AGREEMENT FOR SALE AND PURCHASE OF ASSETS
                            AND RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS

          THIS  AGREEMENT  is made as of April  29,  1998,  by and  among  FIRST
COMMUNITY  CARE,  INC., a New York  corporation,  having its principal  place of
business  at 210 John  Glenn  Drive,  Suite 12,  Amherst,  New York  14228  (the
"SELLER" or the  "CORPORATION"),  each of the holders of capital stock of Seller
who  are  executing  this  Agreement  (the  "SHAREHOLDERS"),  NORTHEAST  MEDICAL
EQUIPMENT,  INC., a Florida  corporation  (the "BUYER"),  and INTEGRATED  HEALTH
SERVICES, INC., a Delaware corporation ("IHS").

                              W I T N E S S E T H :

         WHEREAS,  Seller operates a home  respiratory  care and durable medical
equipment business in the State of New York (the "BUSINESS"); and

         WHEREAS, Shareholders are the shareholders of the Seller; and

         WHEREAS,  Seller  wishes to sell,  and Buyer  desires to purchase  from
Seller,  substantially all of the assets of the Business; and Buyer also desires
to acquire  from Seller and  Shareholders,  and each of Seller and  Shareholders
desire  to grant to  Buyer,  covenants  not to  compete  and  other  restrictive
covenants as described in paragraph 17 hereof (the "RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS"); and

         WHEREAS, Buyer is an indirect subsidiary of IHS; and

         WHEREAS,  the  consent or approval  of all  persons  necessary  for the
consummation  of  the  transactions   contemplated  hereby  has  been  obtained,
including  without  limitation,  all approvals of  governmental  authorities and
parties to any contracts to be assigned to Buyer in connection herewith.

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the mutual  promises  contained
herein  and  for  other  good  and  valuable  consideration,   the  receipt  and
sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, it is hereby agreed as follows:

         1.  Sale of Assets and Restrictive Covenants.

             (a) The Assets.  On the Closing Date referred to below in paragraph
9, Seller shall sell, transfer,  convey and assign, free and clear of all liens,
claims, security interests,  pledges,  restrictions on transfer or use and other
encumbrances  of any kind or  nature  whatsoever  ("LIENS"),  other  than  Liens
granted after the date hereof with the concurrence of Buyer ("PERMITTED LIENS"),
all of Seller' rights, title and interest in, to or under:

                  (i) Accounts Receivable. All of the accounts receivable of the
         Business,  including,  without limitation,  all accounts receivable set
         forth on the Schedule of Accounts  Receivable  Data attached  hereto as
         Schedule 1(a)(i); and

                  (ii) Inventory;  Fixed Assets.  All inventory and fixed assets
         of the Business,  including,  without  limitation,  all of the same set
         forth on the Schedule of Inventory and Fixed Assets  attached hereto as
         Schedule 1(a)(ii); and



                                       -1-






                  (iii) Motor  Vehicles.  All motor  vehicles  of the  Business,
         including without limitation, all of the same set forth on the Schedule
         of Motor Vehicles attached hereto as Schedule 1(a)(iii); and

                  (iv) Property Rights. All real property,  easements and rights
         of way permitting access to the Business; and

                  (v) Other  Assets.  All other assets of any kind,  tangible or
         intangible,  real, personal or mixed, owned and used or held for use by
         Seller in connection with the Business,  including, without limitation,
         all of the  following:  (A)  the  Patients'  List of the  Business,  as
         described in Schedule  1(a)(v)(A);  (B) the telephone numbers listed on
         the  Schedule of  Telephone  Numbers and  Licenses  attached  hereto as
         Schedule   1(a)(v)(B);   (C)  all  personal  property,   machinery  and
         equipment;   (D)  capital   stock  or   membership   interests  in  the
         Subsidiaries  (as  defined  in  paragraph  14(a)),  including,  without
         limitation,  all capital stock in First Community Care of Niagara, Inc.
         and  membership  interests in Tri-County  Home Care  Services,  LLC and
         First Community Care of Bassett,  LLC (the "JV INTERESTS");  (E) all of
         Seller's  prepaid  assets;  (F)  rights  under  contracts,  agreements,
         including,  without limitation,  franchise agreements, and instruments;
         (G) any Assets used in the operation of the Business,  but not owned by
         the  Seller;  (H) all  intangible  rights of  Seller of every  kind and
         description  used in, or held for use in connection with, the operation
         of the Business,  including, without limitation, all intangible assets,
         and to the extent  permitted by applicable  law, all licenses,  permits
         and  authorizations;  and (I) all rights of Seller to receive  payments
         under the Consulting Services Agreement (the "MOHAWK VALLEY AGREEMENT")
         dated  September 15, 1994,  among First Community  Care,  Inc.,  Mohawk
         Valley Home Care, LLC and Mohawk Valley Network,  Inc.;  provided Buyer
         shall not assume any obligations under the Mohawk Valley Agreement.

             (b) Excluded  Assets.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  the Assets
shall not  include,  and Seller  shall not be deemed to have sold,  transferred,
conveyed or assigned the following assets to Buyer:  Seller's cash,  Certificate
of  Incorporation,  qualification to do business in any  jurisdiction,  taxpayer
identification  number, minute books, stock transfer records and other documents
related  specifically to Seller's  corporate  organization and maintenance,  and
Seller's  equity  interest  in Mohawk  Valley Home Care,  L.L.C.  (collectively,
"EXCLUDED ASSETS").

             (c) Restrictive Covenants. Pursuant to paragraph 17 hereof, each of
Seller and each Shareholder is granting to Buyer the Restrictive Covenants.

         2.  Purchase Price; Method of Payment.

             (a) Purchase Price.  The aggregate  "PURCHASE PRICE" for the Assets
and the  Restrictive  Covenants  shall  be Eight  Million  Six  Hundred  Dollars
($8,600,000).  The Purchase  Price shall be  allocated  among the Assets and the
Restrictive  Covenants  in the  manner  set  forth  on the  Allocation  Schedule
attached  hereto as Schedule 2(a), and the parties hereto  expressly  consent to
the allocation stated therein.


                                      -2-


             (b)  Method  of  Payment.  Buyer  shall pay the  Purchase  Price as
follows:

                  (i) Six Hundred Eighty-Eight  Thousand Dollars ($688,000) (the
         "BROKER'S  FEE")  shall  be  paid,  on  behalf  of  Seller,  to Baker &
         Associates,  Inc. (the  "BROKER"),  in cash in satisfaction of all fees
         and  compensation due to the Broker in connection with the transactions
         contemplated by this Agreement. Seller represents and warrants to Buyer
         that the  Broker  has acted as  Seller's  representative  and broker in
         connection with the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement,  and
         authorizes  and directs  Buyer to withhold  such sum from the  Purchase
         Price and disburse such sum directly to the Broker. In addition,  eight
         percent  (8%) of the  Remaining  Escrow  Funds (as defined in paragraph
         6(d)(ii))  and of the amount  payable  under the Notes (as  hereinafter
         defined) shall be disbursed to the Broker,  on behalf of Seller, at the
         end of the Escrow Period (as defined in paragraph  6(d)(i)) or when the
         Notes become due, as the case may be; and

                  (ii) Four Hundred Thirty Thousand Dollars  ($430,000)  thereof
         (the "ESCROWED  CASH") shall be paid and delivered to CoreStates  Bank,
         N.A.,  as escrow  agent  ("ESCROW  AGENT"),  to be held by Escrow Agent
         during the Escrow Period (as defined in paragraph 6(d), below, pursuant
         to the terms of an Escrow  Agreement,  in the form  attached  hereto as
         Exhibit 2(b)(ii) (the "ESCROW  AGREEMENT").  The Escrowed Cash shall be
         referred to as the "ESCROW FUND" shall be subject to the  provisions of
         paragraphs 6 and 18 hereof; and

                  (iii) Five Million Two Hundred Thousand  Dollars  ($5,200,000)
         in cash,  shall be paid and delivered to the "PAYING AGENT"  designated
         by  Seller  (and  reasonably  satisfactory  to  Buyer),  to be held and
         administered pursuant to the "PAYMENT ESCROW AGREEMENT" attached hereto
         as Exhibit 2(b)(iii), as provided in paragraph 20 hereof; and

                  (iv) Two  Million  Two  Hundred  Eighty-Two  Thousand  Dollars
         ($2,282,000)  shall be  payable  in newly  issued  shares of the common
         stock,  par value $.001,  of IHS (the "IHS  STOCK").  The parties agree
         that IHS will issue such IHS Stock to the Corporation.

             (c)  Receipt.  Upon  delivery  of the  Purchase  Price as set forth
above, Seller shall provide to Buyer a receipt confirming said delivery.

         3.  Further Payment; Reductions.

             (a) In addition to the Purchase Price, an aggregate amount equal to
One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars  ($1,500,000) (the "FURTHER  PAYMENT")
shall,  subject to offset as  hereinafter  provided,  be paid by wired  funds to
Peter Cummiskey  ("CUMMISKEY")  and David Verity  ("VERITY"),  collectively (the
"PRINCIPAL  SHAREHOLDERS"),  such  obligation to be evidenced by the  promissory
notes of the Buyer (the "PROMISSORY  NOTES") to be executed and delivered to the
Principal  Shareholders  in the form of Exhibit 3; provided such Further Payment
shall be  subject to the right of offset  set forth in this  paragraph  3 and in
paragraph 6, below; provided further the entire remaining Further Payment except
for  $500,000  shall be paid on July 31,  2000 and the  balance,  if any, of the
Further Payment shall be paid on July 31, 2001. The parties acknowledge that the
Purchase Price was determined  using a multiple of the expected Annual Operating
Profit (as  hereinafter  defined) of the Business  after the  Closing,  and such
expected  Annual  Operating  Profit was based upon the Seller's  best good faith
estimate thereof. Accordingly, if the average Annual Operating Profit during the
two-year  period  commencing  May  1,  1998  and  ending  April  30,  2000  (the
"APPLICABLE  PERIOD")  shall be less than One  Million  Eight  Hundred  Thousand
Dollars ($1,800,000), 


                                      -3-


then, the Buyer shall be entitled to offset an amount from the Promissory  Notes
equal to five  times (5X) the amount of such  deficiency;  provided  that if the
amount of the offset exceeds the Further Payment,  the Promissory Notes shall be
cancelled  and neither the Buyer nor the Principal  Shareholders  shall have any
payment  obligations  under this  paragraph  3. For  purposes  hereof,  the term
"ANNUAL OPERATING PROFIT" shall be determined as set forth on Exhibit A attached
hereto.  Nothing  contained in this paragraph 3 shall be deemed to limit Buyer's
right to recover Damages (as hereinafter defined) arising out of any breaches of
representations, warranties or covenants not contained in this paragraph 3.

             (b) If the employment of Cummiskey or Verity is terminated prior to
the third  anniversary  of the date  hereof  other than by reason of a Permitted
Termination (as hereinafter  defined) then the Buyer shall be entitled to reduce
the Further  Payment  (by  offsetting  against the Notes) by an amount  equal to
$500,000,  but only if the First  Community  Care of Bassett,  LLC Joint Venture
(the "BASSETT JV") dissolves or is otherwise  terminated other than by reason of
the  purchase  or sale by either  party to the  Bassett JV of the other  party's
entire membership  interest in the Bassett JV within a period of three (3) years
following the date hereof . For purposes hereof, a "Permitted Termination" shall
mean the  termination  by  Cummiskey  or  Verity,  as the  case  may be,  of his
employment  under his respective  Employment  Agreement for cause as provided in
such  Employment  Agreement or the  termination  by Buyer of the  employment  of
Cummiskey  or  Verity,  as the  case may be,  under  his  respective  Employment
Agreement other than for cause as provided in such Employment Agreement.

         4.  Indemnity Against  Creditors  Claims; No Assumption of Liabilities.
Seller has  requested  that Buyer waive the  requirements  of the bulk sales and
transfer  laws of the State of New York.  Except  as set  forth on  Schedule  4,
Seller agrees to indemnify  Buyer and save and hold Buyer  harmless  against all
Damages  (as  defined in  paragraph  17(c))  arising  out of any claims  made by
creditors  (including,  without limitation,  any Federal,  state or local taxing
authority)  of Seller  that  relate to the  Business,  or that  arise out of the
failure to comply with any of such laws.

         5.  Closing Date Liabilities.

             (a) Seller and Shareholders represent and warrant that, to the best
of Seller's and Shareholders'  knowledge and belief after diligent inquiry,  all
of Seller's  liabilities,  as of the date  hereof are listed on the  Schedule of
Liabilities  attached hereto as Schedule 5(a) (the "LIMITED  LIABILITIES").  For
purposes  of this  Agreement  "LIABILITIES"  shall mean and  include all claims,
lawsuits,  liabilities,  obligations or debts of any kind or nature  whatsoever,
whether absolute,  accrued,  due, direct or indirect,  contingent or liquidated,
matured  or  unmatured,  joint or  several,  whether  or not for a sum  certain,
whether for the payment of money or for the  performance  or  observance  of any
obligation or  condition,  and whether or not of a type which would be reflected
as a liability on a balance sheet (including, without limitation, federal, state
and local taxes of any nature) in accordance with generally accepted  accounting
principles,   consistently  applied  ("GAAP"),   including  without  limitation,
malpractice or other tort claims,  claims for breach of contract,  any claims of
any kind asserted by patients, former patients, employees of Seller or any other
party that are based on acts or omissions  by Seller  occurring on or before the
date  hereof,  amounts  due or  that  may  become  due in  connection  with  the
participation of Seller in the Medicare or Medicaid programs or due to any other
health care reimbursement or payment intermediary,  or that may be due by Seller
to any other third party payor, accounts payable, notes payable, trade payables,
lease  obligations,  indebtedness  for borrowed  money,  accrued  interest,  and
contractual  obligations.  Seller and Shareholders acknowledge that the Purchase
Price for the Assets is based on the  accuracy  of  Seller's  and  Shareholders'
representations and warranties contained in this Agreement,  including,  but not
limited to, Seller's and Shareholders'  representations and warranties contained
in this paragraph 5(a).  Buyer will not assume any, and Seller and  Shareholders
shall remain liable for each,  liability of Seller existing on the Closing Date,
including, without limitation, any Limited 


                                      -4-


Liabilities, and any liabilities that Seller may have by reason of its ownership
in any of the JVs (as defined in  paragraph  14(a),  below),  including  without
limitation,  Mohawk  Valley  Home Care,  L.L.C.  (the  "EXCLUDED  LIABILITIES");
provided,  however,  notwithstanding the foregoing, Buyer will assume at Closing
such  liabilities that are incurred between the date hereof and the Closing Date
(i) in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, or (ii) as
a direct result of Buyer's  actions  under the  Management  Agreement,  or (iii)
contractual obligations (under assumed contracts or contracts entered into after
the date hereof in compliance with this Agreement) (the "ASSUMED LIABILITIES").


