EXHIBIT 99.1

                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS






     As independent public  accountants,  we hereby consent to the incorporation
by reference  in this Form 8-K of our report  dated July 30,  1997,  included in
Registration Statements File Nos. 333-12255, 333-12257, 333-31569, 333-31571 and
33-93348.  It should be noted that we have not audited any financial  statements
of the  Company  subsequent  to  December  31,  1996,  or  performed  any  audit
procedures subsequent to the date of our report. 


                                        ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP




Baltimore, Maryland
August 26, 1997