PROPOSED FORM OF
                            DEALER-MANAGER AGREEMENT
                           FOR ANTHEM SECURITIES, INC.




                                                                 EXHIBIT 1(a)


                              ANTHEM SECURITIES, INC.

                              DEALER-MANAGER AGREEMENT
                                   (Best Efforts)

        RE:   ATLAS-ENERGY FOR THE NINETIES-PUBLIC #8 LTD.

Anthem Securities, Inc.
P.O. Box 926
Coraopolis, Pennsylvania 15108-0926

Gentlemen:

        The undersigned, Atlas Resources, Inc. ( the "Managing General
Partner"), on behalf of ATLAS-ENERGY FOR THE NINETIES-PUBLIC #8 LTD., hereby
confirms its agreement with you as Dealer-Manager as follows:

1.     DESCRIPTION OF UNITS.  The Managing General Partner has formed a limited
       partnership known as Atlas-Energy for the Nineties-Public #8 Ltd. (the
       "Partnership"), which will issue and sell Units of Participation in the
       Partnership (the "Units") at a price of $10,000 per Unit.  Subject to the
       receipt and acceptance by the Managing General Partner of the minimum
       Partnership Subscription of 100 Units ($1,000,000), there will be two
       closings, which are tentatively set for November 1, 1999 (the "Initial
       Closing Date"), and December 31, 1999.

       No subscriptions to the Partnership will be accepted after receipt of the
       maximum Partnership Subscription of $18,000,000 or December 31, 1999,
       whichever event occurs first (the "Offering Termination Date").

2.     REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND AGREEMENTS OF THE MANAGING GENERAL
       PARTNER.  The Managing General Partner represents and warrants to and
       agrees with you that:

       (a)    The Units have been or will be registered with the Securities and
              Exchange Commission (the "Commission") pursuant to the Securities
              Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act").

       (b)    The Managing General Partner shall provide to you for delivery to
              all offerees and purchasers and their representatives such
              information and documents as the Managing General Partner deems
              appropriate to comply with the Act and applicable state securities
              ("blue sky") laws.

       (c)    The Units when issued will be duly authorized and validly issued
              as set forth in the Amended and Restated Certificate and Agreement
              of Limited Partnership of the Partnership ("Partnership
              Agreement") set forth as Exhibit (A) to the offering circular (the
              "Prospectus") and subject only to the rights and obligations set
              forth in the Partnership Agreement or imposed by the laws of the
              state of formation of the Partnership or of any jurisdiction to
              the laws of which the Partnership is subject.

       (d)    The Partnership was duly formed pursuant to the laws of the
              Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and is validly existing as a limited
              partnership in good standing under the laws of Pennsylvania with
              full power and authority to own its properties and conduct its
              business as described in the Prospectus. The Partnership will be
              qualified to do business as a limited partnership or similar
              entity offering limited liability in those jurisdictions where the
              Managing General Partner deems such qualification necessary to
              assure limited liability of the limited partners.

       (e)    The Prospectus, as heretofore or hereafter supplemented or
              amended, does not contain an untrue statement of a material fact
              or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the
              statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which
              they are made, not misleading.


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3.     GRANT OF AUTHORITY TO THE DEALER-MANAGER. On the basis of the
       representations and warranties herein contained, and subject to the terms
       and conditions herein set forth, the Managing General Partner hereby
       appoints you as the Dealer-Manager for the Partnership and gives you the
       exclusive right to solicit subscriptions for the Units in all states
       other than Minnesota and New Hampshire, on a "best efforts" basis,
       subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein. In all states other
       than Minnesota and New Hampshire you agree to use your best efforts to
       effect such sales and to form and manage a selling group composed of
       soliciting broker-dealers ("Selling Agents"), each of which shall be a
       member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"),
       pursuant to "Selling Agent Agreements" in substantially the form attached
       hereto as Exhibit "B."

       The Managing General Partner shall have three business days after the
       receipt of an Executed Selling Agent Agreement to refuse that Selling
       Agent's Participation.


4.     COMPENSATION AND FEES.

       (a)    As Dealer-Manager you will receive from the Partnership the
              following fees based on the amount of the Agreed Subscription on
              each Unit sold to investors who are situated and/or residents in
              states other than Minnesota and New Hampshire:

              (i)    a 2.5% Dealer-Manager fee;

              (ii)   a 7.0% Sales Commission;

              (iii)  a .5% reimbursement of marketing expenses; and

              (iv)   a .5% reimbursement of the Selling Agents' bona fide
                     accountable due diligence expenses.

              The 7.0% Sales Commission, the .5% reimbursement of marketing
              expenses and the .5% reimbursement of bona fide accountable due
              diligence expenses will be reallowed to the Selling Agents.  The
              2.5% Dealer-Manager fee will be reallowed to the wholesalers for
              Agreed Subscriptions obtained through the wholesalers' effort.

       (b)    Pending receipt and acceptance by the Managing General Partner of
              the minimum Partnership Subscription ($1,000,000 excluding any
              optional subscription by the Managing General Partner and its
              Affiliates), all proceeds received by you from the sale of Units
              will be held in a separate interest bearing escrow account as
              provided in Section 15.

              Unless at least the minimum Partnership Subscription of $1,000,000
              is received on or before December 31, 1999, the offering shall be
              terminated, in which event no fee shall be payable to you and all
              funds advanced by purchasers shall be returned to them with
              interest earned. In addition, you shall deliver a termination
              letter in the form provided to you by the Managing General Partner
              to each such subscriber and to each of the offerees previously
              solicited by you and the Selling Agents in connection with the
              offering of the Units.

       (c)    The fees set forth in Section 4(a), which shall be reallowed by
              you to the Selling Agents which made the sale and the wholesalers,
              will be paid to you within five business days after at least the
              minimum Partnership Subscription ($1,000,000) has been received
              and accepted by the Managing General Partner and the subscription
              proceeds have been released to the Managing General Partner from
              the escrow account. Thereafter, such fees will be paid to you and
              reallowed to the Selling Agents and wholesalers as described in
              the previous sentence approximately every two weeks until the
              Offering Termination Date and all your remaining fees shall be
              paid by the Managing General Partner no later than 14 business
              days after the Offering Termination Date.

       (d)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, Registered Investment Advisors and
              their clients may subscribe to Units without paying the Sales
              Commissions and the reimbursement of marketing expenses and bona
              fide accountable due diligence expenses, and their Agreed
              Subscriptions will be subject only to the 2.5% Dealer-Manager fee.


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              Also, the Managing General Partner, its officers and directors and
              Affiliates, and the Selling Agents may subscribe to Units without
              paying the Dealer-Manager fee, Sales Commissions and the
              reimbursement of marketing expenses and the Selling Agents' bona
              fide accountable due diligence expenses.

5.     COVENANTS OF THE MANAGING GENERAL PARTNER.  The Managing General Partner
       covenants and agrees that:

       (a)    The Managing General Partner will deliver to you ample copies of
              the Prospectus and of all amendments or supplements thereto,
              heretofore or hereafter made, including all exhibits and other
              documents included therein.

       (b)    If any event affecting the Partnership or the Managing General
              Partner shall occur which in the opinion of the Managing General
              Partner should be set forth in a supplement to or an amendment of
              the Prospectus, the Managing General Partner will forthwith at its
              own expense prepare and furnish to you a sufficient number of
              copies of a supplement or amendment to the Prospectus so that it,
              as so supplemented or amended, will not contain an untrue
              statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
              necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of
              the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.

6.     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF DEALER-MANAGER.  You, as the
       Dealer-Manager, represent and warrant to the Managing General Partner
       that:

       (a)    You are a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
              standing under the laws of the state of your formation or of any
              jurisdiction to the laws of which you are subject, with all
              requisite power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to
              carry out your obligations hereunder.

       (b)    This Agreement when accepted and approved will be duly authorized,
              executed and delivered by you and will be a valid and binding
              agreement on your part in accordance with its terms.

       (c)    The consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
              Agreement and the Prospectus will not result in any breach of any
              of the terms or conditions of, or constitute a default under your
              Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, any indenture, agreement or
              other instrument to which you are a party, or violate any order
              applicable to you of any court or any federal or state regulatory
              body or administrative agency having jurisdiction over you or over
              your affiliates.

       (d)    You are duly registered pursuant to the provisions of the
              Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Act of 1934") as a dealer
              and you are a member in good standing of the NASD.  You are duly
              registered as a broker-dealer in the states in which you are
              required to be registered in order to carry out your obligations
              as contemplated by this Agreement and the Prospectus. You agree to
              maintain all the foregoing registrations in good standing
              throughout the term of the offer and sale of the Units and you
              agree to comply with all statutes and other requirements
              applicable to you as a broker-dealer pursuant to those
              registrations.