             (b)  Without   limiting  the   generality  of  the   provisions  of
subparagraph  (a) above,  Buyer shall not assume the Contracts  (as  hereinafter
defined  in  paragraph  14(b)),  if any,  set  forth on  Schedule  5(b),  or any
liabilities  with  respect  thereto,  and shall  not,  in any case,  assume  any
liabilities  under any Contracts  (whether or not such  Contracts are assumed by
Buyer) to the extent such liabilities  arise out of facts or  circumstances,  or
obligations to be satisfied,  on or prior to the date hereof, all Taxes (as such
term  is  defined  in  paragraph  14(z))  that  arise  out of  the  transactions
contemplated  hereby or out of any income earned by the Seller or any Subsidiary
on or prior to the Closing  Date,  and the Broker's  Fee.  Without  limiting the
foregoing,  Buyer shall not assume any  obligations or liabilities  (whether now
outstanding  or hereafter  arising)  under the Merger  Agreement , between First
Community  Care,  Inc. and North Country  Medical  Supplies,  Inc.,  dated as of
November 1, 1997 and the Purchase Agreement,  between First Community Care, Inc.
and First Community Care, L.L.C., dated as of April 1, 1998.

         6.  Right of Offset Against the Escrow Fund.

             (a)  Event of Deficiency. If:

                  (i) Buyer pays for any Excluded  Liabilities,  then Seller and
         each Shareholder  shall jointly and severally  reimburse Buyer for such
         payment (a "LIABILITIES DEFICIENCY"); or

                  (ii) the aggregate value of the Seller's  collectible accounts
         receivable  as of the  date  hereof,  are  determined  to be less  than
         $1,700,000,  as  determined  by  actual  net cash  collections  of such
         receivables during the twelve (12) month period  immediately  following
         the  date  hereof,  then  Seller  and  each  Shareholder,  jointly  and
         severally,  shall pay to Buyer the amount of such deficiency (an "ASSET
         VALUE DEFICIENCY"); or

                  (iii)  Buyer  shall  be  entitled  to be  indemnified  for any
         Damages  pursuant  to this  Agreement  ("INDEMNIFICATION  CLAIMS",  and
         together   with  any   Liabilities   Deficiencies   or,   Asset   Value
         Deficiencies, collectively "CLAIMS" and each, a "CLAIM");

then, and in any of such events,  Buyer may provide  written notice to Seller of
the Claim,  in which case Buyer  shall be entitled to recover the amount of such
Claim in accordance with the following procedure.

         (b)  Procedure if Seller Fails to Pay. If Seller fails to pay any Claim
in full to Buyer  within ten (10)  business  days from the date of such  written
notice (said ten (10) business day period hereinafter referred to as the "NOTICE
PERIOD"),  Buyer shall have the right to make offset  against  either or both of
the Notes or against the Escrow Fund in accordance with the terms and conditions
of the Escrow  Agreement,  in  amounts  from time to time equal to the amount of
such Claim (subject, however, in the case



                                       -5-






of a "DISPUTE",  to the provisions of paragraph 18 hereof  applicable  thereto),
and Seller agrees to any such offset. Buyer's right to proceed against the Notes
or the Escrow Fund shall not be exclusive  of any other rights or remedies  that
it may have under this Agreement,  law,  equity or otherwise.  In no event shall
Buyer be required to offset Claims against the Notes.

         (c) Escrow  Costs.  The costs,  fees and  expenses of the Escrow  Agent
shall be borne by the Buyer.

         (d) Escrow Periods.

             (i)  The  "ESCROW  PERIOD"  shall  terminate   twelve  (12)  months
         following the date hereof.

             (ii)  The  balance,  if any,  of the  Escrow  Fund  remaining  (the
         "REMAINING  ESCROW  FUNDS") at the close of business on the last day of
         the Escrow  Period,  shall be disbursed to Seller  within  fifteen (15)
         days after the last day of the Escrow Period.

             (iii)  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary  contained in this
         subparagraph  (d), if any Claim made by Buyer is in dispute at the time
         that any amounts are  otherwise to be  disbursed to Seller,  then there
         shall be withheld  from such amount to be paid under the Notes or to be
         disbursed  from the  Escrow  Fund,  an amount  such that  there will be
         remaining due under the Notes and in the Escrow Fund at least twice the
         amount of the Claim  asserted  by Buyer until the final  settlement  of
         such Claim or Claims.

         7. IHS Stock.  A portion of the Purchase Price equal to TWO MILLION TWO
HUNDRED  EIGHTY-TWO  THOUSAND DOLLARS  ($2,282,000) shall be payable by means of
the  delivery of IHS Stock  issued to the  Corporation  in  accordance  with the
following:

             (a) Share Value.  The number of shares of IHS Stock  issuable  upon
execution  of this  Agreement  (the  "EXECUTION  DATE  SHARE  COUNT")  shall  be
calculated  based  upon a price per  share of such  stock  equal to the  average
closing New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") price of such stock for the thirty (30)
trading day period immediately  preceding the date which is two (2) trading days
before the date hereof (the "TRADE PRICE").

             (b)  Registration  Rights.  IHS will prepare and use its reasonable
commercial efforts to cause to be filed within one-hundred and twenty (120) days
following the Closing Date,  and will use its reasonable  commercial  efforts to
have  declared  effective  by  the  Securities  and  Exchange   Commission  (the
"COMMISSION"),  a registration  statement for the  registration of the IHS Stock
issued to the Seller in connection with this transaction,  including the shares,
if any,  issuable under paragraph 7(c) in respect of any  re-calculation  of the
Execution  Date Share Count,  under the  Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"SECURITIES  ACT"),  and IHS  shall  maintain  the  effectiveness  of each  such
registration statement for a period of one (1) year following the date it became
effective (the "REGISTRATION DATE"), except to the extent that an exemption from
registration may be available.

             (c) Share Adjustment.  Promptly following the Share Adjustment Date
(as  hereinafter  defined),  the  number  of shares  deliverable  as part of the
Purchase  Price (and that have not  previously  been  transferred by the Seller)
shall be  re-calculated  to be the number of shares of IHS Stock that would have
been delivered in lieu of such retained  shares had the  Recalculated  Value (as
defined  below)  been used on the date  



                                      -6-


hereof in lieu of the Trade Price with  respect to the  portion of the  Purchase
Price   represented  by  such  retained  shares.   For  purposes   hereof,   the
"RECALCULATED  VALUE" shall mean the sum of: (x) the average  closing NYSE price
for IHS Stock for the  30-trading  day period  immediately  preceding  the Share
Adjustment  Date,  plus (y)  $2.00.  Notwithstanding  anything  to the  contrary
contained herein,  such adjustment shall be made only if (i) the result shall be
an  increase  in the number of shares  issuable to the Seller and (ii) the Trade
Price exceeds the  Recalculated  Value. If the number of shares as re-calculated
under this  subparagraph  (c) (the "ADJUSTED SHARE COUNT") exceeds the Execution
Date Share Count,  IHS promptly  shall  deliver over to the Seller an additional
number  of  shares  of IHS  Stock as shall  be  equal to such  excess,  and such
additional shares shall be included in the aforementioned registration statement
by means of a  post-effective  amendment  thereto.  If the Execution  Date Share
Count  exceeds the  Adjusted  Share  Count,  no  adjustment  shall be made.  For
purposes hereof,  "SHARE ADJUSTMENT DATE" shall mean the day that is thirty (30)
days after the Registration Date.

         (d)  Registration  Expenses.  Sellers shall not be responsible for, and
Buyer  shall  bear,  all of the  reasonable  expenses  of IHS  related  to  such
registration including, without limitation, the fees and expenses of its counsel
and  accountants,  all of its other  costs,  fees and  expenses  incident to the
preparation,  printing,  registration and filing under the Securities Act of the
registration  statement and all amendments and supplements  thereto, the cost of
furnishing copies of each preliminary prospectus, each final prospectus and each
amendment or supplement thereto to underwriters, dealers and other purchasers of
IHS Stock and the costs and expenses  (including fees and  disbursements  of its
counsel)  incurred in connection with the  qualification  of IHS Stock under the
Blue Sky laws of various jurisdictions. Buyer, however, shall not be required to
pay underwriter's or brokerage discounts, commissions or expenses, or to pay any
costs or expenses arising out of Seller's or any transferee's  failure to comply
with its obligations under this Article 7.

                  (e) Resale Limitations.  All sales by Seller shall be effected
solely through Salomon Smith Barney, Inc.

                  (f)  Registration  Procedures,  etc.  In  connection  with the
registration  rights  granted to the  Sellers  with  respect to the IHS Stock as
provided in this Article 7, Buyer covenants and agrees as follows:

                  (i) At Buyer's  expense,  Buyer will keep the registration and
         qualification  under this Article 7 effective  (and in compliance  with
         the  Securities  Act) by such action as may be necessary or appropriate
         until the first  anniversary of the Closing Date,  except to the extent
         that an  exemption  from  registration  may be  available.  Buyer  will
         promptly notify the Seller, at any time when a prospectus relating to a
         registration statement under this Article 7 is required to be delivered
         under the Securities  Act, of the happening of any event known to Buyer
         as a result  of which  the  prospectus  included  in such  registration
         statement,  as  then in  effect,  includes  an  untrue  statement  of a
         material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated
         therein or necessary to make the  statements  therein not misleading in
         light of the circumstances then existing.

                  (ii)  Buyer  shall  furnish  the  Seller  with such  number of
         prospectuses as shall reasonably be requested.

                                      -7-


                  (iii)  Buyer  shall  take all  necessary  action  which may be
         required  in  qualifying  or  registering   IHS  Stock  included  in  a
         registration  statement  for offering and sale under the  securities or
         Blue Sky laws of such states as reasonably are requested by the Seller,
         provided  that  Buyer  shall not be  obligated  to qualify as a foreign
         corporation  or  dealer  to do  business  under  the  laws of any  such
         jurisdiction.

                  (iv) The information  included or incorporated by reference in
         the  registration  statement filed pursuant to this Article 7 will not,
         at the time any such registration statement becomes effective,  contain
         any untrue  statement of a material fact, or omit to state any material
         fact  required to be stated  therein as  necessary in order to make the
         statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
         made,  not  misleading  or  necessary  to correct any  statement in any
         earlier  filing  of  such  registration  statement  or  any  amendments
         thereto.  The  registration  statement  will  comply  in  all  material
         respects with the  provisions of the  Securities  Act and the rules and
         regulations   thereunder.   Buyer  shall  indemnify  the  Seller,   its
         successors  and  assigns,  and each person,  if any, who controls  such
         Seller within the meaning of ss.15 of the Securities Act or ss.20(a) of
         the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as amended  ("EXCHANGE  ACT"),
         against all loss, claim,  damage,  expense or liability  (including all
         expenses reasonably  incurred in investigating,  preparing or defending
         against any claim  whatsoever)  to which any of them may become subject
         under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any other statute, common
         law or otherwise,  arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or
         alleged  untrue   statement  of  a  material  fact  contained  in  such
         registration   statement  executed  by  Buyer  or  based  upon  written
         information  furnished by Buyer filed in any  jurisdiction  in order to
         qualify IHS Stock under the  securities  laws thereof or filed with the
         Commission,  any state  securities  commission  or agency,  NYSE or any
         securities exchange; or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a
         material  fact  required to be stated  therein or necessary to make the
         statements  contained therein not misleading,  unless such statement or
         omission  was made in  reliance  upon and in  conformity  with  written
         information  furnished to Buyer by the Seller expressly for use in such
         registration  statement,  any  amendment or  supplement  thereto or any
         application,  as the case may be. If any action is brought  against the
         Seller or any  controlling  person of the  Seller in  respect  of which
         indemnity  may be sought  against Buyer  pursuant to this  subparagraph
         7(f)(iv),  the Seller or such  controlling  person shall within  thirty
         (30) days after the receipt  thereby of a summons or complaint,  notify
         Buyer in  writing of the  institution  of such  action and Buyer  shall
         assume the  defense  of such  actions,  including  the  employment  and
         payment  of  reasonable  fees  and  expenses  of  counsel   (reasonably
         satisfactory to the Seller or such controlling  person).  The Seller or
         such controlling person shall have the right to employ its or their own
         counsel in any such case,  but the fees and  expenses  of such  counsel
         shall be at the expense of the Seller or such controlling person unless
         (A) the  employment  of such  counsel  shall  have been  authorized  in
         writing by Buyer in connection with the defense of such action,  or (B)
         Buyer shall not have employed  counsel to have charge of the defense of
         such  action,  or (C) such  indemnified  party or  parties  shall  have
         reasonably concluded (after notice to Buyer) that there may be defenses
         available to it or them which are different from or additional to those
         available  to Buyer (in which  case,  Buyer shall not have the right to
         direct the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party or
         parties), in any of which events the fees and expenses of not more than
         one  additional  firm of attorneys for the Seller and such  controlling
         persons  shall be borne by Buyer.  Except as expressly  provided in the
         previous  sentence,  in the event that Buyer shall not previously  have
         assumed  the  defenses  of any such  action or claim,  Buyer  shall not
         thereafter  be  liable  to the  Seller  or such  controlling  person in
         investigating, preparing or defending any such action or claim.



