the Shares or
        (ii) if the allocation provided by clause 9(h)(i) above is not permitted
        by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not
        only the relative benefits referred to in clause 9(h)(i) above but also
        the relative fault of the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand
        and of the indemnified party or parties on the other hand in connection
        with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims,
        damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable
        considerations. The relative benefits received by the Sellers on the one
        hand and the Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the


                                       22
   24

        offering of the Shares shall be deemed to be in the same respective
        proportions as the net proceeds from the offering of the Shares (before
        deducting expenses) received by each Seller and the total underwriting
        discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters, in each case as
        set forth in the table on the cover of the Prospectus, bear to the
        aggregate Public Offering Price of the Shares. The relative fault of the
        Sellers on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand shall be
        determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or
        alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged
        omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the
        Sellers or by the Underwriters and the parties' relative intent,
        knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent
        such statement or omission. The Underwriters' respective obligations to
        contribute pursuant to this Section 9 are several in proportion to the
        respective number of Shares they have purchased hereunder, and not
        joint.

               (i) The Sellers and the Underwriters agree that it would not be
        just or equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 9 were
        determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated
        as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation
        that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to
        in Section 9(h). The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a
        result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in the
        immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to
        the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably
        incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or
        defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of
        this Section 9, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any
        amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the
        Shares underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to
        the public exceeds the amount of any damages that such Underwriter has
        otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged
        untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. Notwithstanding the
        provisions of this Section 9, no Selling Stockholder shall be required
        to indemnify or contribute any amount in excess of the net proceeds from
        the offering of the Shares (before deducting expenses) received by such
        Selling Stockholder, by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue
        statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of
        fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the
        Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who
        was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The remedies
        provided for in this Section 9 are not exclusive and shall not limit any
        rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to any indemnified
        party at law or in equity.

               (j) The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this
        Section 9 and the representations, warranties and other statements of
        the Company and the Selling Stockholders contained in this Agreement
        shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i)
        any termination of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on
        behalf of any Underwriter or any person controlling any Underwriter, any
        Selling Stockholder or any person controlling any Selling Stockholder,
        or the Company, its officers or directors or any person controlling the
        Company and (iii) acceptance of and payment for any of the Shares.



                                       23
   25

        10. Termination. This Agreement shall be subject to termination by
notice given by you to the Company, if (a) after the execution and delivery of
this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date (i) trading generally shall have
been suspended or materially limited on or by, as the case may be, any of the
New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc., the Chicago Board of Options Exchange, the Chicago
Mercantile Exchange or the Chicago Board of Trade, (ii) trading of any
securities of the Company shall have been suspended on any exchange or in any
over-the-counter market, (iii) a general moratorium on commercial banking
activities in New York shall have been declared by either Federal or New York
State authorities or (iv) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation
of hostilities or any change in financial markets or any calamity or crisis
that, in your judgment, is material and adverse and (b) in the case of any of
the events specified in clauses 10(a)(i) through 10(a)(iv), such event, singly
or together with any other such event, makes it, in your judgment, impracticable
to market the Shares on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the
Prospectus.

        11. Effectiveness; Defaulting Underwriters. This Agreement shall become
effective upon the execution and delivery hereof by the parties hereto.

        If, on the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be,
any one or more of the Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Shares that
it has or they have agreed to purchase hereunder on such date, and the aggregate
number of Shares which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but
failed or refused to purchase is not more than one-tenth of the aggregate number
of the Shares to be purchased on such date, the other Underwriters shall be
obligated severally in the proportions that the number of Firm Shares set forth
opposite their respective names in Schedule II or Schedule III bears to the
aggregate number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the names of all such
non-defaulting Underwriters, or in such other proportions as you may specify, to
purchase the Shares which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but
failed or refused to purchase on such date; provided that in no event shall the
number of Shares that any Underwriter has agreed to purchase pursuant to this
Agreement be increased pursuant to this Section 11 by an amount in excess of
one-ninth of such number of Shares without the written consent of such
Underwriter. If, on the Closing Date, any Underwriter or Underwriters shall fail
or refuse to purchase Firm Shares and the aggregate number of Firm Shares with
respect to which such default occurs is more than one-tenth of the aggregate
number of Firm Shares to be purchased, and arrangements satisfactory to you, the
Company and the Selling Stockholders for the purchase of such Firm Shares are
not made within 36 hours after such default, this Agreement shall terminate
without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter, the Company or
the Selling Stockholders. In any such case either you or the relevant Sellers
shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date, but in no event for longer
than seven days, in order that the required changes, if any, in the Registration
Statement and in the Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements may be
effected. If, on the Option Closing Date, any Underwriter or Underwriters shall
fail or refuse to purchase Additional Shares and the aggregate number of
Additional Shares with respect to which such default occurs is more than
one-tenth of the aggregate number of Additional Shares to be purchased, the
non-defaulting Underwriters shall have the option to (i) terminate their
obligation hereunder to purchase Additional Shares or (ii) purchase not less
than the number of Additional Shares that such non-defaulting Underwriters would
have been obligated to purchase in the absence of such default. 