       (e)    Pursuant to your appointment as Dealer-Manager, you shall use your
              best efforts to exercise the supervision and control that you deem
              necessary and appropriate to the activities of you and the Selling
              Agents to comply with all the provisions of the Act, insofar as
              the Act applies to your and their activities hereunder.  Further,
              you and the Selling Agents shall not engage in any activity which
              would cause the offer and/or sale of Units not to comply with the
              Act, the Act of 1934 and the applicable rules and regulations of
              the Commission, the applicable state securities laws and
              regulations, this Agreement and the NASD Conduct Rules including
              Rules 2730, 2740, 2420, 2750, and Rules 2810(b)(2) and (b)(3),
              which provide as follows:


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       Sec. (b)(2)
       SUITABILITY

              (A)    A member or person associated with a member shall not
                     underwrite or participate in a public offering of a direct
                     participation program unless standards of suitability have
                     been established by the program for participants therein
                     and such standards are fully disclosed in the prospectus
                     and are consistent with the provisions of subparagraph (B)
                     of this section.

              (B)    In recommending to a participant the purchase, sale or
                     exchange of an interest in a direct participation program,
                     a member or person associated with a member shall:

                     (i)    have reasonable grounds to believe, on the basis of
                            information obtained from the participant concerning
                            his investment objectives, other investments,
                            financial situation and needs, and any other
                            information known by the member or associated
                            person, that:

                            (a)    the participant is or will be in a financial
                                   position appropriate to enable him to realize
                                   to a significant extent the benefits
                                   described in the prospectus, including the
                                   tax benefits where they are a significant
                                   aspect of the program;

                            (b)    the participant has a fair market net worth
                                   sufficient to sustain the risks inherent in
                                   the program, including loss of investment and
                                   lack of liquidity; and

                            (c)    the program is otherwise suitable for the
                                   participant; and

                     (ii)   maintain in the files of the member documents
                            disclosing the basis upon which the determination of
                            suitability was reached as to each participant.

              (C)    Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraphs (A) and (B)
                     hereof, no member shall execute any transaction in a direct
                     participation program in a discretionary account without
                     prior written approval of the transaction by the customer.

       Sec. (b)(3)
       DISCLOSURE

              (A)    Prior to participating in a public offering of a direct
                     participation program, a member or person associated with a
                     member shall have reasonable grounds to believe, based on
                     information made available to him by the sponsor through a
                     prospectus or other materials, that all material facts are
                     adequately and accurately disclosed and provide a basis for
                     evaluating the program.

              (B)    In determining the adequacy of disclosed facts pursuant to
                     subparagraph (A) hereof, a member or person associated with
                     a member shall obtain information on material facts
                     relating at a minimum to the following, if relevant in view
                     of the nature of the program:

                     (i)    items of compensation;

                     (ii)   physical properties;

                     (iii)  tax aspects;

                     (iv)   financial stability and experience of the sponsor;

                     (v)    the program's conflicts and risk factors; and


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                     (vi)   appraisals and other pertinent reports.

              (C)    For purposes of subparagraphs (A) and (B) hereof, a member
                     or person associated with a member may rely upon the
                     results of an inquiry conducted by another member or
                     members, provided that:

                     (i)    the member or person associated with a member has
                            reasonable grounds to believe that such inquiry was
                            conducted with due care;

                     (ii)   the results of the inquiry were provided to the
                            member or person associated with a member with the
                            consent of the member or members conducting or
                            directing the inquiry; and

                     (iii)  no member that participated in the inquiry is a
                            sponsor of the program or an affiliate of such
                            sponsor.

              (D)    Prior to executing a purchase transaction in a direct
                     participation program, a member or person associated with a
                     member shall inform the prospective participant of all
                     pertinent facts relating to the liquidity and marketability
                     of the program during the term of investment.

       (f)    You and the Selling Agents have received copies of the Prospectus
              relating to the Units and you and the Selling Agents have relied
              only on the statements contained in the Prospectus and not on any
              other statements whatsoever, either written or oral, with respect
              to the details of the offering of Units.

       (g)    You and the Selling Agents agree that you and the Selling Agents
              shall not place any advertisement or other solicitation with
              respect to the Units (including without limitation any material
              for use in any newspaper, magazine, radio or television
              commercial, telephone recording, motion picture, or other public
              media) without the prior written approval of the Managing General
              Partner, and without the prior written approval of the form and
              content thereof by the Commission, the NASD and the securities
              authorities of the states where such advertisement or solicitation
              is to be circulated. Any such advertisements or solicitations
              shall be at your expense.

       (h)    If a supplement or amendment to the Prospectus is prepared and
              delivered to you by the Managing General Partner, you agree and
              shall require any Selling Agent to agree to distribute each such
              supplement or amendment to the Prospectus to every person who has
              previously received a copy of the Prospectus from you and/or the
              Selling Agent and you further agree and shall require any Selling
              Agent to further agree to include such supplement or amendment in
              all future deliveries of any Prospectus.

       (i)    You agree to advise the Managing General Partner in writing of
              each state in which you and the Selling Agents propose to offer or
              sell the Units and you shall not nor shall you permit any Selling
              Agent to offer or sell Units in any state until such time as you
              shall have been advised in writing by the Managing General
              Partner, or the Managing General Partner's special counsel, that
              such offer or sale has been qualified in such state or is exempt
              from the qualification requirements imposed by such state or such
              qualification is otherwise not required.

       (j)    In connection with any offer or sale of the Units, you agree and
              shall require any Selling Agent to agree to comply in all respects
              with statements set forth in the Prospectus and the Partnership
              Agreement and you agree and shall require any Selling Agent to
              agree not to make any statement inconsistent with the statements
              in the Prospectus or the Partnership Agreement.  You further agree
              and shall require any Selling Agent to further agree that you
              shall not provide and shall require any Selling Agent not to
              provide any written information, statements or sales literature
              other than the Prospectus, the Managing General Partner's
              corporate profile and a brochure entitled "Atlas-Energy for the
              Nineties-Public #8 Ltd." (the corporate profile and the brochure
              collectively referred to herein as the "Brochure"), and any
              supplements or amendments thereto unless approved in


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              writing by the Managing General Partner.  Further, you agree and
              shall require any Selling Agent to agree not to make any untrue
              or misleading statements of a material fact in connection with
              the Units.

       (k)    You agree to use your best efforts in the solicitation and sale of
              said Units and to coordinate and supervise the efforts of the
              Selling Agents and you shall require any Selling Agent to agree to
              use its best efforts in the solicitation and sale of said Units,
              including insuring that the prospective purchasers meet the
              suitability requirements set forth in the Prospectus and the
              Subscription Agreement and properly execute the Subscription
              Agreement, which has been provided as Exhibit (I-B) to the
              Partnership Agreement, Exhibit (A) of the Prospectus, together
              with any additional forms provided in any supplement or amendment
              to the Prospectus, or otherwise provided to you by the Managing
              General Partner to be completed by prospective purchasers.

              Executed Subscription Agreements shall be delivered or mailed
              immediately to the Managing General Partner and must be received
              by the Managing General Partner at or prior to the Offering
              Termination Date.

              The Managing General Partner shall have the right to reject any
              subscription at any time for any reason without liability to it.
              Investor funds shall be transmitted as set forth in Section 16.

       (l)    Although not anticipated, in the event you assist in any transfers
              of the Units, you shall comply, and you shall require any Selling
              Agent to comply, with the requirements of Rule 2810(b)(2)(B) and
              (b)(3)(D) of the NASD Conduct Rules.

7.     STATE SECURITIES REGISTRATION.   Incident to the offer and sale of the
       Units, the Managing General Partner will either use its best efforts in
       taking all necessary action and filing all necessary forms and documents
       deemed reasonable by it in order to qualify or register Units for sale
       under the securities laws of the states requested by you pursuant to
       Section 6 (i) hereof or use its best efforts in taking any necessary
       action and filing any necessary forms deemed reasonable by it which are
       required to obtain an exemption from qualification or registration in
       such states.  Notwithstanding, the Managing General Partner may elect not
       to qualify or register Units in any state in which it deems such
       qualification or registration is not warranted for any reason in its sole
       discretion. The Managing General Partner and its counsel will inform you
       as to the jurisdictions in which the Partnership Units have been
       qualified for sale or are exempt under the respective securities or blue
       sky laws of such jurisdictions; but the Managing General Partner has not
       assumed and will not assume any obligation or responsibility as to your
       right or any Selling Agent's right to act as a broker-dealer with respect
       to the Units in any such jurisdiction.