                                       -8-






                  (v)  The  Seller,  and  its  successors  and  assigns,   shall
         severally, and not jointly, indemnify Buyer, its officers and directors
         and each person, if any, who controls Buyer within the meaning of ss.15
         of the Securities Act or ss.20(a) of the Exchange Act against all loss,
         claim,   damage,  or  expense  or  liability  (including  all  expenses
         reasonably  incurred in  investigating,  preparing or defending against
         any  claim  whatsoever)  to which  they may  become  subject  under the
         Securities  Act, the Exchange Act or any other  statute,  common law or
         otherwise,  arising from information  furnished by or on behalf of such
         Sellers,  or their successors or assigns for specific inclusion in such
         registration statement.

             (g) Notice of Sale.  If the Seller  desires to transfer  all or any
IHS  Stock,  it will  deliver  prior  written  notice  to Buyer,  describing  in
reasonable  detail their  intention to effect the transfer and the manner of the
proposed  transfer.   If  the  transfer  is  to  be  pursuant  to  an  effective
registration statement as provided herein, the Seller will sell the IHS Stock in
compliance  with the  disclosure  therein and  discontinue  any offers and sales
thereunder upon notice from Buyer that the  registration  statement  relating to
the IHS Stock being  transferred  is not  "current"  until  Buyer gives  further
notice that offers and sales may be recommenced. In the event of any such notice
from  Buyer,   Buyer  agrees  to  file  expeditiously  such  amendments  to  the
registration statement as may be necessary to bring it current during the period
specified  in  paragraph  7(b) and to give prompt  notice to the Seller when the
registration statement has again become current.  Further, during such time that
the effectiveness of the registration statement relating to the IHS Stock is not
"current",  then such period of time will be added to the one-year  registration
period referred to in subparagraph  7(b), above. If the Seller delivers to Buyer
an opinion of counsel reasonably  acceptable to Buyer and its counsel and to the
effect that the proposed transfer of IHS Stock may be made without  registration
under the  Securities  Act, the Seller will be entitled to transfer IHS Stock in
accordance with the terms of the notice and opinion of their counsel.

             (h) Furnish  Information.  It shall be a condition precedent to the
obligations  of Buyer to take any  action  pursuant  to this  Article 7 that the
Seller shall furnish to Buyer such  information  regarding  themselves,  the IHS
Stock held by it, and the intended  method of disposition of such  securities as
shall  be  required  to  effect  the  registration  of its  IHS  Stock.  In that
connection,  each  transferee  of Seller shall be required to represent to Buyer
that all such  information  which is given is both  complete and accurate in all
material respects. The Seller shall deliver to Buyer a statement in writing from
the  beneficial  owners of such  securities  that they bona fide intend to sell,
transfer  or  otherwise  dispose  of  such  securities.  Each  transferee  will,
severally,  promptly  notify Buyer at any time when a  prospectus  relating to a
registration statement covering such transferee's shares under this Article 7 is
required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event
known to such  transferee as a result of which the  prospectus  included in such
registration  statement,  as then in effect,  includes an untrue  statement of a
material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated  therein
or  necessary  to make the  statements  therein not  misleading  in light of the
statements as then existing.

             (i)  Investment  Representations.   All  IHS  Stock  to  be  issued
hereunder will be newly issued shares of IHS. The Seller represents and warrants
to Buyer that the IHS Stock being issued hereunder are being acquired,  and will
be  acquired,  by the Seller for  investment  for its own account and not with a
view to or for sale in  connection  with any  distribution  thereof  within  the
meaning of the Securities Act or the applicable state securities law; the Seller
acknowledges that the IHS Stock constitutes restricted securities under Rule 144
promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, and may have to be
held  indefinitely,  and the  Seller  agrees  that  no IHS  Stock  may be  sold,
transferred,  assigned,  pledged or otherwise  disposed of except pursuant to an
effective registration statement or an exemption from registration under



                                       -9-






the  Securities  Act,  the  rules  and  regulations  thereunder,  and  under all
applicable state securities laws. The Seller has the knowledge and experience in
financial and business matters, is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of
the investment,  and is able to bear the economic risk of such  investment.  The
Seller  has  had  the   opportunity   to  make  inquiries  of  and  obtain  from
representatives  and employees of Buyer such other information about IHS as they
deem necessary in connection with such investment.

             (j) Legend.  It is understood that the certificates  evidencing the
IHS Stock shall bear a legend substantially as follows:

                 THE  SHARES  REPRESENTED  BY THIS  CERTIFICATE  HAVE  NOT  BEEN
                 REGISTERED  UNDER THE  SECURITIES  ACT OF 1933. THE SHARES HAVE
                 BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT  AND MAY NOT BE SOLD,  TRANSFERRED
                 OR  ASSIGNED  IN  THE  ABSENCE  OF  AN  EFFECTIVE  REGISTRATION
                 STATEMENT FOR THESE SHARES UNDER THE  SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR
                 AN OPINION OF THE COMPANY'S  COUNSEL THAT  REGISTRATION  IS NOT
                 REQUIRED UNDER SAID ACT.

             (k)  Certain   Transferees.   Prior  to  the   effective   date  of
registration of the IHS Stock, Seller shall not transfer any shares of IHS Stock
to any person or entity  except as  expressly  permitted by this  Agreement  and
unless  such  transferee  shall  have  agreed  in  writing  to be  bound  by the
provisions applicable to the Seller under this Article 7.

         8.  Employees.  It is  expressly  understood  and agreed  that  Buyer's
purchase of the Assets does not involve any  undertaking on the part of Buyer to
retain any of the employees of the Seller,  although  Buyer shall have the right
to offer employment to any such employees. Seller shall remain fully responsible
for any severance, benefits, costs or liabilities arising out of the termination
by Seller of any of its employees,  all of which  liabilities  shall  constitute
Excluded  Liabilities.  Seller  shall  also  remain  fully  responsible  for any
benefits, costs or liabilities incurred or accrued prior to the date hereof with
respect to each employee  retained by Buyer.  Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing,  except for the Employment  Agreements (as hereinafter  defined),
any employment  agreement,  arrangement,  commitment or  understanding  with any
Shareholder is being  terminated  concurrently  therewith,  and all  liabilities
arising in connection therewith shall constitute Excluded  Liabilities.  Without
limiting the foregoing,  at the Closing each of the Employment  Agreements shall
be assigned to and assumed by Buyer.

         9. Closing Date. The consummation of the  transactions  contemplated by
this Agreement is sometimes referred to as the "CLOSING",  and the date on which
such consummation  occurs,  is sometimes  referred to as the "CLOSING DATE". The
Closing with respect to the JV Interests shall take place concurrently herewith,
and with  respect to all of the other  Assets,  the Closing  shall take place on
such date as the Buyer shall select by notice to Seller,  which date shall be no
more than one week after Buyer receives  notification from the National Supplier
Clearinghouse that its supplier number is or will be issued.  Promptly following
the date hereof, Buyer shall use its best efforts to obtain the issuance of such
supplier number,  and Seller and Shareholders will cooperate with Buyer in their
efforts to obtain such supplier number. If,  notwithstanding its use of its best
efforts, the Buyer shall not have obtained such supplier number by the date that
is 18 months after the date hereof,  Buyer shall, in its sole discretion  either
(i) shall be entitled to terminate  this  Agreement,  in which case any Purchase
Price  previously paid to Seller or any  Shareholder  shall be returned to Buyer
(without interest);  provided,  however,  that Seller and the Shareholders shall
not be required to 



                                      -10-


return any  portion of the  Purchase  Price that shall have been used to pay any
Limited  Liabilities  and Broker's Fee or (ii) in lieu of taking the Assets,  in
Buyer's sole discretion,  Buyer will have the option to require the Shareholders
to  deliver  all  issued  and  outstanding   shares  of  capital  stock  of  the
Corporation, free and clear of all Liens.

         10. Asset  Condition and Quality.  Seller and  Shareholders  represent,
warrant and covenant that, as of the date hereof,  all physical Assets of Seller
that are in use by  patients  of Seller are free of patent  defects  and in good
working  order,  condition and repair,  except for ordinary  wear and tear,  and
conform in all material  respects with all applicable  ordinances,  regulations,
zoning and other laws. Seller and Shareholders  represent,  warrant and covenant
that, as of the date hereof,  all physical  Assets of Seller that are not in use
by patients of Seller shall be taken by Buyer on an "as is" basis.

         11.  Instruments of Conveyance and Transfer.

              (a) Concurrently herewith Seller is delivering to Buyer's attorney
to be held in escrow  pending notice from Buyer that it has elected to close the
transactions contemplated hereby, all of the following:

                  (i)   Such   bills  of  sale,   assignments,   motor   vehicle
certificates of title,  and other good and sufficient  instruments of conveyance
and transfer in form  sufficient to sell,  assign and transfer the Assets (other
than the JV  Interests)  to Buyer as of the  Closing  Date,  such  documents  to
contain full warranties of title, and which documents shall be effective to vest
in Buyer good,  absolute,  and  marketable  title to the Assets of the  Business
being  transferred  to Buyer by Seller,  free and clear of all Liens (other than
Permitted  Liens).  Buyer or its attorneys are hereby  authorized to fill in the
dates  on  each  of  the  aforementioned  documents  as  of  the  Closing  Date.
Simultaneously  with such delivery out of escrow,  Seller will take all steps as
may be requisite to put Buyer in actual possession, operation and control of the
Assets to be transferred hereunder.

              (b)   Simultaneously   herewith,   Seller  and   Shareholders  are
delivering to Buyer all of the following:

                    (i)   Such  bills  of  sale,  assignments,   motor   vehicle
certificates of title,  and other good and sufficient  instruments of conveyance
and transfer in form sufficient to sell, assign and transfer the JV Interests to
Buyer as of the date hereof, such documents to contain full warranties of title,
and which  documents  shall be  effective to vest in Buyer good,  absolute,  and
marketable title to the JV Interests being transferred to Buyer by Seller,  free
and clear of all Liens.

                   (ii)   An opinion, dated as of the date  hereof, of  Seller's
counsel, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit 11(b)(ii);

                  (iii)   A  certificate  of  its  Secretary  or  other  officer
certifying as of the date hereof a copy of resolutions of its board of directors
and, if applicable,  its stockholders,  authorizing the execution,  delivery and
full performance of this Agreement and the Transaction  Documents (as defined in
paragraph 14(a) below), and the incumbency of its officers;

                   (iv)  Peter   Cummiskey's   and  David  Verity's   Employment
Agreements,  substantially  in the form of Exhibit  11(b)(iv)  (the  "EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENTS"); and

                                      -11-




                   (v) All consents from the JVs (as defined in paragraph 14(a))
(other  than  Mohawk  Valley  Home Care,  L.L.C.)  related  to the  transactions
contemplated herein.

         12. Sales and Transfer  Taxes;  Fees. All applicable  sales,  transfer,
use,  filing and other  taxes and fees that may be due or payable as a result of
the conveyance,  assignment,  transfer or delivery of the Assets of the Business
to be conveyed and transferred as provided  herein,  whether levied on Seller or
Buyer,  shall  be  borne  by  Seller;  provided  however  that  Buyer  shall  be
responsible  for the 8% sales tax that is incurred on the amounts  allocated  to
furniture  and  capital  equipment  as set forth on  Schedule  2(a) and shall be
collected  by Seller  from  Buyer and;  provided  further  that  Buyer  shall be
responsible for payment of sales tax on any vehicles included in the Assets.

         13. Restrictions on Operations of Seller.

             (a) Seller and  Shareholders,  jointly  and  severally,  represent,
warrant and covenant that, except as expressly  disclosed on Schedule 13 hereto,
since the most recent  Financial  Statement Date referred to in paragraph  14(o)
below, through the date hereof, there has been no material adverse change in the
condition  (financial  or otherwise) or prospects of the Seller or the Business.
From the date  hereof  through the Closing  Date,  without the prior  consent of
Buyer, subject to the provisions of the Management  Agreement,  the Shareholders
and Seller shall cause Seller and  Subsidiaries  (as defined in paragraph  14(a)
below) not to:

                  (i) sell,  assign,  transfer  or dispose of any of its Assets,
except in the  ordinary  course of business  consistent  with past  practice and
replace with Assets of at least the same  quality,  type and quantity  having an
aggregate  value at least  equal to the  aggregate  value of the  items  sold or
otherwise disposed of;

                  (ii)  mortgage,  pledge or  subject  to any Lien of any nature
whatsoever any of the Assets;

                  (iii)  enter  into  any   contract,   agreement,   commitment,
understanding  or arrangement or  transaction  binding the Business,  or make or
suffer any termination of any contract, agreement, commitment,  understanding or
arrangement,  or make or suffer any  modification  or amendment of any contract,
agreement,  commitment,  understanding or arrangement  except for  terminations,
modifications  and  amendments  of  contracts  made in the  ordinary  course  of
business  consistent  with past practice and which would not affect  earnings or
otherwise be material;

                  (iv) incur any liabilities;

                  (v)  fail  to  collect,  withhold  and/or  pay to  any  proper
Governmental Authority, any Taxes required by applicable law to be so collected,
withheld and/or paid;

                  (vi)  pay  any   bonuses,   increase  the  salaries  or  other
compensation of any of its employees,  or make any increase in, or any additions
to, other benefits to which any of such employees may be entitled;

                                      -12-



                  (vii)  discharge  or  satisfy  any  Lien  or  encumbrance,  or
satisfy,  pay or prepay any  material  liabilities,  or fail to pay or discharge
when due any Liabilities, the failure to pay or discharge of which has caused or
may cause any actual damage or risk of loss to the  Corporation or the Assets or
the Business;

                  (viii) fail to collect any accounts receivable in the ordinary
course of business, consistent with past practice;

                  (ix) change any of the accounting principles followed by it or
the methods of applying such principles;

                  (x) cancel, modify or waive any debts or claims held by it, or
waive any rights of substantial value;

                  (xi) issue any capital  stock,  or declare or pay or set aside
or reserve  any amounts for  payment of any  dividend or other  distribution  in
respect of any equity interest or other securities,  or redeem or repurchase any
of its  capital  stock or other  securities,  or make any  payment to any of its
affiliates;

                  (xii)  institute,  settle or agree to settle  any  litigation,
action or proceeding before any Governmental  Authority (as such term in defined
in paragraph  14(d) below) relating to it or its property or received any threat
thereof;

                  (xiii) enter into any material  transaction  other than in the
ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice;

                  (xiv) dissolve, reorganize, merge, consolidate or enter into a
share exchange with or into any other entity;

                  (xv) enter into any  contract or  agreement  with any union or
other collective bargaining representative representing any employees;

                  (xvi)  make  any  change  to  its   by-laws  or   articles  of
incorporation;

                  (xvii)  perform,  take or fail to take any  action or incur or
permit to exist any of the acts,  transactions,  events or occurrences of a type
which would have been  inconsistent  with the  representations,  warranties  and
covenants set forth in this  Agreement  had the same occurred  prior to the date
hereof;

                  (xviii) take any action that would prevent any  Shareholder or
Seller from consummating the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; or

                  (xix) agree or  otherwise  commit to do anything  described in
any of subparagraphs (i) through and including (xviii) above.