                                       24
   26

Any action taken under this paragraph shall not relieve any defaulting
Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of such Underwriter under
this Agreement.

        If this Agreement shall be terminated by the Underwriters, or any of
them, because of any failure or refusal on the part of any Seller to comply with
the terms or to fulfill any of the conditions of this Agreement, or if for any
reason any Seller shall be unable to perform its obligations under this
Agreement, the Sellers will reimburse the Underwriters or such Underwriters as
have so terminated this Agreement with respect to themselves, severally, for all
out-of-pocket expenses (including the reasonable fees and disbursements of their
counsel) reasonably incurred by such Underwriters in connection with this
Agreement or the offering contemplated hereunder.

        12. Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the
signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

        13. Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.

        14. Headings. The headings of the sections of this Agreement have been
inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed a part of
this Agreement.


                                       25
   27

                               Very truly yours,

                               DEL MONTE FOODS COMPANY




                               By:
                                  -------------------------------------------
                                  Name:
                                  Title:

                               The Selling Stockholders named in Schedule I
                               hereto, acting severally




                               By:
                                  -------------------------------------------
                                              Attorney-in-Fact




Accepted as of the date hereof

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
            Incorporated
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.
BT Alex. Brown Incorporated
NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC

Acting severally on behalf of
    themselves and the several U.S.
    Underwriters named in Schedule II
    hereto.



By:  Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated




By:                                             
   ------------------------------------
   Name:
   Title:




                                       26
   28

Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited
Goldman Sachs International
Credit Suisse First Boston (Europe) Limited
Merrill Lynch International
Bear, Stearns International Limited
BT Alex. Brown International, a division of Bankers Trust International PLC
NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC



Acting severally on behalf of
     themselves and the several
     International Underwriters named
     in Schedule III hereto

By:   Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited



By:                                              
   ---------------------------------------
   Name:
   Title:



                                       27
   29

                                                                      SCHEDULE I


                              SELLING STOCKHOLDERS



                                                                              NUMBER OF FIRM
                                                                                SHARES TO BE
      SELLING STOCKHOLDER                                                           SOLD
                                                                          
  TPG Partners, L.P....................................................
  TPG Parallel I, L.P..................................................
  Squam Lake Investors II, L.P.........................................
  Sunapee Securities, Inc..............................................
  MIG Partners III.....................................................
  BankAmerica Investment Corporation...................................
  Westar Capital.......................................................
  TCW/Crescent Mezzanine Partners, L.P.................................
  TCW/Crescent Mezzanine
     Investment Partners, L.P..........................................
  TCW/Crescent Mezzanine Trust.........................................
  Vencap Investment Pte Ltd............................................
  BT Investment Partners...............................................
  Robert J. Carbonell..................................................
  Stephen Sherrill.....................................................
                                                                              -----------------
         Total.........................................................
                                                                              =================




   30
                                                                     SCHEDULE II


                                U.S. UNDERWRITERS





                                                                               NUMBER OF FIRM
                                                                                SHARES TO BE
    UNDERWRITER                                                                   PURCHASED
                                                                           
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated....................................
Goldman, Sachs & Co. ................................................
Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation...............................
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated...................
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc..............................................
BT Alex. Brown Incorporated..........................................
NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC................................

[NAMES OF OTHER U.S. UNDERWRITERS]













                                                                                --------------
        Total U.S. Firm Shares.......................................         
                                                                                ==============


   31
                                                                    SCHEDULE III


                           INTERNATIONAL UNDERWRITERS





                                                                                   NUMBER OF FIRM
                                                                                    SHARES TO BE
                    UNDERWRITER                                                       PURCHASED
                                                                                
       Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited...........................
       Goldman Sachs International
       Credit Suisse First Boston (Europe) Limited..........................
       Merrill Lynch International..........................................
       Bear, Stearns International Limited..................................
       BT Alex. Brown International, a division of Bankers Trust 
           International PLC................................................
       NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC................................