       The Managing General Partner will provide to you and the Selling Agents
       for delivery to all offerees and purchasers and their representatives,
       any additional information, documents and instruments which the Managing
       General Partner deems necessary to comply with the rules, regulations and
       judicial and administrative interpretations in those states and
       jurisdictions for the offer and sale of the Units in such states. The
       Managing General Partner will file all post-offering forms, documents or
       materials and take all other actions required by the states in which the
       offer and sale of Units have been qualified or are exempt or in which the
       Units have been registered.  However, the Managing General Partner shall
       not be required to take any actions, make any filings or prepare any
       documents necessary or required in connection with your status or any
       Selling Agent's status as a broker-dealer under the laws of such states.

       The Managing General Partner shall promptly provide you with copies of
       all applications, filings, correspondence, orders or other documents or
       instruments relating to any application for qualification, registration
       or other approval under applicable state or Federal securities laws for
       the offering.

8.     EXPENSE OF SALE.  The expenses in connection with the offer and sale of
       the Units shall be payable as set forth below.


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       (a)    The Managing General Partner shall pay all expenses incident to
              the performance of its obligations hereunder, including the fees
              and expenses of the Managing General Partner's attorneys and
              accountants and all fees and expenses of registering or qualifying
              the Units for offer and sale in the states as set forth in Section
              7 hereof, or obtaining exemptions therefrom, even if this offering
              is not successfully completed.

       (b)    You shall pay all expenses incident to the performance of your
              obligations hereunder, including the formation and management of
              the selling group and the fees and expenses of your own counsel
              and accountants, even if this offering is not successfully
              completed.

9.     CONDITIONS OF YOUR DUTIES. Your obligations provided herein shall be
       subject to the accuracy, as of the date hereof and at the applicable
       closing date (as if made at the applicable closing date), of the
       representations and warranties of the Managing General Partner herein and
       to the performance by the Managing General Partner of its obligations
       hereunder.

10.    CONDITION OF THE MANAGING GENERAL PARTNER'S DUTIES. The Managing General
       Partner's obligations provided herein, including the duty to pay
       compensation as set forth in Section 4 hereof, shall be subject to the
       accuracy, as of the date hereof and at the applicable closing date (as if
       made at the applicable closing date) of your representations and
       warranties made herein, and to the performance by you of your obligations
       hereunder, and to the additional condition that the Managing General
       Partner shall have received, at or prior to the applicable closing date,
       the following documents:

       (a)    a fully executed Subscription Agreement for each prospective
              purchaser;

       (b)    certification to the Managing General Partner that you and each
              Selling Agent are registered as required by Section 6(d) and that
              such registrations were, during the term of the offering and
              through the applicable closing date, in full force and effect; and

       (c)    a certificate from you, dated at the applicable closing date, to
              the effect that your representations and warranties made herein
              are true and correct as if made at the applicable closing date and
              that you have fulfilled all your obligations hereunder.

11.    INDEMNIFICATION.

       (a)    You and the Selling Agents shall indemnify and hold harmless the
              Managing General Partner, the Partnership and its attorneys,
              against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or
              several, to which such parties may become subject, under the Act,
              the Act of 1934 or otherwise insofar as such losses, claims,
              damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out
              of or are based upon your agreements with the Selling Agents or
              your breach of any of your duties and obligations,
              representations, or warranties under the terms or provisions of
              this Agreement and you and the Selling Agents shall reimburse such
              parties for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in
              connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim,
              damage, liability or action.

       (b)    The Managing General Partner shall indemnify and hold you and the
              Selling Agents harmless against any losses, claims, damages or
              liabilities, joint or several, to which you and the Selling Agents
              may become subject, under the Act, the Act of 1934 or otherwise
              insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions
              in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon the Managing
              General Partner's breach of any of its duties and obligations,
              representations, or warranties under the terms or provisions of
              this Agreement and the Managing General Partner shall reimburse
              you and the Selling Agents for any legal or other expenses
              reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending
              such loss, claim, damage, liability or action.

       (c)    The foregoing indemnity agreements shall extend upon the same
              terms and conditions to, and shall inure to the benefit of, each
              person, if any, who controls each indemnified party within the
              meaning of the Act.


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       (d)    Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party of notice of the
              commencement of any action, such indemnified party shall, if a
              claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying
              party under this Section, notify the indemnifying party in writing
              of the commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the
              indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which
              it may have to any indemnified party. If any such action shall be
              brought against such indemnified party, it shall notify the
              indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, and the
              indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate in, and, to
              the extent that it shall wish, jointly with any other indemnifying
              party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with
              counsel satisfactory to such indemnified and indemnifying parties.
              After the indemnified party shall have received notice from the
              agreed upon counsel that the defense under this paragraph has been
              so assumed, the indemnifying party shall not be responsible for
              any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such
              indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof other
              than with respect to the agreed upon counsel who assumed the
              defense thereof.

12.    REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS TO SURVIVE DELIVERY. All representations,
       warranties and agreements of the Managing General Partner and you herein
       or in certificates delivered pursuant hereto, and the indemnity
       agreements contained in Section 11 hereof, shall survive the delivery,
       execution and closing hereof, and shall remain operative and in full
       force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of
       you or any person who controls you within the meaning of the Act, or by
       the Managing General Partner, or any of its officers, directors or any
       person who controls the Managing General Partner within the meaning of
       the Act, or any other indemnified party, and shall survive delivery of
       the Units hereunder.

13.    TERMINATION. You shall have the right to terminate this agreement other
       than the indemnification provisions of Section 11 by giving notice as
       hereinafter specified any time at or prior to a closing date:

       (a)    if the Managing General Partner shall have failed, refused, or
              been unable at or prior to the closing date, to perform any of its
              obligations hereunder; or

       (b)    there has occurred an event materially and adversely affecting the
              value of the Units.

       If you elect to terminate this Agreement other than the indemnification
       provisions of Section 11, the Managing General Partner shall be promptly
       notified by you by telephone, telecopier or telegram, confirmed by
       letter.

       The Managing General Partner may terminate this Agreement other than the
       indemnification provisions of Section 11 for any reason by promptly
       giving notice to you by telephone, telecopier or telegram, confirmed by
       letter as hereinafter specified at or prior to a closing date.

14.    NOTICES. All notices or communications hereunder, except as herein
       otherwise specifically provided, shall be in writing, and if sent to you
       shall be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to you at P.O.
       Box 926, 311 Rouser Road, Coraopolis, Pennsylvania 15108 or if sent to
       the Managing General Partner or on behalf of the Partnership, at 311
       Rouser Road, Moon Township, Pennsylvania 15108.

15.    FORMAT OF CHECKS/ESCROW AGENT. Pending receipt of the minimum Partnership
       Subscription, the Managing General Partner and you and the Selling Agents
       agree that all subscribers shall be instructed to make their checks,
       drafts, or money orders payable solely to "Atlas Public #8 Ltd., Escrow
       Agent, National City Bank of PA" as agent for the Partnership.

       If you receive a check, draft, or money order not conforming to the
       foregoing instructions you shall return such check, draft, or money order
       to the Selling Agent not later than  the end of the next business day
       following its receipt by you.  The Selling Agent shall then return such
       check, draft, or money order directly to the subscriber not later than
       the end of the next business day following its receipt from you.  Checks,
       drafts, or money orders received by you or a Selling Agent which conform
       to the foregoing instructions shall be transmitted by you pursuant to
       Section 16 "Transmittal Procedures," below.


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       You represent that you have executed the Escrow Agreement and agree that
       you are bound by the terms of the Escrow Agreement executed by you, the
       Partnership and the Managing General Partner, a copy of which is attached
       hereto as Exhibit "A".

16.    TRANSMITTAL PROCEDURES. You and each Selling Agent shall transmit
       received investor funds in accordance with the following procedures.  For
       purposes of the following, the term Selling Agent shall also include you
       as Dealer-Manager where you receive subscriptions from investors.

       (a)    Pending receipt of the minimum subscription of $1,000,000, the
              Selling Agents shall promptly, upon receipt of any and all checks,
              drafts, and money orders received from prospective purchasers of
              Units, transmit same together with the original executed
              Subscription Agreement to you, as Dealer-Manager by the end of the
              next business day following receipt of the check, draft, or money
              order by the Selling Agent.  By the end of the next business day
              following receipt of the check, draft, or money order and
              Subscription Agreement by you as Dealer-Manager, you as Dealer-
              Manager shall transmit the check, draft or money order and a copy
              of the executed Subscription Agreement to the Escrow Agent, and
              the original Subscription Agreement and a copy of the check, draft
              or money order to the Managing General Partner.