                                      -13-


             (b) Unless  consented to by Buyer,  between the date hereof and the
Closing, subject to the provisions of the Management Agreement, the Shareholders
and the Seller shall cause the Seller and Subsidiaries to:

                  (i) maintain the Assets in substantially  the state of repair,
order and condition as on the date hereof,  reasonable  wear and tear or loss by
casualty excepted;

                  (ii) maintain in full force and effect all Licenses  currently
in effect with respect to its business;

                  (iii) maintain in full force and effect the insurance policies
and binders currently in effect, or the replacements thereof;

                  (iv) use their  reasonable  efforts  to  preserve  intact  the
present business organization of the Seller and the Subsidiaries; keep available
the  services  of the  present  employees  and  agents  of the  Seller  and  the
Subsidiaries;  and maintain the relations and goodwill with  suppliers,  Seller,
employees,  affiliated medical personnel and any others having business relating
to the Seller or any Subsidiary;

                  (v) maintain all of the books and records in  accordance  with
its past practices;

                  (vi) comply in all material  respects  with all  provisions of
the  Contracts  and with any other  material  agreements  that the Seller or any
Subsidiary enters into in the ordinary course of business after the date of this
Agreement,  and  comply in all  material  respects  with the  provisions  of all
Governmental  Requirements  applicable  to the  business  of the  Seller  or any
Subsidiary;

                  (vii) cause to be paid when due, all Taxes, imposed upon it or
on any of its properties or which it is required to withhold and pay over;

                  (viii)  promptly  advise  Buyer in  writing  of the  threat or
commencement  against the Seller or any Subsidiary of any claim, action, suit or
proceeding,   arbitration  or  investigation  or  any  other  event  that  could
materially adversely affect the operations,  properties,  assets or prospects of
the Seller or any Subsidiary;

                  (ix) promptly  notify the Buyer in writing of the  termination
of any Contract; and

                  (x) promptly  notify the Buyer in writing of any act, event or
occurrence  that  constitutes a breach by any  Shareholder  or the Seller of any
representation, warranty or covenant made pursuant to this Agreement; and

                  (xi)  promptly  notify  the  Buyer  in  writing  of any  event
involving  the  Company  or any  Subsidiary  which has had or may be  reasonably
expected  to  have a  material  adverse  effect  on the  business  or  financial
condition  of  the  Seller  or  any  Subsidiary  or  may  involve  the  loss  of
relationships with any of the customers of the Seller or any Subsidiary.



                                      -14-


         14.  Representations  and Warranties by Seller and  Shareholders.  As a
material  inducement to Buyer to execute and perform its obligations  under this
Agreement, Seller and Shareholders hereby, jointly and severally,  represent and
warrant to Buyer as follows as of the date hereof (it being understood that, for
the purposes of this Article 14, "Seller" shall be deemed to refer  collectively
to the Seller and each of the Subsidiaries  listed on Schedule 14(a) and "to the
knowledge of the Seller" shall be deemed to refer collectively to the Seller and
the Shareholders):

             (a)  Organization of Seller; Enforceability.

                  (i) Seller is a corporation,  organized, and in good standing,
respectively,  in the State of New York,  and is qualified to do business and is
in good  standing in each other  State  where the nature of its  business or the
assets held by it requires such qualification, and has requisite corporate power
and authority to carry on its Business as presently  being  conducted,  to enter
into this  Agreement,  and to carry out and perform the terms and  provisions of
this  Agreement.  Each  of  this  Agreement  and  each  agreement,   instrument,
certificate and document executed by Seller in connection with this Agreement or
the transactions  contemplated hereby ("TRANSACTION  DOCUMENTS") constitutes the
legal,  valid and  binding  obligations  of  Seller,  enforceable  against it in
accordance with its respective terms.  Schedule 14(a) sets forth a complete list
of all subsidiaries,  joint ventures and partnerships in which the Seller is the
record  or  beneficial   owner  of  any  equity  interest   (collectively,   the
"SUBSIDIARIES"  and  individually,  a  "SUBSIDIARY").  All  of  the  issued  and
outstanding  capital stock or membership  equity of the  subsidiaries  listed on
Schedule 14(a) hereto is owned of record or beneficially by the Seller or by one
of the listed  subsidiaries  on Schedule  14(a).  Schedule  14(a) shall also set
forth all members, partners,  shareholders and each of their ownership interests
in each  joint  venture  and  partnership  (the "JV") in which the Seller is the
record or beneficial owner of any equity interest.

                  (ii) This  Agreement  and each  Transaction  Document to which
each Shareholder is a party constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligations
of such  Shareholder,  enforceable  against such  Shareholder in accordance with
their respective terms.

             (b)  Consents.   Except  as  set  forth  on  Schedule   14(b),   no
authorization,  consent, approval, license, exemption by, filing or registration
with any  Governmental  Authority  or of any party to any  contract,  agreement,
instrument,  commitment,  lease,  indenture or understanding  (written,  oral or
implied)  by which  Seller  or any  Shareholder  or any of the  Assets  is bound
("CONTRACTS")  is  necessary  in  connection  with the  execution,  delivery and
performance of this Agreement or any of the  Transaction  Documents by Seller or
any Shareholder.

             (c) Litigation. Except as set forth on Schedule 14(c), there are no
actions,  suits or proceedings  affecting  Seller or any of the Assets which are
pending or  threatened  against  Seller or affecting  any of its  properties  or
rights,  at  law  or  in  equity,  or  before  any  Governmental  Authority  (as
hereinafter  defined),  nor is  Seller  or any of  its  respective  officers  or
directors or any Shareholder aware of any facts which to them or their knowledge
might reasonably be expected to result in any such action, suit or proceeding.

             (d) Compliance with Laws and Contracts.  Seller is not in violation
of, or in default under:  any term or provision of its Articles of Incorporation
or By-Laws; or any judgment,  order, writ,  injunction,  decree,  statute,  law,
rule,  regulation,  directive,  mandate,  ordinance or guideline  ("GOVERNMENTAL

                                      -15-


REQUIREMENTS")  of  any  Federal,   state,   local  or  other   governmental  or
quasi-governmental  agency,  bureau,  board,  council,   administrator,   court,
arbitrator,  commission,  department,  instrumentality,  body or other authority
("GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITIES");  or of any Contract. The execution and delivery by
Seller and  Shareholders  of, and the performance and compliance by each of them
with  this  Agreement,  and  the  Transaction  Documents  and  the  transactions
contemplated  hereby and thereby,  does not and will not result in the violation
of or conflict  with or constitute a default under any such term or provision or
result in the creation of any Lien on any of the  properties or assets of Seller
or Shareholders pursuant to any such term or provision.

             (e) Corporate Acts and  Proceedings.  The  execution,  delivery and
performance of this  Agreement and each of the  Transaction  Documents,  and the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including the sale and transfer of
the Assets by Seller as provided for in this  Agreement,  have been approved and
consented  to by the Board of  Directors  of Seller and, if  applicable,  by the
requisite  number of holders of its  outstanding  capital stock,  and all action
required by any  applicable  Governmental  Requirement  by the  stockholders  of
Seller with regard thereto have been appropriately authorized and accomplished.

             (f) Title to Assets.  Seller has good and indefeasible title to all
of the Assets, free and clear of all Liens.

             (g) Contracts.  Set forth on Schedule 14(g) hereto is a list of all
material Contracts of Seller including, without limitation, each:

                  (i) contract,  agreement or commitment  for the  employment or
retention of, or collective bargaining, severance or termination of or with, any
director, officer, employee, consultant, sales representative, or agent or group
of  employees,  or any  non-competition,  non-solicitation,  confidentiality  or
similar agreement with any such person or persons;

                  (ii) contract, agreement or arrangement for the acquisition or
disposition  of any assets,  property or rights  outside the ordinary  course of
business or requiring the consent of any party to the transfer and assignment of
any such assets,  property or rights (by purchase or sale of assets, purchase or
sale of stock, merger or otherwise),  that is executory or that was entered into
during the three (3) year period ending on the date hereof;

                  (iii)  contract,  agreement or commitment  which  contains any
provisions  requiring  the Seller or the  Business to  indemnify  or act for any
other  person or entity or to guaranty or act as surety for any other  person or
entity;

                  (iv) contract,  agreement or commitment restricting the Seller
or the  Business  from,  or in favor of either of the Seller or the Business and
restricting any other person or entity from, conducting business anywhere in the
world  for any  period  of  time or  restricting  the use or  disclosure  of any
confidential  or  proprietary  information or prohibiting  the  solicitation  of
business or of employees, agents or others;

                  (v)  partnership,  joint  venture or  management  contract  or
similar  arrangement,  or agreement  which  involves a right to share profits or
future  payments  with  respect to the  Business or any  portion  thereof or the
business of any other person or entity;



                                      -16-


                  (vi)  licensing,  distributor,  dealer,  franchise,  sales  or
manufacturer's representative,  agency or other similar contract, arrangement or
commitment;

                  (vii) contract,  agreement or arrangement granting a leasehold
or other interest in real property,  including  without  limitation,  subleases,
licenses and sublicenses (the "LEASES");

                  (viii) profit  sharing,  thrift,  bonus,  incentive,  deferred
compensation,  stock option, stock purchase, severance pay, pension, retirement,
hospitalization,  insurance or other  similar  plan,  agreement  or  arrangement
applicable  to any  employee,  consultant or agent of the Seller or the Business
not covered by clause (i) above;

                  (ix)  agreement,  consent order,  plea bargain,  settlement or
stipulation or similar arrangement with any Governmental Authority;

                  (x) agreement with respect to the settlement of any litigation
or other proceeding with any third person or entity;

                  (xi) agreement relating to the ownership,  transfer, voting or
exercise of other rights with respect to any equity in the Seller,  or any other
entity,  including without limitation,  registration  rights agreements,  voting
trust agreements and shareholder and proxy agreements;

                  (xii) contract, agreement or commitment to provide services or
products; or

                  (xiii) agreement not made in the ordinary and normal course of
business and consistent with past practice, or involving consideration in excess
of $25,000 in each case,  that is not set forth in subsections (i) through (xii)
above.

         To the best of Seller's and  Shareholders'  knowledge,  no party to any
Contract  other  than  Seller is in  default  under  any  Contract.  Seller  has
delivered  to Buyer true and  complete  copies of each  written  Contract  (or a
description of each oral Contract) requested by Buyer.

             (h)  Brokers. Seller has been represented solely by the Broker, and
as a result a  brokerage  commission  in the amount of  $688,000  payable to the
Broker at the Closing in connection with the  transactions  contemplated by this
Agreement  is due,  and no  broker  or finder is  entitled  to any  broker's  or
finder's  fee or  other  commission  in  respect  thereof  based  in any  way on
agreements,  understandings  or arrangements  with Seller.  An additional amount
equal to eight  percent  (8%) of the  Remaining  Escrow Funds and Notes shall be
paid to the Broker.

             (i)  Employment  Contracts;  Employees.  There are no  Contracts of
employment  between  Seller and any officer or other  employee of the  Business,
except as set forth on Schedule 14(g)(i) above. The name, position, current rate
of  compensation  and any vacation or holiday  pay,  sick pay,  personal  leave,
severance and any other  compensation  arrangements or fringe benefits,  of each
current  employee,  sales  representative,  consultant  and agent of the Seller,
contained on the Schedule of Personnel  Payrates and Advances attached hereto as
Schedule 14(i) is accurate and complete. No employee, consultant or agent of the
Seller has any  vested or  unvested  retirement  benefits  or other  termination
benefits,  except as described on Schedule 14(i). Since the date that is two (2)
years prior to the date hereof, there has been no material adverse change in the
relationship  between  the  Seller  and its  employees,  nor any strike or labor
disturbance  


                                      -17-


by any of such employees  affecting the Business and there is no indication that
such a change, strike or labor disturbance is likely. No employees of the Seller
are  represented by any labor union or similar  organization  in connection with
their employment by or relationship  with,  Seller,  and to the knowledge of the
Seller  and  Shareholders,  there are no pending or  threatened  activities  the
purpose  of  which  is to  achieve  such  representation  of all or some of such
employees,  and there are no  threats  of  strikes,  work  stoppages  or pending
grievances  by any  such  employees.  Seller  is  not  party  to any  collective
bargaining or other labor contracts.