       [NAMES OF OTHER INTERNATIONAL UNDERWRITERS]



                                                                                     -----------
          Total International Firm Shares...................................     
                                                                                     ===========





   32
                                                                     SCHEDULE IV





                                                                           MAXIMUM NUMBER OF
                                                                           ADDITIONAL SHARES
                 NAME OF SELLER                                               TO BE SOLD
                                                                        
Del Monte Foods Company...........................................
TPG Partners, L.P.................................................
TPG Parallel I, L.P...............................................
Squam Lake Investors II, L.P......................................
Sunapee Securities, Inc...........................................
MIG Partners III..................................................
BankAmerica Investment Corporation................................
Westar Capital....................................................
TCW/Crescent Mezzanine Partners, L.P..............................
TCW/Crescent Mezzanine
    Investment Partners, L.P......................................
TCW/Crescent Mezzanine Trust......................................
Vencap Investment Pte Ltd.........................................
BT Investment Partners............................................
Robert J. Carbonell...............................................
Stephen Sherrill..................................................
                                                                           ------------------
        Total.....................................................
                                                                           ==================



   33
                                   SCHEDULE V

                         SELLING STOCKHOLDERS' COUNSELS



                        [TO BE REVISED AS IS APPROPRIATE]





                                                           NAME OF COUNSEL TO SUCH SELLING
          SELLING STOCKHOLDER                                        STOCKHOLDER
                                                        
  TPG Partners, L.P..................................
  TPG Parallel I, L.P................................
  Squam Lake Investors II, L.P.......................
  Sunapee Securities, Inc............................
  MIG Partners III...................................
  BankAmerica Investment Corporation.................
  Westar Capital.....................................
  TCW/Crescent Mezzanine Partners, L.P...............     O'Melveny & Myers LLP
                                                          (Washington, D.C.)
  TCW/Crescent Mezzanine                                  O'Melveny & Myers LLP
     Investment Partners, L.P........................     (Washington, D.C.)
  TCW/Crescent Mezzanine Trust.......................     O'Melveny & Myers LLP
                                                          (Washington, D.C.)
  Vencap Investment Pte Ltd..........................     Heller Ehrman White & McAuliffe
                                                          (San Francisco, California)
  BT Investment Partners.............................
  Robert J. Carbonell................................
  Stephen Sherrill...................................




   34
                                                                       EXHIBIT A


                            [FORM OF LOCK-UP LETTER]

                                                                    ______, 1999


Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
            Incorporated
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.
BT Alex. Brown Incorporated
NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC
c/o  Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
     1585 Broadway
     New York, New York  10036

Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited
Goldman Sachs International
Credit Suisse First Boston (Europe) Limited
Merrill Lynch International
Bear, Stearns International Limited
BT Alex. Brown International, a division of Bankers Trust International PLC
NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC
 c/o    Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
        1585 Broadway
        New York, New York  10036

Dear Sirs and Mesdames:

        The undersigned understands that Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
("MORGAN STANLEY") and Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited ("MSIL")
propose to enter into an Underwriting Agreement (the "UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT")
with Del Monte Foods Company, a Delaware corporation (the "COMPANY") and certain
stockholders of the Company (the "SELLING STOCKHOLDERS") providing for the
public offering (the "PUBLIC OFFERING") by the several Underwriters, including
Morgan Stanley and MSIL (the "UNDERWRITERS") of ______ shares (the "SHARES") of
the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the "COMMON
STOCK").

        To induce the Underwriters that may participate in the Public Offering
to continue their efforts in connection with the Public Offering, the
undersigned hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of Morgan
Stanley on behalf of the Underwriters, it will not, during the period commencing
on the date hereof and ending 180 days after the date of the final U.S. and
International prospectuses relating to the Public Offering (the "Prospectuses"),
(1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to
purchase, purchase any option or contract to 


                                      A-1

   35

sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise
transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock or
any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock
or (2) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in
whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of Common Stock,
whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be
settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or
otherwise. The foregoing sentence shall not apply to (a) the sale of any Shares
to the Underwriters pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, (b) the issuance by
the Company of the shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of an option or
warrant or the conversion of a security outstanding on the date of the
Prospectuses and which option, warrant or conversion feature is described in the
Prospectuses, (c) if applicable, the sale of any shares of Common Stock to the
Company or the purchase of any shares of Common Stock by the Company in
accordance with the undersigned's Stockholders' Agreement pursuant to the
Company's employee benefit plans or (d) transactions relating to shares of
Common Stock or other securities acquired in open market transactions after the
completion of the Public Offering. In addition, the undersigned agrees that,
without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley on behalf of the
Underwriters, it will not, during the period commencing on the date hereof and
ending 180 days after the date of the Prospectuses, make any demand for, or
exercise any right with respect to, the registration of any shares of Common
Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common
Stock which would cause the Company to file a registration statement with the
Securities and Exchange Commission prior to the expiration of such 180 day
period.

        Whether or not the Public Offering actually occurs depends on a number
of factors, including market conditions. Any Public Offering will only be made
pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the terms of which are subject to
negotiation between the Company, the Selling Stockholders and the Underwriters.

                                    Very truly yours,



                                    ---------------------------------------
                                    (Name)


                                    ---------------------------------------
                                    (Address)

                                       A-2