       (b)    Upon receipt by you as Dealer-Manager of notice from the Managing
              General Partner that the minimum Partnership Subscription has been
              received, the Managing General Partner, you and the Selling Agent
              agree that all subscribers thereafter may be instructed, in the
              Managing General Partner's sole discretion, to make their checks,
              drafts, or money orders payable solely to "Atlas Public #8 Ltd.".
              Thereafter, Selling Agents shall promptly, upon receipt of any and
              all checks, drafts, and money orders received from prospective
              purchasers of Units, transmit same together with the original
              Subscription Agreement to you as Dealer-Manager by the end of the
              next business day following receipt of the check, draft, or money
              order by the Selling Agent.  By the end of the next business day
              following receipt of the check, draft, or money order and
              Subscription Agreement by you as Dealer-Manager, you as Dealer-
              Manager shall transmit the check, draft or money order and the
              original Subscription Agreement to the Managing General Partner.

17.    PARTIES. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon
       you, the Managing General Partner, and any respective successors and
       assigns.  This Agreement shall also inure to the benefit of the
       indemnified parties, their successors and assigns. This Agreement is
       intended to be and is for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties
       hereto, including the Partnership, and their respective successors and
       assigns, and the indemnified parties and their successors and assigns,
       and for the benefit of no other person, and no other person shall have
       any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this
       Agreement. No purchaser of any of the Units from you shall be construed a
       successor or assign merely by reason of such purchase

18.    RELATIONSHIP. This Agreement shall not constitute you a partner of the
       Managing General Partner or the Partnership or any general partner
       thereof, nor render the Managing General Partner or the Partnership
       liable for any of your obligations except as otherwise provided herein.

19.    EFFECTIVE DATE. This Agreement is made effective between the parties as
       of the date accepted by you as indicated by your signature hereto.

20.    ENTIRE AGREEMENT WAIVER. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
       between the parties hereto and shall not be amended or modified in any
       way except by subsequent agreement executed in writing, and no party
       shall be liable or bound to the other by any agreement, except as
       specifically set forth herein. Any party hereto may waive, but only in
       writing, any term, condition, or requirement under this Agreement which
       is intended for its own benefit, and written waiver of any term or
       condition of this Agreement shall not operate as a waiver of any other
       breach of such term or condition, nor shall any failure to enforce any
       provision hereof operate as a waiver of such provision or any other
       provision hereof.


                                       9


If the foregoing correctly sets forth our understanding please so indicate in
the space provided below for the purpose whereupon this letter shall constitute
a binding agreement between us.

                                   Very truly yours,

                                   ATLAS RESOURCES, INC.,
                                   a Pennsylvania corporation

___________________, 1999          By: _______________________________________
       Date                            Tony C. Banks, Senior Vice President and
                                       Chief Financial Officer

ATTEST:

_______________________
(SEAL)        Secretary

                                   PARTNERSHIP

                                   ATLAS-ENERGY FOR THE NINETIES-PUBLIC #8 LTD.

                                   By: Atlas Resources, Inc.,
                                       Managing General Partner

___________________, 1999          By: _______________________________________
       Date                            Tony C. Banks, Senior Vice President and
                                       Chief Financial Officer

ATTEST:

_______________________
(SEAL)        Secretary

                                    DEALER-MANAGER

                                    ANTHEM SECURITIES, INC.,
                                    a Pennsylvania corporation

___________________, 1999           By: _______________________________________
       Date                             Eric D. Koval, President

ATTEST:

_______________________
(SEAL)        Secretary


                                       10


                                    EXHIBIT "A"

                    ATLAS-ENERGY FOR THE NINETIES-PUBLIC #8 LTD.

                                  ESCROW AGREEMENT

       THIS AGREEMENT, made to be effective as of the _____ day of _________,
1999, by and between Atlas Resources, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation (the
"Managing General Partner"), Anthem Securities, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation
("Anthem"), Bryan Funding, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation ("Bryan Funding"),
collectively Anthem and Bryan Funding are referred to as the "Dealer-Manager",
Atlas-Energy for the Nineties-Public #8 Ltd., a Pennsylvania limited partnership
(the "Partnership") and National City Bank of Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, as escrow agent (the "Escrow Agent").

                                    WITNESSETH:

       WHEREAS, the Partnership  intends to offer publicly for sale to qualified
investors (the "Investors") up to 1,800 limited partnership interests in the
Partnership (the "Units"); and

       WHEREAS, each Investor will be required to pay his subscription in
full upon subscribing ($10,000 per Unit, however, the Managing General
Partner, in its discretion, may accept one-half Unit [$5,000] subscriptions,
with larger subscriptions permitted in $1,000 increments), by check, draft or
money order except that the broker-dealers and the Managing General Partner,
its officers and directors and Affiliates, may purchase Units net of the
Dealer-Manager fee, the commissions and reimbursement of marketing expenses
and bona fide accountable due diligence expenses set forth below, and
registered investment advisors and their clients may purchase Units subject
to the Dealer-Manager fee but net of the commissions and reimbursement of
marketing expenses and bona fide accountable due diligence expenses set forth
below (the "Subscription Proceeds"); and

       WHEREAS, the Managing General Partner and Anthem have executed an
agreement ("Anthem Dealer-Manager Agreement") pursuant to which Anthem will
solicit subscriptions for Units in all states other than Minnesota and New
Hampshire on a "best efforts" "all or none" basis for $1,000,000 and on a "best
efforts" basis for the remaining Units on behalf of the Managing General Partner
and the Partnership and pursuant to which Anthem has been authorized to select
certain members in good standing of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") to participate in the offering of the Units ("Selling
Agents"); and

       WHEREAS, the Managing General Partner and Bryan Funding have executed an
agreement ("Bryan Funding Dealer-Manager Agreement") pursuant to which Bryan
Funding will solicit subscriptions for Units in the states of Minnesota and New
Hampshire on a "best efforts" "all or none" basis for $1,000,000 and on a "best
efforts" basis for the remaining Units on behalf of the Managing General Partner
and the Partnership and pursuant to which Bryan Funding has been authorized to
select certain members in good standing of the NASD to participate in the
offering of the Units ("Selling Agents"); and

       WHEREAS, the Anthem Dealer-Manager Agreement and the Bryan Funding
Dealer-Manager Agreement, collectively referred to as the "Dealer-Manager
Agreement", provide for compensation to the Dealer-Manager which includes, but
is not limited to: (i) a 2.5% Dealer-Manager fee; (ii) a 7.0% sales commission;
(iii) a .5% reimbursement of marketing expenses; and (iv) reimbursement of the
Selling Agents' bona fide accountable due diligence expenses of .5% per Unit to
participate in the offering of the Units, all or a portion of which compensation
will be reallowed to the Selling Agents and wholesalers; and


                                       1


       WHEREAS, under the terms of the Dealer-Manager Agreement the Subscription
Proceeds are required to be held in escrow subject to the receipt and acceptance
by the Managing General Partner of the minimum Subscription Proceeds of
$1,000,000, excluding any optional subscription by the Managing General Partner,
its officers, directors and Affiliates; and

       WHEREAS, no subscriptions to the Partnership will be accepted after
receipt of the maximum Subscription Proceeds of $18,000,000 or December 31,
1999, whichever event occurs first (the "Offering Termination Date"); and

       WHEREAS, to facilitate compliance with the terms of the Dealer-Manager
Agreement, the Managing General Partner and the Dealer-Manager desire to have
the Subscription Proceeds deposited with the Escrow Agent and the Escrow Agent
desires to hold the Subscription Proceeds pursuant to the terms and conditions
set forth herein;

       NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and conditions
herein contained, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby
agree as follows:

1.     APPOINTMENT OF ESCROW AGENT.  The Managing General Partner, the
       Partnership and the Dealer-Manager hereby appoint Escrow Agent as the
       escrow agent to receive and to hold the Subscription Proceeds deposited
       with Escrow Agent by the Dealer-Manager and the Selling Agents pursuant
       hereto and Escrow Agent hereby agrees to serve in such capacity during
       the term and based upon the provisions hereof.

2.     DEPOSIT OF SUBSCRIPTION PROCEEDS. Pending receipt of the minimum
       Subscription Proceeds of $1,000,000, the Dealer-Manager shall deposit the
       Subscription Proceeds of each Investor with the Escrow Agent and shall
       deliver to the Escrow Agent a copy of the Subscription Agreement of such
       Investor. Payment for each subscription for Units shall be in the form of
       a check made payable to "Atlas Public #8 Ltd., Escrow Agent, National
       City Bank of PA". The Escrow Agent shall deliver a receipt to Anthem and
       the Managing General Partner for each deposit of Subscription Proceeds
       made pursuant hereto by Anthem, and to Bryan Funding and the Managing
       General Partner for each deposit of subscription proceeds made pursuant
       hereto by Bryan Funding.