             (j) Employee Benefit Plans.  Except as set forth on Schedule 14(j),
Seller has no pension, bonus,  profit-sharing,  or retirement plans for officers
or employees of the Business,  nor is Seller  required to contribute to any such
plan. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Seller does not maintain
or make  contributions to and has not at any time in the past maintained or made
contributions  to any  employee  benefit  plan which is  subject to the  minimum
funding  standards of the Employee  Retirement  Income  Security Act of 1974, as
amended  ("ERISA"),  or to any  multi-employer  plan subject to the terms of the
Multi-employer Pension Plan Amendment Act of 1980 (the "MULTI-EMPLOYER ACT").

             (k) Insurance. All inventories, buildings and fixed assets owned or
leased by the Seller are and will be adequately  insured  against fire and other
casualty through the Closing Date. The information  contained on the Schedule of
Insurance Policies, attached hereto as Schedule 14(k), is accurate and complete.
Schedule  14(k)  also sets  forth any  claims  made  under any of the  insurance
policies  referred to above or increases in premiums  therefore  during the past
two years. True and complete copies of all policies of fire, liability and other
forms of  insurance  held or owned  by the  Seller  or  otherwise  in force  and
providing  coverage  for the  Business or any of the Assets  (including  but not
limited  to  medical  malpractice  insurance,  and any state  sponsored  plan or
program for worker's  compensation)  have been delivered to Buyer. Such policies
are owned by and payable solely to the Seller,  and said policies or renewals or
replacements  thereof will be outstanding and duly in force at the Closing Date,
and all premiums due on or before the Closing Date in respect  thereof have been
paid.

             (l)  Disclosure.  No  representation  or  warranty by Seller or any
Shareholder  in this  Agreement  or in any  Transaction  Document,  contains any
untrue  statement of material fact or omits to state any material fact, of which
Shareholders  or Seller or any of its officers,  directors or  stockholders  has
knowledge or notice, required to make the statements herein or therein contained
not misleading.

             (m)  Officers,  Directors  and  Shareholders  of Seller.  As of the
Closing  Date,  the  Shareholders  are the sole  shareholders  of Seller and the
following individuals are all of the officers and directors of Seller:



                  Name                            Office/Position
                  ----                            ---------------

                                               
                  David Verity                    President
                  Peter Cummiskey                 Vice President/Treasurer
                  John Young                      Vice President
                  Patricia Fox                    Secretary


             (n) Inventory and Fixed Assets.  The  information  contained on the
Schedule of Inventory and Fixed Assets as of the most recent Financial Statement
Date, attached hereto as Schedule 1(a)(ii), is accurate and complete.

                                      -18-


             (o)  Financial  Statements.  Seller  has  furnished  Buyer with its
financial statements (the "FINANCIAL STATEMENTS") for the periods ended December
31, 1996 and December 31, 1997, and the interim period ending  February 28, 1998
(the  "FINANCIAL  STATEMENT  DATES"),  copies  of which are  attached  hereto as
Schedule 14(o). The Financial  Statements:  (i) are in accordance with the books
and records of the Seller;  (ii) fairly  present the financial  condition of the
Seller at such date and the results of its operations for the periods specified;
(iii) were prepared in accordance  with GAAP applied on a basis  consistent with
prior  accounting  periods;  (iv) with  respect to all  Contracts of the Seller,
reflect  adequate  reserves for all reasonably  anticipated  losses and costs in
excess of  anticipated  income;  and (v) with  respect  to any  balance  sheets,
disclose all of the  liabilities of the Seller at the Financial  Statement Dates
and  include  the   appropriate   reserves  for  all  taxes  and  other  accrued
liabilities,  except that certain  contingent  liabilities,  if not disclosed on
such  balance  sheets,  shall be  considered  to be  disclosed  pursuant to this
subparagraph,  if  expressly  disclosed  on an Schedule to this  Agreement.  The
income statements included in the Financial  Statements do not contain any items
of special or  nonrecurring  income or expense or any other income not earned or
expense not incurred in the ordinary  course of business,  consistent  with past
practice,  except as expressly specified therein,  and such Financial Statements
include  all  adjustments,  which  consist  only of normal  recurring  accruals,
necessary for such fair presentation.

             (p) Supplemental  Tax Information.  Seller has furnished Buyer with
its most recent (i) tax registration certificates, and (ii) tax returns required
of it by each state or other locality in which it conducts  business,  which tax
returns in all instances where applicable  include,  but shall not be limited to
franchise taxes,  state and local tangible  personal  property tax returns,  and
state and local  sales tax  returns,  which  registration  certificates  and tax
returns  are set  forth,  collectively,  on the  Schedule  of  Supplemental  Tax
Information, attached hereto as Schedule 14(p).

             (q) Adverse Business Developments.  Except as set forth on Schedule
14(q),  no notice has been received by Seller or any  Shareholder  of any new or
substantially  expanded  firm  or  individual  engaged  in a  business  directly
competitive  to Seller in its primary  service area within six (6) months before
the date hereof.  Except as set forth on Schedule 14(q),  neither Seller nor any
Shareholder has received, either orally or in writing, any notice specific to it
of pending or threatened adverse action with respect to any Medicare,  Medicaid,
private  insurance  or third  party  payor  reimbursement  method,  practice  or
allowance as to any business  activity  engaged in by Seller,  nor has Seller or
any Shareholder received, or been threatened with, any claim for refund specific
to it in  excess  of  $500.00  by a  Medicare  or  Medicaid  carrier,  except as
disclosed on Schedule 14(q).

             (r) Relationships.  Except as disclosed on Schedule 14(r),  neither
Seller, its officers, directors and employees, nor any Shareholder and no member
of any of their respective immediate families,  and no person or entity which is
controlled by, under common control with, or controlling  any of them (each,  an
"AFFILIATE")  has,  or at any time  within  the last two (2)  years  has had,  a
material ownership interest in any business,  corporate or otherwise,  that is a
party to, or in any property that is the subject of, business  relationships  or
arrangements of any kind relating to the operation of the Business. No Affiliate
of Seller or any Shareholder is guaranteeing any obligations of the Seller.

             (s)  Assets  Comprising  the  Business.  The  Assets are all of the
tangible  and  intangible  properties  (real,  personal  and mixed),  including,
without   limitation,   all  licenses,   intellectual   property,   permits  and
authorizations, and contracts that are necessary or material to the operation of
the Business as now  operated.  The  quantities  of  inventory  and supply items
included in the Assets are  reasonable  in light of the present and  anticipated
volume of the Business of the Seller in the  ordinary  course of the business of
the Seller,  consistent with past practice,  as determined by the Seller in good
faith and consistent with past



                                      -19-



             (t)  Questionable Payments. Seller has not, and to the knowledge of
the Seller and Shareholders, none of their Affiliates or employees have offered,
made or received any illegal or unlawful  payment,  bribe,  kickback,  political
contribution  or  other  similar  questionable  payment  for  any  referrals  or
otherwise  in  connection  with the  ownership  or  operation  of the  Business,
including, without limitation, any of the same that would constitute a violation
of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.

             (u)  Reimbursement  Matters.  Seller,  to the extent  necessary  to
conduct its business in a manner consistent with past practice, is qualified for
participation  in the  Medicare and  Medicaid  programs.  Except as disclosed on
Schedule  14(u),  (i) Seller and  Shareholders  have not  received any notice of
denial or recoupment from the Medicare or Medicaid programs,  or any other third
party  reimbursement  source  (inclusive  of managed  care  organizations)  with
respect  to  products  or  services   provided  by  it,  (ii)  to  Seller's  and
Shareholders'  knowledge,  there is no basis for the assertion after the Closing
Date of any such denial or recoupment  claim,  and (iii) Seller and Shareholders
have not  received  notice from any  Medicare  or Medicaid  program or any other
third party  reimbursement  source (inclusive of managed care  organizations) of
any pending or threatened  investigations or surveys with respect to, or arising
out of,  products  or  services  provided  by  Seller or  otherwise,  and to the
knowledge  of  Seller  and  Shareholders,  no such  investigation  or  survey is
pending,  threatened or imminent. Seller shall not be considered to be in breach
of the foregoing unless and until recoupment  claims  attributable to operations
prior to Closing  exceed the sum of  $40,000.00.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing
Seller shall be liable for repayment of all recoupment  claims  attributable  to
Seller's operations prior to the Effective Date.

             (v)  Environmental  Compliance.  Except as  disclosed  on  Schedule
14(v), at all times during Seller's ownership of the Business,  the Business has
not been, and currently is not, in violation of any  environmental  Governmental
Requirement  and no notice has ever been served upon any  Shareholder or Seller,
its agents or representatives  or any prior owner of the Business,  claiming any
violation of any Governmental  Requirement  concerning the environmental  state,
condition  or quality of any real or  personal  property  in any  related to the
Business, or requiring or calling attention to the need for any work, repairs or
demolition on or in connection  with any of the real property in order to comply
with any  governmental  requirement  concerning the  environmental  or healthful
state, condition or quality of the real property.

             (w) Cash  Receipts.  The  information  contained on the Schedule of
Collections  for the period  commencing on the most recent  Financial  Statement
Date, and ending on the Effective  Date,  attached  hereto as Schedule 14(w), is
accurate and complete.

             (x) Accounts Receivable.  The information contained on the Schedule
of Accounts  Receivable  Data as of the most recent  Financial  Statement  Date,
attached hereto as Schedule 14(x), is accurate and complete.

             (y)  Shareholders.  Seller and  Shareholders  represent and warrant
that other than David Verity,  Peter Cummiskey,  Gregory Guay,  Patricia Connell
Fox, Maureen DaCosta Redmond,  and James Connell (the "MAJORITY  SHAREHOLDERS'),
all other  shareholders  of Seller  (the  "MINORITY  SHAREHOLDERS")  are passive
investors  in  the  Seller,  are  not  employees,   consultants  or  independent
contractors  of  Seller,  and have less  than a 10%  ownership  interest  in the
Seller.

                                      -20-


             (z) Tax  Information.  Each of the Seller and each  Subsidiary  has
furnished Buyer with its (a) most recent tax registration certificates,  and (b)
tax returns for the  periods  ended  December  31,  1995 and  December  31, 1996
required of it by each state or other  locality  in which it conducts  business,
which tax returns in all instances where  applicable  include,  but shall not be
limited to, income,  franchise taxes, state and local tangible personal property
tax  returns,  and  state  and  local  sales  tax  returns,  which  registration
certificates and tax returns are set forth, collectively, on the Schedule of Tax
Information,  attached hereto as Schedule  14(z).  The balance sheet included in
the most recent  Financial  Statements  for the Seller and each  Subsidiary on a
consolidated  basis sufficiently  provides for all accrued,  deferred and unpaid
federal, state, local and foreign net or gross income, profits, property, sales,
use, excise, license, franchise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, windfall
profits tax,  alternative and add-on minimum taxes,  customs duty,  added value,
payroll,  employer's  income,  withholding and social security taxes,  excise or
other  taxes  ("TAXES")  and  any  penalties,  interest,  governmental  charges,
assessments  and  deficiencies  related  thereto,  payable by the Company or the
Subsidiary. All Taxes payable by the Seller or each Subsidiary, and all interest
and penalties thereon, whether disputed or not, have been paid in full when due,
all tax returns,  declarations of estimated tax and other reports required to be
filed in connection  therewith ("TAX RETURNS") have been accurately prepared and
completed on an appropriate  basis and duly and timely filed in accordance  with
all Governmental Requirements, all computations and taxable income correctly and
accurately made and reported in accordance with all Government Requirements, and
all withholdings and deposits  required by Governmental  Requirements to be made
by the Seller or each  Subsidiary with respect to employee's  withholding  taxes
have been duly made.  Except as set forth on Schedule 14(z),  none of the Seller
or each Subsidiary has been delinquent in the payment of any Tax,  assessment or
governmental  charge or deposit and has no tax deficiency or claim  outstanding,
proposed or assessed  against it, and there is no basis for any such  deficiency
or claim.  The federal income tax returns of the Seller and each Subsidiary have
been filed with the Internal  Revenue Service for all of the fiscal years though
the year ended  December 31, 1996, and no objections  with respect  thereto have
been received by the Seller, the Subsidiaries, or any Shareholder.  There is not
now in force any  extension  of time with  respect  to the date on which any Tax
Return  was or is due to be  filed  by or  with  respect  to the  Seller  or any
Subsidiary  or any waiver or agreement by the Seller or any  Subsidiary  for the
extension  of time  for  assessment  of any  Tax.  Neither  the  Seller  nor any
Subsidiary is a party to any pending action or proceeding, and, to the knowledge
of the Seller,  each Subsidiary,  and the Shareholders,  no action or proceeding
has been threatened by any  Governmental  Authority for assessment or collection
of any  Taxes,  nor has any claim for  assessment  or  collection  of Taxes been
asserted  against  the  Seller or any  Subsidiary.  Neither  the  Seller nor any
Subsidiary is a party to any tax sharing  agreement or arrangement.  Neither the
Seller nor any Subsidiary has elected to be taxed in accordance  with Subchapter
S of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

             (aa) Recent Acquisitions.  As of the Closing Date, Seller shall own
100% of the membership  interests of First Community Care,  L.L.C.  ("FCC-LLC").
Prior to the date hereof,  North Country Medical Supply,  Inc. ("NORTH COUNTRY")
was merged with and into the Seller.  Both FCC-LCC and North Country are free of
all liens,  claims and  encumbrances and shall have been fully paid for prior to
the date hereof.

         15.  Representations and Warranties of Buyer and IHS. Each of Buyer and
IHS represent and warrant to Seller and Shareholders that:

             (a) Due Organization.  Buyer is a duly organized, valid corporation
under  the  laws  of the  State  of  Florida.  IHS is a  duly  organized,  valid
corporation under the laws of the State of Delaware.

                                      -21-


             (b) Due  Authority.  Buyer and IHS are duly  authorized  by law and
corporate  policy  and  approval  to:  (i) enter  into this  Agreement  and each
Transaction Document; (ii) make all warranties and representations made by Buyer
and IHS herein; and (iii) deliver all consideration provided for under the terms
hereof.

             (c) Binding  Authority.  All  signatures  and agents  designated as
agents/officers  for Buyer and IHS for signing  purposes  have the  authority to
bind Buyer and IHS to the terms of this Agreement.

             (d) Cash Payment  Authority.  Buyer has the  authority to cause the
cash payment of the Purchase Price to be delivered in accordance  with the terms
of this Agreement.

             (e) Brokers.  No broker or finder has acted for the Buyer or IHS in
connection with the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement,  and no broker
or finder is entitled to any  broker's or finder's  fee or other  commission  in
respect thereof based in any way on agreements,  understandings  or arrangements
with the Buyer or IHS.

             (f) IHS Stock.  IHS has duly  authorized  and reserved for issuance
the IHS  Stock  to be  issued  in  connection  herewith,  and,  when  issued  in
accordance  with the terms of Article 7, such IHS Stock will be validly  issued,
fully paid, and non-assessable and free of preemptive rights.

         16. Survival of Representations and Warranties. The representations and
warranties  of Seller,  Shareholders,  and Buyer  contained and made pursuant to
this Agreement  shall survive the execution of the Closing Date and for a period
of five (5) years after the Closing,  notwithstanding  any  investigation at any
time made by or on behalf of the other party,  provided that the representations
and  warranties  contained  in  paragraph  14(u)  (Reimbursement   Matters)  and
paragraph  14(z) (Tax  Information),  shall survive until thirty (30) days after
the applicable  period of limitations for audits by the applicable  Governmental
Authority shall have expired, including extensions for any necessary appeals.

         17. Restrictive Covenants.

             (a)  Non-Compete.

                  (i) Seller and  Shareholders  hereby agree that  commencing on
the date hereof  until the fifth  (5th)  anniversary  of the  Closing  Date (the
"RESTRICTED  PERIOD"),  it, he or she will not,  directly  or  indirectly,  own,
manage,  operate,  join, control or participate,  or have a proprietary interest
in, the ownership, management, operation or control, of or be connected with, in
any  manner,  any home  health  care  business  within  fifty  (50) miles of any
location  set forth on the  Schedule of  Locations  attached  hereto as Schedule
17(a).

                  (ii) Gregory Guay hereby  agrees that until the  expiration of
the  Restricted  Period,  he will only act in his  capacity  as chief  financial
officer in a home health care business.

              (b) Confidential Information. Certain confidential and proprietary
information is included within the Assets ("TRADE SECRETS"),  including, without
limitation,  with  respect  to  some  or  all  of the  following  categories  of
information: (i) financial information, including but not limited to information
relating to earnings,  assets, debts, prices,  pricing structure,  reimbursement
matters, volume of purchases or sales or other financial data whether related to
Seller or generally, or to particular products,  services,  geographic areas, or
time periods; (ii) supply and service information,  including but not limited to
information relating to goods and services, suppliers' names or addresses, terms
of supply  or  service  


                                      -22-


contracts or of particular transactions,  or related information about potential
suppliers  to the extent that such  information  is not  generally  known to the
public,  and to  the  extent  that  the  combination  of  suppliers  or use of a
particular supplier,  though generally known or available,  may yield advantages
to the  Buyer,  details  of  which  are  not  generally  known;  (ii)  marketing
information,  including but not limited to information relating to details about
ongoing or  proposed  marketing  programs or  agreements  by or on behalf of the
Seller, sales forecasts, advertising formats and methods or results of marketing
efforts or information about impending transactions; (iv) personnel information,
including  but not limited to  information  relating to  employees'  personal or
medical histories, compensation or other terms of employment, actual or proposed
promotions, hirings, resignations, disciplinary actions, terminations or reasons
therefor,  training methods,  performance,  or other employee  information;  (v)
customer  and patient  information,  including  but not  limited to  information
relating to names,  addresses or  backgrounds  of past,  existing or prospective
clients,   customers,   payors,  referral  sources,  and  patients,  records  of
agreements and prices,  proposals or agreements  between any of them and Seller,
status of accounts or credit, patients' medical histories or related information
as well as customer lists;  and (vi) inventions and  technological  information,
including  but not limited to  information  related to  proprietary  technology,
trade secrets,  research and development  data,  processes,  formulae,  data and
know-how,  improvements,  inventions,  techniques, and information that has been
created, discovered or developed, or has otherwise become known to Seller or any
Shareholder,  and/or in which  property  rights have been  assigned or otherwise
conveyed to Seller,  which  information has commercial  value in the business in
which the  Seller is  engaged.  Seller  and  Shareholders  shall  hold all Trade
Secrets in confidence  and will not discuss,  communicate or transmit to others,
or make any unauthorized copy of or use any of the Trade Secrets;  and will take
all reasonable actions that Buyer deems reasonably necessary or appropriate,  to
prevent  unauthorized use or disclosure of or to protect the Buyer's interest in
the Trade Secrets.  The foregoing  does not apply to  information  that by means
other than deliberate or inadvertent disclosure, by Seller,  Shareholders or any
of their respective Affiliates,  becomes well known to the public; or disclosure
compelled by judicial or administrative proceedings after they diligently try to
avoid each disclosure and afford Buyer the opportunity to obtain  assurance that
compelled disclosures will receive confidential treatment.

             (c) Non-Solicitation and Non-Pirating.  Seller and each Shareholder
hereby agree that,  during the Restricted  Period it or he will not, directly or
indirectly, for itself or himself or on behalf of any other person, firm, entity
or other enterprise: (i) solicit or in any way divert or take away any person or
entity that, prior to the Closing Date, was a patient, client, customer,  payor,
referral source, facility or patient of the Seller; or (ii) hire, entice away or
in any  other  manner  persuade  any  person  who was an  employee,  consultant,
representative  or agent of the  Seller  prior to the  Closing  Date,  to alter,
modify or terminate their relationship with the Buyer.

             (d) Necessary Restrictions. Seller and each Shareholder acknowledge
that the  restrictions  contained in this Agreement are reasonable and necessary
to protect the legitimate business interests of the Buyer and that any violation
thereof by any of them would result in irreparable  harm to the Buyer,  and that
damages in the event of any such breach of this Agreement will be difficult,  if
not impossible, to ascertain. Accordingly, the Seller and each Shareholder agree
that upon the violation of any of the restrictions  contained in this Agreement,
the Buyer shall be entitled to obtain from any court of competent jurisdiction a
preliminary  and permanent  injunction  as well as any other relief  provided at
law, equity, under this Agreement or otherwise, without the necessity of posting
any  bond or  other  security  whatsoever.  In the  event  any of the  foregoing
restrictions are adjudged unreasonable in any proceeding, then the parties agree
that the  period of time or the scope of such  restrictions  (or both)  shall be
adjusted  to such a manner  or for such a time (or  both) as is  adjudged  to be
reasonable.

                                      -23-


             (e)   Remedies  For  Breach.   The  Seller  and  each   Shareholder
acknowledge  that the  covenants  contained in this  Article 17 are  independent
covenants  and that any  failure by the Buyer to perform its  obligations  under
this Agreement or any other  agreement  shall not be a defense to enforcement of
the  covenants  contained  in this  Agreement,  including  but not  limited to a
temporary or permanent injunction.

             (f) Exception.  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary set forth
in this paragraph 17, until the Closing Date, the Buyer, Seller and Shareholders
acknowledge and agree that the Shareholders and the Seller shall continue to own
the Seller and the Assets, respectively.

         18. Indemnification; Remedies.

             (a) Indemnification by Seller and Majority Shareholders. Seller and
Majority Shareholders shall, jointly and severally,  indemnify and hold harmless
at all times Buyer and its stockholders,  directors, officers, employees, agents
and assigns,  from and against any Damages (as  hereinafter  defined)  resulting
from: (i) any inaccurate  representation  made by Seller or any  Shareholder in,
pursuant to or under this Agreement or any Transaction Document; (ii) any breach
of any warranty made by Seller or any  Shareholder in, pursuant to or under this
Agreement  or any  Transaction  Document;  (iii) any  breach or  default  in the
performance by Seller or any Shareholder of any of the covenants to be performed
by Seller or any Shareholder hereunder or in any Transaction Document;  (iv) any
Excluded  Liabilities;  and (v) any  liabilities  arising from the  ownership or
operation of any Subsidiary.

             (b)   Indemnification   by   Principal   Shareholders.    Principal
Shareholders  shall,  jointly and severally,  indemnify and hold harmless at all
times Buyer and its stockholders,  directors,  officers,  employees,  agents and
assigns,  from and against any Damages  resulting  from any amounts due to Buyer
pursuant to paragraph 3, above.

             (c)  Indemnification  by  Buyer.  Buyer  shall  indemnify  and hold
harmless  at all times  Seller or  Majority  Shareholders  from and  against any
Damages  resulting  from:  (i) any inaccurate  representation  made by Buyer in,
pursuant to or under this  Agreement;  (ii) any breach of any  warranty  made by
Buyer in, pursuant to or under this  Agreement;  and (iii) any breach or default
in the  performance  by Buyer of any of the  covenants  to be performed by Buyer
hereunder.

             (d) Definition of Damages.  The term "DAMAGES" as used herein shall
include any  demands,  claims,  actions,  deficiencies,  losses,  delinquencies,
defaults,   assessments,  fees,  costs,  taxes,  expenses,  debts,  liabilities,
obligations, settlements, penalties, and damages, including, without limitation,
counsel fees incurred in  investigating  or in attempting to avoid or oppose the
imposition thereof.  The term "Damages" shall include,  but shall not be limited
to,  any  Liabilities  Deficiency  or Asset  Value  Deficiency,  as  defined  in
paragraph 6 hereof.

             (e) Indemnity  Limitations.  The maximum aggregate liability of the
Seller and Majority Shareholders for indemnification  hereunder shall not exceed
an amount equal to  $10,100,000.  In no event shall each Majority  Shareholder's
indemnification  obligation under this paragraph 17 exceed 150% of the amount of
the Purchase Price payable to such Majority  Shareholder (in accordance with his
or her pro rata ownership interest in the Seller).

             (f) Remedies.

                                      -24-


                  (i) Buyer's Remedies. If Buyer makes written request to Seller
         or the Majority  Shareholders  for the payment of Damages,  then Seller
         and/or Majority  Shareholders  shall pay to Buyer the amount of Damages
         requested  within ten (10) days from the date on which such  request is
         received (the "NOTICE PERIOD").

                  (ii)  Seller's  Remedies.  If Seller or Majority  Shareholders
         make  written  request to Buyer for the payment of Damages,  then Buyer
         shall pay to Seller or  Majority  Shareholders  the  amount of  Damages
         requested within the Notice Period.

                  (iii)  Notice  of  Dispute.   Notwithstanding   the  foregoing
         provisions of this subparagraph (d), if a party (the "DEMANDING PARTY")
         serves a  request  for  payment  on the  other  party  (the  "OBLIGATED
         PARTY"),  the Obligated  Party shall have the option to provide written
         notice to the Demanding Party (the "NOTE OF DISPUTE") within the Notice
         Period that the Obligated Party disputes,  in good faith,  the validity
         or amount of the Damages set out in the request for payment of Damages,
         and if the affected  parties  cannot agree on the validity or amount of
         such Damages  within ten (10) days  following  the Notice  Period,  the
         dispute as to the  validity or amount of such claim or  liability  (the
         "DISPUTE")  shall be settled as set forth in  subparagraph  (f) of this
         paragraph 18.

                  (iv) Arbitration.  If arbitration is required pursuant to this
         paragraph 18, Buyer and Seller or the Majority  Shareholders each shall
         select an arbitrator  within ten (10) business days after the Notice of
         Dispute is delivered;  those two  arbitrators  will then select a third
         arbitrator;  and the three  arbitrators  so chosen will  determine  the
         validity  of the  claim  for  Damages.  If  Seller  or Buyer  delays in
         appointing an arbitrator  when required,  and ten (10) days or more has
         elapsed,  the arbitrator  appointed by the other party shall  arbitrate
         the  dispute.  If the Seller  and the  Majority  Shareholders  shall be
         subject to a Dispute  with  Buyer,  they  shall,  unless  Buyer  elects
         otherwise in its sole and absolute discretion,  be required to act as a
         group with respect to any and all rights and  obligations  with respect
         to the resolutions of the Dispute as provided in this paragraph 18.

             (g)  Settlement of Disputes.

                  (i)  Disputes  Not  Involving  Third  Parties.  If  a  Dispute
         involves  claims not  involving  any third  party,  Buyer and Seller or
         Majority  Shareholders  shall settle the Dispute by submitting the same
         to binding arbitration.

                  (ii) Disputes  Involving  Claims Made by Third  Parties.  If a
         Dispute  involves  claims  made by one or more third  parties (a "THIRD
         PARTY CLAIM"),  the party  asserting its right to  indemnification  for
         such Third Party Claim shall give written  notice to the other party as
         soon as practical  after such asserting  party receives  notice of such
         Third Party  Claim;  provided,  however the failure to timely give such
         notice shall not affect such party's right to indemnification except to
         the extent the party to  receive  the notice is damaged by such  delay.
         Upon such notice to Seller or Majority  Shareholders,  Buyer and Seller
         and/or Majority  Shareholders  shall submit the Dispute to arbitration,
         and the following procedures shall apply:

                        (A)  Solely  for  purposes  of  determining   the  party
                  responsible   for  defending   the  Third  Party  Claim,   the
                  arbitrators  shall  deem such  Third  Party  Claim to be valid
                  (although such consideration  shall not be an admission by any
                  party as to any liability to any party).  The arbitrators then
                  shall  decide  which party shall be liable for the Third Party
                  Claim if it is successfully  prosecuted by such 



                                      -25-


                  third party or parties,  and the decision of such  arbitrators
                  with respect to such  liability  shall be final and binding as
                  among the  parties.  (Such party  determined  to be liable for
                  such  claim  sometimes  shall be  referred  to  herein  as the
                  "RESPONSIBLE PARTY".)