3.     INVESTMENT OF SUBSCRIPTION PROCEEDS. The Subscription Proceeds shall be
       deposited in an interest bearing account maintained by the Escrow Agent
       entitled "Armada Government Fund." Subscription Proceeds may be
       temporarily invested by the Escrow Agent only in income producing
       short-term, highly liquid investments secured by the United States
       government where there is appropriate safety of principal, such as U.S.
       Treasury Bills. The interest earned shall be added to the Subscription
       Proceeds and disbursed in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 4
       or 5, as the case may be.

4.     DISTRIBUTION OF SUBSCRIPTION PROCEEDS. If the Escrow Agent:

       (a)    receives written notice from an authorized officer of the Managing
              General Partner that at least the minimum aggregate subscriptions
              of $1,000,000 have been received and accepted by the Managing
              General Partner; and

       (b)    determines that Subscription Proceeds for at least $1,000,000 as
              determined by the Managing General Partner have cleared the
              banking system and are good;


                                       2


       the Escrow Agent shall promptly release and distribute to the Managing
       General Partner such escrowed Subscription Proceeds which have cleared
       the banking system and are good plus any interest paid and investment
       income earned on such Subscription Proceeds while held by the Escrow
       Agent in an escrow account.

       Any remaining Subscription Proceeds, plus any interest paid and
       investment income earned on such Subscription Proceeds while held by the
       Escrow Agent in an escrow account shall be promptly released and
       distributed to the Managing General Partner by the Escrow Agent as such
       Subscription Proceeds clear the banking system and become good.

5.     SEPARATE PARTNERSHIP ACCOUNT.  During the continuation of the offering
       after the Partnership is funded with cleared Subscription Proceeds of at
       least $1,000,000 and the Escrow Agent receives the notice described in
       Paragraph 4 of this Agreement, and prior to the Offering Termination
       Date, any additional Subscription Proceeds may be deposited by the
       Dealer-Manager directly in a separate Partnership account which shall not
       be subject to the terms of this Agreement.

6.     DISTRIBUTIONS TO SUBSCRIBERS.

       (a)    In the event that the Partnership will not be funded as
              contemplated because less than the minimum aggregate subscriptions
              of $1,000,000 have been received and accepted by the Managing
              General Partner by twelve p.m. (noon), local time, on December 31,
              1999, or for any other reason, the Managing General Partner shall
              so notify the Escrow Agent, whereupon the Escrow Agent promptly
              shall distribute to each Investor a refund check made payable to
              such Investor in an amount equal to the Subscription Proceeds of
              such Investor, plus any interest paid or investment income earned
              thereon while held by the Escrow Agent in an escrow account as
              calculated by the Managing General Partner.

       (b)    In the event that a subscription for Units submitted by an
              Investor is rejected by the Managing General Partner for any
              reason after the Subscription Proceeds relating to such
              subscription have been deposited with the Escrow Agent, then the
              Managing General Partner promptly shall notify the Escrow Agent of
              such rejection, and the Escrow Agent shall promptly distribute to
              such Investor a refund check made payable to such Investor in an
              amount equal to the Subscription Proceeds of such Investor, plus
              any interest paid or investment income earned thereon while held
              by the Escrow Agent in an escrow account as calculated by the
              Managing General Partner.

7.     COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES OF ESCROW AGENT.  The Managing General Partner
       shall be solely responsible for and shall pay the compensation of the
       Escrow Agent for its services hereunder, as provided in Appendix 1 to
       this Agreement and made a part hereof, and the charges, expenses
       (including any reasonable attorneys' fees), and other out-of-pocket
       expenses incurred by the Escrow Agent in connection with the
       administration of the provisions of this Agreement. The Escrow Agent
       shall have no lien on the Subscription Proceeds deposited in an escrow
       account unless and until the Partnership is funded with cleared
       Subscription Proceeds of at least $1,000,000 and the Escrow Agent
       receives the notice described in Paragraph 4 of this Agreement, at which
       time the Escrow Agent shall have, and is hereby granted, a prior lien
       upon any property, cash, or assets held hereunder, with respect to its
       unpaid compensation and nonreimbursed expenses, superior to the interests
       of any other persons or entities.

8.     DUTIES OF ESCROW AGENT. The Escrow Agent shall not be obligated to accept
       any notice, make any delivery, or take any other action under this Escrow
       Agreement unless the notice or request or demand for delivery or other
       action is in writing and given or made by the party given the right or
       charged with


                                       3


       the obligation under this Escrow Agreement to give the notice or to make
       the request or demand. In no event shall the Escrow Agent be obligated to
       accept any notice, request, or demand from anyone other than the Managing
       General Partner or the Dealer-Manager.

9.     LIABILITY OF ESCROW AGENT. The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any
       damages, or have any obligations other than the duties prescribed herein
       in carrying out or executing the purposes and intent of this Escrow
       Agreement; provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall relieve
       the Escrow Agent from liability arising out of its own willful misconduct
       or gross negligence. Escrow Agent's duties and obligations under this
       Agreement shall be entirely administrative and not discretionary. Escrow
       Agent shall not be liable to any party hereto or to any third party as a
       result of any action or omission taken or made by Escrow Agent in good
       faith. The parties to this Agreement will indemnify Escrow Agent, hold
       Escrow Agent harmless, and reimburse Escrow Agent from, against and for,
       any and all liabilities, costs, fees and expenses (including reasonable
       attorney's fees) Escrow Agent may suffer or incur by reason of its
       execution and performance of this Agreement. In the event any legal
       questions arise concerning Escrow Agent's duties and obligations
       hereunder, Escrow Agent may consult with its counsel and rely without
       liability upon written opinions given to it by such counsel.

       The Escrow Agent shall be protected in acting upon any written notice,
       request, waiver, consent, authorization, or other paper or document which
       the Escrow Agent, in good faith, believes to be genuine and what it
       purports to be.

       In the event that there shall be any disagreement between any of the
       parties to this Agreement, or between them or any of them and any other
       person, resulting in adverse claims or demands being made in connection
       with this Agreement, or in the event that Escrow Agent, in good faith,
       shall be in doubt as to what action it should take hereunder, Escrow
       Agent may, at its option, refuse to comply with any claims or demands on
       it or refuse to take any other action hereunder, so long as such
       disagreement continues or such doubt exists.  In any such event, Escrow
       Agent shall not be or become liable in any way or to any person for its
       failure or refusal to act and Escrow Agent shall be entitled to continue
       to so refrain from acting until the dispute is resolved by the parties
       involved.

       National City Bank of Pennsylvania is acting solely as Escrow Agent and
       is not a party to, nor has it reviewed or approved any agreement or
       matter of background related to this Agreement, other than this Agreement
       itself, and has assumed, without investigation, the authority of the
       individuals executing this Agreement to be so authorized on behalf of the
       party or parties involved.

10.    RESIGNATION OR REMOVAL OF ESCROW AGENT.  The Escrow Agent may resign as
       such following the giving of thirty days' prior written notice to the
       other parties hereto. Similarly, the Escrow Agent may be removed and
       replaced following the giving of thirty days' prior written notice to the
       Escrow Agent by the other parties hereto.

       In either event, the duties of the Escrow Agent shall terminate thirty
       days after the date of such notice (or as of such earlier date as may be
       mutually agreeable); and the Escrow Agent shall then deliver the balance
       of the Subscription Proceeds (and any interest paid or investment income
       earned thereon while held by the Escrow Agent in an escrow account) in
       its possession to a successor escrow agent as shall be appointed by the
       other parties hereto as evidenced by a written notice filed with the
       Escrow Agent.  If the other parties hereto are unable to agree upon a
       successor or shall have failed to appoint a successor prior to the
       expiration of thirty days following the date of the notice of resignation
       or removal, the then acting Escrow Agent may petition any court of
       competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor escrow agent or
       other appropriate relief; and any such resulting appointment shall be
       binding upon all of the parties hereto.

       Upon acknowledgment by any successor escrow agent of the receipt of the
       then remaining balance of the Subscription Proceeds (and any interest
       paid or investment income earned thereon while held by the Escrow Agent
       in an escrow account), the then acting Escrow Agent shall be fully
       released and relieved of all duties, responsibilities, and obligations
       under this Agreement.


                                       4


11.    TERMINATION. This Agreement shall terminate and the Escrow Agent shall
       have no further obligation with respect hereto upon the occurrence of the
       distribution of all Subscription Proceeds (and any interest paid or
       investment income earned thereon while held by the Escrow Agent in an
       escrow account) as contemplated hereby or upon the written consent of all
       the parties hereto.