                        (B) If the Responsible  Party refuses to settle (and pay
                  the settlement  amount of) the Third Party Claim  immediately,
                  then the Responsible Party immediately shall select one of the
                  following two options:

                        Option One: The  Responsible  Party,  at the Responsible
                     Party's  sole  expense and risk,  can assume the defense of
                     the Third Party Claim, provided the Responsible Party first
                     places in  escrow,  in favor of the other  party,  adequate
                     collateral   (as   determined   by   the   arbitrators   on
                     consideration  of all relevant facts  including the amounts
                     of any already held in the Escrow Agreement  (excluding the
                     Claw-back  Amount) and Payment Escrow  Agreement to protect
                     the other party from all Damages with respect to such Third
                     Party  Claim (in which  case the  other  party  immediately
                     shall be reimbursed by the Responsible Party for any amount
                     the other  party is  required  to pay with  respect to such
                     Third Party Claim; or

                        Option Two: The  Responsible  Party,  at the Responsible
                     Party's  expense and risk,  can  co-defend  the Third Party
                     Claim with the other party, with the Responsible Party also
                     responsible  for  paying  all costs  incurred  by the other
                     Party in connection with such defense,  including,  without
                     limitation,  the  legal  fees  and  expenses  of the  other
                     party's  counsel  for its  reasonable  involvement  in such
                     defense.  If the other  party is found to be liable for any
                     portion of such Third Party Claim,  the  Responsible  Party
                     immediately  shall reimburse the other party for any amount
                     required  to be  paid  by  the  other  party  with  respect
                     thereto;  provided,   however,  if  the  Responsible  Party
                     selects this option,  the  Responsible  Party shall attempt
                     diligently  to have the other  party  removed as a party to
                     any legal action involving the Third Party Claim (and, upon
                     such removal,  the involvement of the other party's counsel
                     shall cease unless  requested by the  Responsible  Party or
                     the Responsible Party's counsel); and

                        (C) No party may settle any Third  Party  Claim  without
                   the prior  consent  of the other  parties  hereto  unless the
                   settlement  will not have a  material  adverse  effect on the
                   other party hereto. The parties will resolve any Dispute with
                   respect to any such proposed  settlement  in accordance  with
                   this paragraph 18.

                        (D) Any party  responsible  for  defending a Third Party
                   Claim shall  proceed  with  diligence  and in good faith with
                   respect thereto.

         19. Use of Corporate  and  Fictitious  Names.  Seller and  Shareholders
agree to take all actions  necessary to assist Buyer in obtaining  the rights to
use the corporate  name and any  fictitious  names used in its conduct of any of
the Business,  including but not limited to the execution of any assignments and
consents  to use such name.  If Buyer  attempts to use such name,  Seller  shall
consent to Buyer's  use of such name if such  consent is  required by any state,
county or local governmental authority.

                                      -26-


         20  Prepaid Items; Deposits; Etc. All prepaid insurance premiums,  rent
and utility  deposits,  and similar  items paid by or owing to the Seller by any
person,  shall be considered  to be part of the Assets being  purchased by Buyer
and, on consummation of the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement,  shall
be the property of Buyer.

         21. Post-Closing Requirements of Seller.

             (a) Payment  Escrow.  On the date hereof,  Buyer shall pay over and
deliver to or on behalf of Seller (and shall be credited, dollar-for-dollar,  as
partial  payment of the  Purchase  Price) to the Paying  Agent,  in escrow  (the
"PAYMENT  ESCROW"),  an amount equal to the Limited  Liabilities as specified in
paragraph 2(b)(iii), above, to be held by the Paying Agent subject to the terms,
conditions,  and  provisions of the Payment Escrow  Agreement.  The Paying Agent
shall be an attorney at law  authorized to practice law in the State of New York
or a trust  company or bank having  trust powers in the State which Paying Agent
has been selected by Seller and approved by Buyer.

                  (i) Seller  shall pay all costs and  expenses  of the  Payment
         Escrow,  including without limitation,  any fees or costs of the Paying
         Agent.

                  (ii) Seller  shall be  obligated  to see that the Paying Agent
         timely and properly pays all Limited  Liabilities,  and that the Paying
         Agent obtains and delivers to Buyer the "FINAL RELEASE"  referred to in
         the Payment Escrow Agreement,  or other reasonable  evidence of payment
         acceptable  to Buyer for all Limited  Liabilities  in excess of $5,000.
         Additionally,   Seller  shall  prepare  and  deliver  UCC   termination
         statements, if applicable.

                  (iii)  If  any  existing  obligation  has  not  been  paid  or
         performed and a Final Release or other  acceptable  evidence of payment
         therefor  delivered  or  performance  thereof to Buyer  within nine (9)
         months  following  the date  hereof,  then any  unpaid  portion of such
         liability shall constitute  "LIABILITIES"  subject to the provisions of
         paragraph 5, above.

             (b)  Final  Financial Information.  Not later than  forty-five (45)
days following Closing, Seller, at Seller's sole cost and expense, shall deliver
to Buyer "FINAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION", which shall include:

                  (i) a balance sheet of Seller as of the date hereof,  prepared
         in accordance with GAAP;

                  (ii) an income  statement of Seller for the period  commencing
         on the  date  succeeding  the last  day of the  most  recent  Financial
         Statement Date and ending on the Closing Date;

                  (iii) an inventory of fixed assets of Seller as of the Closing
         Date;

                  (iv) an  inventory  of  supplies  of Seller as of the  Closing
         Date;

                  (v) an aged  schedule of accounts  receivable  of Seller as of
         the Closing Date;

         and

                  (vi) a cash  settlement  of Seller,  in the form  provided  by
         Buyer.



                                      -27-


                  (c)  Liabilities  Deficiency.  If  all  such  Final  Financial
Information  is not  delivered to Buyer within such  forty-five  (45) day period
following Closing, Seller and Shareholders shall be liable to Buyer in an amount
equal to $500.00 for each day after such  thirty (30) day period  until all such
Final  Financial  Information is delivered to Buyer,  and such  liability  shall
constitute a Liabilities Deficiency under the provisions of paragraph 5, above.

         22. Third Party Beneficiaries.  Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or
implied, is intended to confer on any person, other than the parties hereto, and
their  successors,  any rights or remedies  under or by reason of this Agreement
other the affiliates entitled to indemnification pursuant to paragraph 18.

         23. Expenses.  Except as otherwise  stated herein,  each of the parties
shall bear all expenses  incurred by them in connection  with this Agreement and
in consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby in preparation thereof.

         24. Notices.  All notices,  consents,  waivers and other communications
required or  permitted  hereunder  shall be in writing and shall be deemed to be
properly  given when  personally  delivered to the party or parties  entitled to
receive  the  notice or three (3)  business  days  after  sent by  certified  or
registered  mail,  postage  prepaid,  or on  the  business  day  after  sent  by
nationally recognized overnight courier, in each case, properly addressed to the
party or parties entitled to receive such notice at the address stated below:

             to Seller:           First Community Care, Inc.
                                  210 John Glenn Drive
                                  Suite 12
                                  Amherst, NY 14228
                                  Attn:    Peter Cummiskey
                                           and David Verity

             to Shareholders:     at the addresses set forth on Schedule 24
                                                                -----------

             with a copy to:      Williams, Stevens, McCarville & Frizzell, P.C.
                                  420 Main Street
                                  Buffalo, NY 14202-3687
                                  Attn: Michael B. Sexton, Esq.

             to Buyer:            c/o RoTech Medical Corporations
                                  4506 L.B. McLeod Road, Suite F
                                  Orlando, FL 32811
                                  Attn: Stephen P. Griggs

             with copies to:      Integrated Health Services, Inc.
                                  10065 Red Run Boulevard
                                  Owings Mills, MD 21117
                                  Attn: Marshall Elkins

                                          and



                                    -28-


                                  Blass & Driggs
                                  461 Fifth Avenue
                                  New York, NY 10017
                                  Attn: Andrew S. Bogen

         25.  Choice  of Law.  The laws of the State of New York  applicable  to
contracts executed, delivered and to be fully performed in such State govern the
validity  of  this  Agreement,   the   construction   of  its  terms,   and  the
interpretation of the rights and duties of the parties.

         26. Sections and Other Headings. Section, paragraph, and other headings
contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect
in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

         27.  Counterpart  Execution.  This  Agreement may be executed in two or
more counterparts,  each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which,
together,  shall  constitute  but one  instrument.  Facsimile  signatures may be
deemed binding for this Agreement,  or any modification or amendment  hereto, or
any leases or other documents  contemplated  hereby,  provided that originals of
same are delivered within a reasonable time.

         28. Gender.  All gender  employed in this  Agreement  shall include all
genders,  and the singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include
the singular whenever and as often as may be appropriate.

         29. Parties in Interest.  This Agreement  shall be binding on and shall
inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, Seller,  Shareholders  and Buyer
and their respective  successors and assigns.  Buyer shall be entitled to assign
its rights under this Agreement and the Transaction Documents after the Closing.
Seller and the Shareholders may not assign this Agreement or any of their rights
hereunder without the prior consent of Buyer.

         30.  Entire  Agreement.  This  Agreement  including  all  Schedules and
Exhibits hereto, and all Transaction  Documents  constitute the entire agreement
between the parties  hereto with respect to the subject  matter hereof and there
are no agreements, understandings,  restrictions, warranties, or representations
between the parties with respect to the subject  matter hereof other than as set
forth herein or as herein provided.

         31. Performance.  In the event of a breach by Seller or any Shareholder
of any of their  respective  obligations  hereunder,  the Buyer  shall  have the
right,  in  addition to any other  remedies  which may be  available,  to obtain
specific  performance  of the  terms  of this  Agreement,  and  Seller  and each
Shareholder  hereby  waives the defense that there may be an adequate  remedy at
law.

         32.  Waiver,   Discharge,  Etc.  This  Agreement  and  the  Transaction
Documents and the  obligations  hereunder and thereunder  shall not be released,
discharged,  abandoned,  changed  or  modified  in  any  manner,  except  by  an
instrument in writing  executed by or on behalf of each of the parties hereto by
their duly  authorized  officer or  representative.  The failure of any party to
enforce at any time any of the provisions of this  Agreement or any  Transaction
Document shall in no way be construed to be a waiver of any such provision,  nor
in any way to  affect  the  validity  of  this  Agreement  or  such  Transaction
Document,  as the case may be,  or any part  hereof  or the  right of any  party
thereafter to enforce each and every such provision.  No waiver of any breach of
this Agreement or any  Transaction  Document shall be held to be a waiver of any
other or subsequent breach.

                                      -29-


         33.  Cooperation  Further  Assistance.  From time to time,  as and when
reasonably  requested by any party hereto after the Closing,  the other  parties
will (at the expense of the requesting  party) execute and deliver,  or cause to
be executed or delivered, all such documents,  instruments and consents and will
use reasonable efforts to take all such action as may be reasonably requested or
necessary to carry out the intent and purpose of this Agreement,  and to vest in
Buyer good title to, possession of and control of all the Assets.

         34.  Joint  and  Several.  Subject  to the  limitations  set  forth  in
paragraph 18(e) of this Agreement, Seller and the Majority Shareholders shall be
jointly  and  severally   liable  for  all   representations,   warranties   and
obligations,  including,  without limitation,  indemnification  obligations, and
covenants  made by any of them pursuant to this  Agreement,  including,  without
limitation,  any made pursuant to any Transaction Document.  For all purposes of
this Agreement,  any  representation or warranty that is qualified to be "to the
knowledge  of Seller"  or by a  requirement  that  Seller  shall  have  received
"notice" of any matter, or any similar  qualification shall be deemed to include
the knowledge of the  Shareholders or notices to the  Shareholders,  as the case
may be.

         35.  Independent Legal Counsel.  Seller and Shareholders  represent and
warrant  that  each  party  has  had  the  opportunity  to seek  the  advice  of
independent  legal counsel prior to signing this  Agreement,  and that the Buyer
has recommended to Seller and Shareholders that such party obtain legal counsel.


                                      -30-


         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  have caused  this  Agreement  to be
executed as of the date first stated above.

                                           BUYER:

                                           NORTHEAST MEDICAL
                                           EQUIPMENT, INC.

                                           By: /s/
                                              ----------------------------------
                                           Name:  Stephen P. Griggs
                                           Title: President


                                           IHS:

                                           INTEGRATED HEALTH SERVICES,
                                           INC.

                                           By: /s/
                                              ----------------------------------
                                           Name:
                                                --------------------------------
                                           Title:
                                                 -------------------------------


                                           FIRST COMMUNITY CARE, INC..


                                           By:/s/ DAVID M. VERITY
                                              ---------------------------------
                                           Name: David Verity
                                           Title: President

STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF ERIE

         The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me by David Verity, as
President of First Community Care,  Inc., a New York  corporation,  on behalf of
the  corporation,  and  who is  personally  known  to me;  or  has  produced ___
_________________ as identification.


APRIL 29, 1998                              /s/ JAMES E. KELLY
- -------------------------------             ------------------------------------
Date                                        Notary Signature


                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Notary Name Printed
                                            My Commission Expires:


                                             JAMES E. KELLY
                                         NOTARY PUBLIC STATE OF NEW YORK
                                         QUALIFIED IN ERIE COUNTY
                                        MY COMMISSION EXPIRES 3-31-99
                                                              -------

                                      -31-







                                          SHAREHOLDERS:

                                          /s/ PETER CUMMISKEY
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Peter Cummiskey

STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF ERIE
         -----------

         The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me by Peter Cummiskey,
a shareholder of First Community Care, Inc., a New York  corporation,  on behalf
of the  corporation,  and who is  personally  known to me;  or has  produced  as
identification.


APRIL 29, 1998                              /s/ JAMES E. KELLY
- --------------------------                 ------------------------------------
Date                                       Notary Signature

                              JAMES E. KELLY
                         NOTARY PUBLIC STATE OF NEW YORK
                            QUALIFIED IN ERIE COUNTY
                       MY COMMISSION EXPIRES 3-31-99
                                            ----------

                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Notary Name Printed
                                           My Commission Expires:


                                           /s/ DAVID M. VERITY
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           David Verity

STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF ERIE
         ----------

         The foregoing  instrument was acknowledged before me by David Verity, a
shareholder of First Community Care, Inc., a New York corporation,  on behalf of
the  corporation,  and  who is  personally  known  to me;  or  has  produced ___
________________ as identification.


April 29, 1998                             /s/ JAMES E. KELLY
- -----------------------------              -------------------------------------
Date                                       Notary Signature


                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Notary Name Printed
                                           My Commission Expires:

                              JAMES E. KELLY
                         NOTARY PUBLIC STATE OF NEW YORK
                            QUALIFIED IN ERIE COUNTY
                       MY COMMISSION EXPIRES 3-31-99
                                            ----------


                                      -32-





                                           /s/ JOHN E. YOUNG
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          John Young

STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF ERIE
          ---------

         The foregoing  instrument was  acknowledged  before me by John Young, a
shareholder of First Community Care, Inc., a New York corporation,  on behalf of
the  corporation,  and  who is  personally  known  to me;  or  has  produced ___
_______________________ as identification.



APRIL 29, 1998                             /s/ JAMES E. KELLY
- ----------------------------               ------------------------------------
Date                                       Notary Signature

                              JAMES E. KELLY
                         NOTARY PUBLIC STATE OF NEW YORK
                            QUALIFIED IN ERIE COUNTY
                       MY COMMISSION EXPIRES 3-31-99
                                            ----------

                                           ------------------------------------
                                           Notary Name Printed
                                           My Commission Expires:


                                           /s/ GREGORY GUAY
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Gregory Guay

STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF ERIE
         ----------

         The foregoing  instrument was acknowledged before me by Gregory Guay, a
shareholder of First Community Care, Inc.., a New York corporation, on behalf of
the  corporation,  and  who is  personally  known  to me;  or  has  produced ___
_________________  as identification.


APRIL 29, 1998                              /s/ JAMES E. KELLY
- -----------------------------              -------------------------------------
Date                                       Notary Signature

                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Notary Name Printed
                                           My Commission Expires:

                              JAMES E. KELLY
                         NOTARY PUBLIC STATE OF NEW YORK
                            QUALIFIED IN ERIE COUNTY
                       MY COMMISSION EXPIRES 3-31-99
                                            ----------


                                      -33-





                                            /s/ PATRICIA CONNELL FOX
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Patricia Connell Fox

STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF ERIE
         ----------

         The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me by Patricia Connell
Fox, a shareholder of First Community  Care,  Inc., a New York  corporation,  on
behalf of the corporation, and who is personally known to me; or has produced __
_________________ as identification.

APRIL 29, 1998                             /s/ JAMES E. KELLY
- ----------------------------               -------------------------------------
Date                                       Notary Signature

                              JAMES E. KELLY
                         NOTARY PUBLIC STATE OF NEW YORK
                            QUALIFIED IN ERIE COUNTY
                       MY COMMISSION EXPIRES 3-31-99
                                            ----------

                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Notary Name Printed
                                           My Commission Expires:


                                           /s/ PATRICIA CONNELL FOX
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Maureen Da Costa Redmond
                                           By: Patricia Connell Fox
                                           as Attorney-In-Fact

STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF ERIE
         ----------


         The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me by Patricia Connell
Fox, as  Attorney-In-Fact  for Maureen Da Costa Redmond,  a shareholder of First
Community Care, Inc., a New York corporation, on behalf of the corporation,  and
who is personally known to me; or has produced _________________________________
as identification.


APRIL 29, 1998                              /s/ JAMES E. KELLY
- --------------------------------           -------------------------------------
Date                                       Notary Signature


                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Notary Name Printed
                                           My Commission Expires:

                              JAMES E. KELLY
                         NOTARY PUBLIC STATE OF NEW YORK
                            QUALIFIED IN ERIE COUNTY
                       MY COMMISSION EXPIRES 3-31-99
                                            ----------


                                      -34-





                                             /s/ PATRICIA CONNELL FOX
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            James Connell
                                            By:  Patricia Connell Fox
                                            as Attorney-In-Fact

STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF ERIE
         -----------


         The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me by Patricia Connell
Fox, as  Attorney-In-Fact  for James Connell,  a shareholder of First  Community
Care, Inc., a New York  corporation,  on behalf of the  corporation,  and who is
personally known to me; or has produced _____________________ as identification.

April 29, 1998                             /s/ JAMES E. KELLY
- -------------------------------            -------------------------------------
Date                                       Notary Signature


                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Notary Name Printed

                                               JAMES E. KELLY
                                        NOTARY PUBLIC STATE OF NEW YORK
                                           QUALIFIED IN ERIE COUNTY
                                         MY COMMISSION EXPIRES 3-31-99
                                                               ----------

                                           /s/ PATRICIA CONNELL FOX
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Maurice Jack Connell
                                           By: Patricia Connell Fox
                                           as Attorney-In-Fact

STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF  ERIE
         ------------


         The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me by Patricia Connell
Fox, as  Attorney-In-Fact  for Maurice  Jack  Connell,  a  shareholder  of First
Community Care, Inc., a New York corporation, on behalf of the corporation,  and
who is personally known to me; or has produced _______________________________as
identification.


APRIL 29, 1998                             /s/ JAMES E. KELLY
- ---------------------------------          -------------------------------------
Date                                       Notary Signature


                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Notary Name Printed
                                           My Commission Expires:

                                                       JAMES E. KELLY
                                             NOTARY PUBLIC STATE OF NEW YORK
                                                  QUALIFIED IN ERIE COUNTY
                                                MY COMMISSION EXPIRES 3-31-99
                                                      ----------



                                      -35-






                             SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS

Schedule 1(a)(i)           -        Accounts Receivable
Schedule 1(a)(ii)          -        Inventory; Fixed Assets
Schedule 1(a)(iii)         -        Automobiles
Schedule 1(a)(v)(A)        -        Other Assets
Schedule 1(a)(v)(B)        -        Telephone Numbers
Schedule 2(a)              -        Allocation of Purchase Price
Schedule 2(b)(v)           -        Wire Instructions
Schedule 4                 -        North Country Indebtedness
Schedule 5(a)              -        Existing Obligations
Schedule 5(b)              -        Unassumed Contracts
Schedule 13                -        Material Change
Schedule 14(a)             -        Subsidiaries, Joint Ventures, etc.
Schedule 14(b)             -        Consents
Schedule 14(c)             -        Litigation
Schedule 14(g)             -        Contracts
Schedule 14(i)             -        Personnel Payrates; Employee Benefits
Schedule 14(j)             -        Employee Benefit Plans
Schedule 14(k)             -        Insurance
Schedule 14(o)             -        Financial Statements
Schedule 14(p)             -        Supplemental Tax Information
Schedule 14(q)             -        Adverse Business Developments
Schedule 14(r)             -        Relationships
Schedule 14(u)             -        Reimbursement Matters
Schedule 14(v)             -        Environmental Compliance
Schedule 14(w)             -        Cash Receipts
Schedule 14(x)             -        Accounts Receivable
Schedule 14(z)             -        Tax Information
Schedule 17(a)             -        Locations
Schedule 24                -        Shareholders' Address

Exhibit A                  -        Annual Operating Profit
Exhibit 2(b)(ii)           -        Escrow Agreement
Exhibit 2(b)(iii)          -        Payment Escrow Agreement
Exhibit 3                  -        Promissory Notes
Exhibit 11(b)(ii)          -        Seller's Opinion
Exhibit 11(b)(iv)          -        Employment Agreements




                                      -36-






                                   EXHIBIT "A"

                                OPERATING PROFIT

         1.       General Standards.

                  (a)  Performance.  Except  as  otherwise  expressly  agreed in
writing,  the parties  intend that the financial and economic  performance to be
determined  and measured  pursuant to this Exhibit "A" shall be determined  with
respect to Seller's Business during the period commencing on the date hereof and
ending on the  Closing  Date,  and  thereafter  until the end of the  Applicable
Period,  solely with respect to so much of the business  operations  of Buyer as
consists of the business  enterprise  previously  conducted  by the  Corporation
before  being  acquired  by Buyer  (collectively,  the  "ACQUIRED  ENTERPRISE").
Accordingly,  all  references  herein to  revenues,  expenses,  costs,  profits,
losses, and any other transaction or activity,  whether by reference to "Buyer",
or in any other manner, shall mean and refer only to so much thereof as pertains
directly to the Acquired Enterprise, unless such reference specifically provides
otherwise.  The  parties  expressly  intend all such  calculations  to provide a
determination of the profitability of the Acquired Enterprise,  determined as if
such Acquired Enterprise at all times operated as an autonomous entity.

                  (b) Determination of Operating Profit. The Operating Profit to
be  determined  hereunder  shall be  calculated on a pre-tax basis in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied ("GAAP"), as
further defined, limited, or explained as set forth herein.

         2.       Income and Cost.

                  (a) Income and Revenue.  Income shall be accounted  for on the
accrual  method  consistent  with the prior  accounting  methods of the Acquired
Enterprise,  and shall  consist of all direct  revenues,  defined as all "RENTAL
REVENUE" and "SALES REVENUE",  plus or minus the net change in unbilled revenue,
plus or minus gain or loss from equipment sales, plus or minus sales credits and
allowances, plus investment income.

                  (b) Costs and Expenses. Costs shall include the following:

                      (1)  DIRECT  EXPENSES  incurred  as  kept  on the  accrual
method, including salary paid to any employee and related payroll taxes.

                      (2) BAD  DEBT  expenses  shall  be the  actual  bad  debts
written  off,  plus or minus the  change in  allowance  for bad  debts.  For the
purpose of this calculation,  the allowance for bad debts is considered equal to
the amount of all accounts receivable in excess of 120 days old.

                      (3)   REASONABLE   TRAVEL   EXPENSES   of   employees   or
representatives  of  ROTECH  MEDICAL  CORPORATION  ("ROTECH")  to and  from  its
corporate offices on behalf of Buyer's matters,  to be allocated on a reasonable
basis.



                                      -37-





                      (4)  INTEREST on all or any net  intercorporate  borrowing
from Integrated Health Services,  Inc. ("IHS") at the cost of such funds to IHS;
provided that interest on any amounts borrowed by the Acquired  Enterprise after
the Closing by reason of a reduction in the Acquired Enterprise's cash resulting
from the Buyer's delay in obtaining a supplier number from Medicare shall not be
included as expenses for purposes of determining costs.

                      (5) GROUP OR CONSOLIDATED  PURCHASES for items benefitting
the Acquired Enterprise purchased by IHS, RoTech or by Buyer, to be allocated at
actual cost in accordance  with usage.  Costs to be allocated  include costs, if
any, of transportation, storage, etc.

                      (6)  DEPRECIATION  EXPENSES  will be  limited,  after  the
Closing, to an amount not to exceed $37,000 per month.

                      (7)  CORPORATION'S  OVERHEAD.  Prior to the  Closing,  the
general,   administrative   and   overhead   costs  of  Seller.   The   general,
administrative,  and overhead  costs of Buyer after the  Closing,  to the extent
allocable to the Acquired Enterprise on a reasonable basis.

                      (8) MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT FEES AND EXPENSES. Any management
fees that might be payable under any management agreement in effect with respect
to the  operation  of  Seller's  Business  after  the date  hereof  shall not be
deducted from revenue and shall not be treated as expenses.  Any  reimbursements
of expenses  payable to the Buyer under a management  agreement shall be treated
as  expenses  to the extent  same would be treated as  expenses if they had been
incurred by Buyer after the Closing Date.

                  (c)  Excluded  Items.  Costs  and  expenses  for  purposes  of
calculating operating profits shall not include the following:

                       (1) BRANCH  OFFICES.   All   start-up  costs,   operating
profits, and operating losses incurred by Buyer in the initial six (6) months on
the start-up,  opening, or operation of a branch office or location opened after
the date hereof shall be excluded  from  calculations  of Operating  Profits for
purposes of this Agreement.

                       (2) IHS/ROTECH OVERHEAD. Unless otherwise mutually agreed
by Buyer and the Seller,  IHS and RoTech corporate overhead or costs will not be
allocated to Buyer or considered in Operating Profits.

                       (3) COSTS  OF  ACQUIRING  THE  ACQUIRED  ENTERPRISE.  The
calculation of Operating Profits will not include costs or amortization of costs
incurred in the  acquisition  of the Acquired  Enterprise,  and any  liabilities
assumed by RoTech and  subsequently  paid off,  which  will be  included  in the
intercorporate borrowings in paragraph 2(b)(4), above.

                  (d)  Acquisition of  Enterprises.  Buyer may from time to time
offer to acquire  additional  enterprises,  in which case Buyer shall first seek
the  consent  thereto  from the  Seller.  If the  Seller  consents  thereto  the
calculation  of Operating  Profits shall be adjusted in a mutually  satisfactory
manner.  If Seller does not so consent Buyer shall not acquire such  enterprise.
Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to affect,  limit or restrict the right
of RoTech or IHS to make any acquisitions.



                                      -38-