12.    NOTICE.  Any notices or instructions, or both, to be given hereunder
       shall be validly given if set forth in writing and mailed by certified
       mail, return receipt requested, as follows:

       IF TO THE ESCROW AGENT:

              National City Bank of Pennsylvania
              Attention:  Mr. Robert Mialki, Vice President
                          Corporate Trust Department
                          300 Fourth Avenue
                          Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15278-2331

              Phone: (412) 644-8401
              Facsimile: (412) 644-7971

       IF TO THE MANAGING GENERAL PARTNER:

              Atlas Resources, Inc.
              311 Rouser Road
              P.O. Box 611
              Moon Township, Pennsylvania 15108

              Attention:  Tony C. Banks

              Phone: (412) 262-2830
              Facsimile: (412) 262-2820

       IF TO ANTHEM:

              Anthem Securities, Inc.
              311 Rouser Road
              P.O. Box 926
              Coraopolis, Pennsylvania 15108

              Attention:  Eric D. Koval

              Phone: (412) 262-1680
              Facsimile: (412) 262-7430

       IF TO BRYAN FUNDING:

              Bryan Funding, Inc.
              393 Vanadium Road
              Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15243

              Attention:  Richard G. Bryan, Jr.

              Phone: (412) 276-9393
              Facsimile: (412) 276-9396


                                       5


       Any party may designate any other address to which notices and
instructions shall be sent by notice duly given in accordance herewith.

13.    MISCELLANEOUS.

       (a)    This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
              with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

       (b)    This Agreement is binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of
              the undersigned and their respective heirs, successors and
              assigns.

       (c)    This Agreement may be executed in multiple copies, each executed
              copy to serve as an original.


       IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement to be
effective as of the day and year first above written.

                                   NATIONAL CITY BANK OF PENNSYLVANIA
ATTEST:                            As Escrow Agent

By:___________________________     By:_____________________________
   (Authorized Officer)               (Authorized Officer)



                                   ATLAS RESOURCES, INC.
ATTEST:                            A Pennsylvania corporation

By:___________________________     By:_____________________________
   Secretary                          Tony C. Banks, Senior Vice President
                                      and Chief Financial Officer



                                   ANTHEM SECURITIES, INC.
ATTEST:                            A Pennsylvania corporation

By:___________________________     By:_____________________________
   Secretary                          Eric D. Koval, President



                                   BRYAN FUNDING, INC.
ATTEST:                            A Pennsylvania corporation

By:___________________________     By:_____________________________
   Secretary                          Richard G. Bryan, Jr., President



                                   ATLAS-ENERGY FOR THE NINETIES-PUBLIC #8 LTD.

                                   By:    ATLAS RESOURCES, INC.
ATTEST:                                   Managing General Partner

By:___________________________     By:_____________________________
   Secretary                          Tony C. Banks, Senior Vice President
                                      and Chief Financial Officer


                                       6


                           APPENDIX I TO ESCROW AGREEMENT

                     COMPENSATION FOR SERVICES OF ESCROW AGENT


Escrow Agent annual fee per year or any part thereof                  $3,000.00


                                       7


                                    EXHIBIT "B"

                              SELLING AGENT AGREEMENT
                            WITH ANTHEM SECURITIES, INC.


TO: _____________________________________


       RE:    ATLAS-ENERGY FOR THE NINETIES-PUBLIC #8 LTD.


Gentlemen:

    Atlas Resources, Inc. ("Atlas"), is the Managing General Partner in a
Pennsylvania limited partnership named Atlas-Energy for the Nineties-Public #8
Ltd. (the "Partnership").  The Units of Participation (the "Units") and the
offering are described in the enclosed Prospectus dated _________, 1999 (the
"Prospectus"). Prospectuses relating to the Units have been furnished to you
with this Agreement.

    Our firm, Anthem Securities, Inc. (the "Dealer-Manager"), has entered into a
Dealer-Manager Agreement for sales in all states other than Minnesota and New
Hampshire, a copy of which has been furnished to you and is incorporated herein
by reference, with the Managing General Partner and the Partnership under which
the Dealer-Manager has agreed to form a group of National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") member firms (the "Selling Agents"), who
will obtain subscriptions to the Partnership in all states other than Minnesota
and New Hampshire on a "best efforts" basis pursuant to the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Act"), and the provisions of the Prospectus.

    You are invited to become one of the Selling Agents, on a non-exclusive
basis.  By your acceptance below you will have agreed to act in that capacity
and to use your best efforts, in accordance with the following terms and
conditions, to solicit such subscriptions in all states other than Minnesota and
New Hampshire.  This Agreement, however, shall not be construed to prohibit your
participation as a selling agent in Minnesota and New Hampshire pursuant to a
duly executed selling agent agreement entered into by you and any other
authorized "Dealer-Manager" for the Partnership.

1.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLING AGENT.  You, as a Selling Agent,
     represent and warrant to the Dealer-Manager that:

     (a)  You are a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
          standing under the laws of the state of your formation or of any
          jurisdiction to the laws of which you are subject, with all requisite
          power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out your
          obligations hereunder.

     (b)  This Agreement when accepted and approved will be duly authorized,
          executed and delivered by you and will be a valid and binding
          agreement on your part in accordance with its terms.

     (c)  The consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
          and the Prospectus will not result in any breach of any of the terms
          or conditions of, or constitute a default under your Articles of
          Incorporation, Bylaws, any indenture, agreement or other instrument to
          which you are a party, or violate any order applicable to you of any
          court or any federal or state regulatory body or administrative agency
          having jurisdiction over you or over your affiliates.

     (d)  You are duly registered pursuant to the provisions of the Securities
          Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Act of 1934") as a dealer and you are a
          member in good standing of the NASD.  You are duly registered as a
          broker-dealer in the states in which you are required to be registered
          in order to


                                       1


          carry out your obligations as contemplated by this Agreement and the
          Prospectus. You agree to maintain all the foregoing registrations in
          good standing throughout the term of the offer and sale of the Units
          and you agree to comply with all statutes and other requirements
          applicable to you as a broker-dealer pursuant to those registrations.

     (e)  Pursuant to your appointment as a Selling Agent, you shall comply with
          all the provisions of the Act, insofar as the Act applies to your
          activities hereunder.  Further, you shall not engage in any activity
          which would cause the offer and/or sale of Units not to comply with
          the Act, the Act of 1934 and the applicable rules and regulations of
          the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), the
          applicable state securities laws and regulations, this Agreement and
          the NASD Conduct Rules including Rules 2730, 2740, 2420, 2750, and
          Rules 2810(b)(2) and (b)(3), which provide as follows:


          Sec. (b)(2)
          SUITABILITY

          (A)  A member or person associated with a member shall not underwrite
               or participate in a public offering of a direct participation
               program unless standards of suitability have been established by
               the program for participants therein and such standards are fully
               disclosed in the prospectus and are consistent with the
               provisions of subparagraph (B) of this section.

          (B)  In recommending to a participant the purchase, sale or exchange
               of an interest in a direct participation program, a member or
               person associated with a member shall:

               (i)    have reasonable grounds to believe, on the basis of
                      information obtained from the participant concerning his
                      investment objectives, other investments, financial
                      situation and needs, and any other information known by
                      the member or associated person, that:

                      (a)     the participant is or will be in a financial
                              position appropriate to enable him to realize to a
                              significant extent the benefits described in the
                              prospectus, including the tax benefits where they
                              are a significant aspect of the program;

                      (b)     the participant has a fair market net worth
                              sufficient to sustain the risks inherent in the
                              program, including loss of investment and lack of
                              liquidity; and

                      (c)     the program is otherwise suitable for the
                              participant; and

               (ii)   maintain in the files of the member documents disclosing
                      the basis upon which the determination of suitability was
                      reached as to each participant.

          (C)  Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraphs (A) and (B)
               hereof, no member shall execute any transaction in a direct
               participation program in a discretionary account without prior
               written approval of the transaction by the customer.

        Sec. (b)(3)
        DISCLOSURE

          (A)  Prior to participating in a public offering of a direct
               participation program, a member or person associated with a
               member shall have reasonable grounds to believe, based on
               information made available to him by the sponsor through a


                                       2


               prospectus or other materials, that all material facts are
               adequately and accurately disclosed and provide a basis for
               evaluating the program.

          (B)  In determining the adequacy of disclosed facts pursuant to
               subparagraph (A) hereof, a member or person associated with a
               member shall obtain information on material facts relating at a
               minimum to the following, if relevant in view of the nature of
               the program:

               (i)    items of compensation;

               (ii)   physical properties;

               (iii)  tax aspects;

               (iv)   financial stability and experience of the sponsor;

               (v)    the program's conflicts and risk factors; and

               (vi)   appraisals and other pertinent reports.

          (C)  For purposes of subparagraphs (A) and (B) hereof, a member or
               person associated with a member may rely upon the results of an
               inquiry conducted by another member or members, provided that:

               (i)    the member or person associated with a member has
                      reasonable grounds to believe that such inquiry was
                      conducted with due care;

               (ii)   the results of the inquiry were provided to the member or
                      person associated with a member with the consent of the
                      member or members conducting or directing the inquiry;
                      and

               (iii)  no member that participated in the inquiry is a sponsor
                      of the program or an affiliate of such sponsor.

          (D)  Prior to executing a purchase transaction in a direct
               participation program, a member or person associated with a
               member shall inform the prospective participant of all pertinent
               facts relating to the liquidity and marketability of the program
               during the term of investment.

     (f)  You have received copies of the Prospectus relating to the Units and
          you have relied only on the statements contained in the Prospectus and
          not on any other statements whatsoever, either written or oral, with
          respect to the details of the offering of Units.

     (g)  You agree that you shall not place any advertisement or other
          solicitation with respect to the Units (including without limitation
          any material for use in any newspaper, magazine, radio or television
          commercial, telephone recording, motion picture, or other public
          media) without the prior written approval of the Managing General
          Partner, and without the prior written approval of the form and
          content thereof by the Commission, the NASD and the securities
          authorities of the states where such advertisement or solicitation is
          to be circulated. Any such advertisements or solicitations shall be at
          your expense.

     (h)  If a supplement or amendment to the Prospectus is prepared and
          delivered to you by the Managing General Partner or the
          Dealer-Manager, you agree to distribute each such supplement or
          amendment to the Prospectus to every person who has previously
          received a copy of the Prospectus from you and you further agree to
          include such supplement or amendment in all future deliveries of any
          Prospectus.


                                       3


     (i)  In connection with any offer or sale of the Units, you agree to comply
          in all respects with statements set forth in the Prospectus and the
          Partnership Agreement and you agree not to make any statement
          inconsistent with the statements in the Prospectus or the Partnership
          Agreement and you further agree that you shall not provide any written
          information, statements or sales literature other than the Prospectus,
          the Managing General Partner's corporate profile and a brochure
          entitled "Atlas-Energy for the Nineties-Public #8 Ltd." (the corporate
          profile and the brochure collectively referred to herein as the
          "Brochure"), and any supplements or amendments thereto unless approved
          in writing by the Managing General Partner.  Further, you agree not to
          make any untrue or misleading statements of a material fact in
          connection with the Units.

     (j)  You agree to use your best efforts in the solicitation and sale of
          said Units, including insuring that the prospective purchasers meet
          the suitability requirements set forth in the Prospectus and the
          Subscription Agreement and properly execute the Subscription
          Agreement, which has been provided as Exhibit (I-B) to the Partnership
          Agreement, Exhibit (A) to the Prospectus, together with any additional
          forms provided in any supplement or amendment to the Prospectus, or
          otherwise provided to you by the Managing General Partner or the
          Dealer-Manager to be completed by prospective purchasers.

          The Managing General Partner shall have the right to reject any
          subscription at any time for any reason without liability to it.
          Investor funds and executed Subscription Agreements shall be
          transmitted as set forth in Section 11.

     (k)  You shall comply with the requirements of Rules 2810(b)(2)(B) and
          (b)(3)(D) of the NASD Conduct Rules.

2.   COMMISSIONS.

     (a)  Subject to the receipt of the minimum required Partnership
          Subscription of $1,000,000, the Dealer-Manager is entitled to receive
          from the Partnership a 7.0% Sales Commission, a .5% reimbursement of
          marketing expenses and a .5% reimbursement of the Selling Agents'
          bona fide accountable due diligence expenses based on the aggregate
          amount of all Unit subscriptions to the Partnership secured by the
          Dealer-Manager or the selling group formed by the Dealer-Manager and
          accepted by the Managing General Partner.

          Subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, including the
          Dealer-Manager's receipt from you of the documentation required of you
          in Section 1 of this Agreement, the Dealer-Manager agrees to pay you a
          7.0% cash commission, a .5% reimbursement of marketing expenses and a
          .5% reimbursement of your bona fide accountable due diligence
          expenses, of subscriptions sold by you and accepted by the Managing
          General Partner, within seven business days after the Dealer-Manager
          has received the commissions and reimbursements on such subscriptions.

          The Dealer-Manager is entitled to receive its commissions and
          reimbursements within five business days after at least the minimum
          Partnership Subscription ($1,000,000) has been received and accepted
          by the Managing General Partner and the subscription proceeds have
          been released to the Managing General Partner from the escrow account,
          and approximately every two weeks thereafter until the Offering
          Termination Date, which is December 31, 1999, or when the maximum
          Partnership Subscription of $18,000,000 is received if earlier.  The
          balance will be paid to the Dealer-Manager within 14 business days
          after the Offering Termination Date.

     (b)  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, you agree to waive
          payment of your commissions and reimbursements as set forth above in
          (a) until the Dealer-Manager is in receipt of the related amounts owed
          to it pursuant to the Dealer-Manager Agreement, and the
          Dealer-Manager's liability for such amounts hereunder is limited
          solely to the proceeds of the related amounts owed to it pursuant to
          the Dealer-Manager Agreement.

                                       4


     (c)  The Partnership will not commence operations unless subscriptions for
          at least $1,000,000 have been secured by December 31, 1999.  If this
          amount is not secured, nothing will be payable to you and all funds
          advanced by purchasers will be returned to them with interest earned,
          if any.

     (d)  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Registered Investment Advisors and
          their clients may subscribe to Units without paying the Sales
          Commissions and reimbursement of marketing expenses and bona fide
          accountable due diligence expenses, and their Agreed Subscriptions
          will be subject only to the 2.5% Dealer-Manager fee.

          Also, the Managing General Partner, its officers and directors and
          Affiliates, and the Selling Agents may subscribe to Units without
          paying the Dealer-Manager fee, Sales Commissions and the reimbursement
          of marketing expenses and the Selling Agents' bona fide accountable
          due diligence expenses.

3.   STATE SECURITIES REGISTRATION.  The Managing General Partner may elect not
     to qualify or register Units in any state in which it deems such
     qualification or registration is not warranted for any reason in its sole
     discretion. Upon application to the Dealer-Manager you will be informed as
     to the jurisdictions in which the Units have been qualified for sale or are
     exempt under the respective securities or "Blue Sky" laws of such
     jurisdictions.

     Notwithstanding, the Dealer-Manager, the Partnership and the Managing
     General Partner have not assumed and will not assume any obligation or
     responsibility as to your right to act as a broker-dealer with respect to
     the Units in any such jurisdiction.

4.   EXPENSE OF SALE. The expenses in connection with the offer and sale of the
     Units shall be payable as set forth below.

     (a)  The Dealer-Manager shall pay all expenses incident to the performance
          of its obligations hereunder, including the fees and expenses of its
          attorneys and accountants, even if this offering is not successfully
          completed.

     (b)  You shall pay all expenses incident to the performance of your
          obligations hereunder, including the fees and expenses of your own
          counsel and accountants, even if this offering is not successfully
          completed.

5.   CONDITIONS OF YOUR DUTIES.  Your obligations provided herein, as of the
     date hereof and at the applicable closing date, shall be subject to the
     performance by the Dealer-Manager of its obligations hereunder and to the
     performance by the Managing General Partner of its obligations under the
     Dealer-Manager Agreement.

6.   CONDITIONS OF DEALER-MANAGER'S DUTIES.  The Dealer-Manager's obligations
     provided herein, including the duty to pay compensation as set forth in
     Section 2 hereof, shall be subject to the accuracy, as of the date hereof
     and at the applicable closing date (as if made at the applicable closing
     date) of your representations and warranties made herein, and to the
     performance by you of your obligations hereunder, and to the additional
     condition that the Dealer-Manager shall have received, at or prior to the
     applicable closing date, the following documents:

     (a)  a fully executed Subscription Agreement for each prospective
          purchaser;

     (b)  certification to the Dealer-Manager that you are registered as
          required by Section 1(d) and that such registrations were, during the
          term of the offering and through the applicable closing date, in full
          force and effect; and

     (c)  a certificate from you, dated at the applicable closing date, to the
          effect that your representations and warranties made herein are true
          and correct as if made at the applicable closing date and that you
          have fulfilled all your obligations hereunder.


                                       5


7.   INDEMNIFICATION.

     (a)  You shall indemnify and hold harmless the Dealer-Manager, the Managing
          General Partner, the Partnership and its attorneys, against any
          losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which
          such parties may become subject, under the Act, the Act of 1934 or
          otherwise insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
          actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon your breach
          of any of your duties and obligations, representations, or warranties
          under the terms or provisions of this Agreement and you shall
          reimburse such parties for any legal or other expenses reasonably
          incurred in connection with investigating or defending any such loss,
          claim, damage, liability or action.

     (b)  The Dealer-Manager shall indemnify and hold you harmless against any
          losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which you
          may become subject, under the Act, the Act of 1934 or otherwise
          insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in
          respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon the Dealer-Manager's
          breach of any of its duties and obligations, representations, or
          warranties under the terms or provisions of this Agreement and the
          Dealer-Manager shall reimburse you for any legal or other expenses
          reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending such
          loss, claim, damage, liability or action.

     (c)  The foregoing indemnity agreements shall extend upon the same terms
          and conditions to, and shall inure to the benefit of, each person, if
          any, who controls each indemnified party within the meaning of the
          Act.

     (d)  Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party of notice of the
          commencement of any action, such indemnified party shall, if a claim
          in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under
          this Section, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the
          commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the indemnifying
          party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any
          indemnified party.  If any such action shall be brought against such
          indemnified party, it shall notify the indemnifying party of the
          commencement thereof, and the indemnifying party shall be entitled to
          participate in, and, to the extent that it shall wish, jointly with
          any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense
          thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such indemnified and
          indemnifying parties.  After the indemnified party shall have received
          notice from the agreed upon counsel that the defense under this
          paragraph has been so assumed, the indemnifying party shall not be
          responsible for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by
          such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof other
          than with respect to the agreed upon counsel who assumed the defense
          thereof.

8.   REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS TO SURVIVE DELIVERY. All representations,
     warranties and agreements of the Dealer-Manager and you herein or in
     certificates delivered pursuant hereto, and the indemnity agreements
     contained in Section 7 hereof, shall survive the delivery, execution and
     closing hereof, and shall remain operative and in full force and effect
     regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of you or any person
     who controls you within the meaning of the Act, or by the Dealer-Manager,
     or any of its officers, directors or any person who controls the
     Dealer-Manager within the meaning of the Act, or any other indemnified
     party, and shall survive delivery of the Units hereunder.

9.   TERMINATION. You shall have the right to terminate this Agreement, other
     than the indemnification provisions of Section 7, by giving notice as
     hereinafter specified any time at or prior to a closing date:

          (a)  if the Dealer-Manager shall have failed, refused, or been unable
               at or prior to the closing date, to perform any of its
               obligations hereunder; or

          (b)  there has occurred an event materially and adversely affecting
               the value of the Units.


                                       6


     If you elect to terminate this Agreement, other than the indemnification
     provisions of Section 7, the Dealer-Manager shall be promptly notified by
     you by telephone, telecopier, facsimile, or telegram, confirmed by letter.

     The Dealer-Manager may terminate this Agreement, other than the
     indemnification provisions of Section 7, for any reason and at any time by
     promptly giving notice to you by telephone, telecopier or telegram,
     confirmed by letter.

10.  FORMAT OF CHECKS/ESCROW AGENT. Pending receipt of the minimum Partnership
     Subscription of  $1,000,000 (100 Units), the Dealer-Manager and you agree
     that all subscribers shall be instructed to make their checks, drafts, or
     money orders payable solely to "Atlas Public #8 Ltd., Escrow Agent,
     National City Bank of PA" as agent for the Partnership.

     If you receive a check, draft, or money order not conforming to the
     foregoing instructions you shall return such check, draft, or money order
     directly to the subscriber not later than the end of the next business day
     following its receipt from the subscriber.  If the Dealer-Manager receives
     a check, draft, or money order not conforming to the foregoing instructions
     the Dealer-Manager shall return such check, draft, or money order to you
     not later than the end of the next business day following its receipt by
     the Dealer-Manager and you shall then return such check, draft, or money
     order directly to the subscriber not later than the end of the next
     business day following its receipt from the Dealer-Manager. Checks, drafts,
     or money orders received by you which conform to the foregoing instructions
     shall be transmitted by you pursuant to Section 11 "Transmittal
     Procedures," below.

     You agree that you are bound by the terms of the Escrow Agreement, a copy
     of which is attached to the Dealer-Manager Agreement as Exhibit "A."

11.  TRANSMITTAL PROCEDURES. You shall transmit received investor funds in
     accordance with the following procedures.

     (a)  Pending receipt of the minimum Partnership Subscription of $1,000,000,
          you shall promptly, upon receipt of any and all checks, drafts, and
          money orders received from prospective purchasers of Units, transmit
          same together with the original executed Subscription Agreement to the
          Dealer-Manager by the end of the next business day following receipt
          of the check, draft, or money order by you.  By the end of the next
          business day following receipt of the check, draft, or money order and
          Subscription Agreement by the Dealer-Manager, the Dealer-Manager shall
          transmit the check, draft, or money order and a copy of the executed
          Subscription Agreement to the Escrow Agent, and the original
          Subscription Agreement and a copy of the check, draft, or money order
          to the Managing General Partner.

     (b)  Upon receipt by you of notice from the Managing General Partner or the
          Dealer-Manager that the minimum Partnership Subscription has been
          received, you agree that all subscribers thereafter may be instructed,
          in the Managing General Partner's sole discretion, to make their
          checks, drafts, or money orders payable solely to "Atlas Public #8
          Ltd.". Thereafter, you shall promptly, upon receipt of any and all
          checks, drafts, and money orders received from prospective purchasers
          of Units, transmit same together with the original Subscription
          Agreement to the Dealer-Manager by the end of the next business day
          following receipt of the check, draft, or money order by you.  By the
          end of the next business day following receipt of the check, draft, or
          money order and subscription documents by the Dealer-Manager, the
          Dealer-Manager shall transmit the check, draft, or money order and the
          original Subscription Agreement to the Managing General Partner.

12.  PARTIES. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon
     you, the Dealer-Manager, and any respective successors and assigns.  This
     Agreement shall also inure to the benefit of the indemnified parties, their
     successors and assigns. This Agreement is intended to be and is for the
     sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto, and their respective
     successors and assigns, and the indemnified parties and their successors
     and assigns, and for the benefit of no other person.  No other person shall
     have any legal


                                       7


     or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement.
     No purchaser of any of the Units from you shall be construed a successor
     or assign merely by reason of such purchase.

13.  RELATIONSHIP. You are not authorized to hold yourself out as agent of the
     Dealer-Manager, the Managing General Partner, the Partnership or of any
     other Selling Agent, nor shall this Agreement constitute you a partner of
     the Managing General Partner, the Dealer-Manager, the Partnership or of any
     other Selling Agent, or render the Managing General Partner, the
     Dealer-Manager, the Partnership or any general partner thereof, or any
     other Selling Agent liable for any of your obligations.

14.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Agreement is made effective between the parties as of
     the date accepted by you as indicated by your signature hereto.

15.  ENTIRE AGREEMENT, WAIVER.  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
     between the parties hereto and shall not be amended or modified in any way
     except by subsequent agreement executed in writing, and no party shall be
     liable or bound to the other by any agreement, except as specifically set
     forth herein. Any party hereto may waive, but only in writing, any term,
     condition, or requirement under this Agreement which is intended for its
     own benefit, and written waiver of any term or condition of this Agreement
     shall not operate as a waiver of any other breach of such term or
     condition, nor shall any failure to enforce any provision hereof operate as
     a waiver of such provision or any other provision hereof.

16.  NOTICES.  Any communications from you shall be in writing addressed to the
     Dealer-Manager at P.O. Box 926, Coraopolis, Pennsylvania 15108-0926.  Any
     notice from the Dealer-Manager to you shall be deemed to have been duly
     given if mailed, faxed or telegraphed to you at your address shown below.

17.  ACCEPTANCE.  Please confirm your agreement to become a Selling Agent under
     the terms and conditions set forth above by signing and returning the
     enclosed duplicate copy of this Agreement to us at the address set forth
     above.

                                       Sincerely,

_______________________ , 1999         ANTHEM SECURITIES, INC.

ATTEST:


_______________________________        By: ____________________________________
(SEAL)                Secretary        Eric D. Koval, President


                                       8


ACCEPTANCE:

     We accept your invitation to become a Selling Agent under all the terms and
conditions stated in the above Agreement and confirm that all the statements set
forth in the above Agreement are true and correct.  We hereby acknowledge
receipt of the Prospectuses and Brochures and a copy of the Dealer-Manager
Agreement referred to above.


_______________________ , 1999         _______________________________________,
                                       a(n) ______________________ corporation,


ATTEST:

______________________________         By: ____________________________________
(SEAL)               Secretary             ______________________, President



                                       ________________________________________
                                       (Address)

                                       ________________________________________
                                       ________________________________________


                                       9