
<PAGE>   1
                                                                   Exhibit 10.34

                                                                       EXECUTION
                                                                            COPY


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                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                  BY AND AMONG

                                AMERIPATH, INC.,

                             J. SLOAN LEONARD, M.D.,

                            JOSEPH A. SONNIER, M.D.,

                              VAN Q. TELFORD, M.D.,

                            WILLIAM C. BURTON, M.D.,

                           JAMES SCOT MILVENAN, M.D.,

                            LESLIE L. WALTERS, M.D.,

                             THOMAS M. JAMES, M.D.,

                            STEPHEN W. ALDRED, M.D.,

                             JOHN E. MCDONALD, M.D.

                                       AND

                             BARBARA A. SHINN, M.D.

                           DATED AS OF AUGUST 21, 1997


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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                        Page No.

                                    ARTICLE I

                                PURCHASE OF STOCK

 1.1   Purchase and Sale of Capital Stock....................................  2
 1.2   Purchase Price........................................................  2
 1.3   338(h)(10) Election...................................................  3
 1.4   The Contingent Notes..................................................  3
 1.5   AmeriPath Stock....................................................... 10

                                   ARTICLE II

                  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLERS

 2.1   Corporate Organization, Qualification, etc............................ 12
 2.2   Subsidiaries.......................................................... 15
 2.3   INTENTIONALLY DELETED................................................. 15
 2.4   Corporate Record Books................................................ 15
 2.5   Authorization, Etc.................................................... 16
 2.6   No Violation.......................................................... 16
 2.7   Financial Statements.................................................. 16
 2.8   Employees............................................................. 17
 2.9   Absence of Certain Changes............................................ 17
 2.10  Contracts............................................................. 18
 2.11  True and Complete Copies.............................................. 20
 2.12  Title and Related Matters............................................. 20
 2.13  Equipment and Other Tangible Property................................. 21
 2.14  Litigation............................................................ 21
 2.15  Tax Matters........................................................... 21
 2.16  Compliance with Law and Applicable Government Regulations............. 23
 2.17  ERISA and Related Matters............................................. 23
 2.18  Intellectual Property................................................. 25
 2.19  Environmental Matters................................................. 26
 2.20  Dealings with Affiliates.............................................. 27
 2.21  Banking Arrangements.................................................. 27
 2.22  Insurance............................................................. 27
 2.23  Consents.............................................................. 28
 2.24  Investment Representations............................................ 28
 2.25  Accounts Receivable; Inventories...................................... 29


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 2.26  Brokerage............................................................ 30
 2.27  Improper and Other Payments.......................................... 30
 2.28  Participation in Audits.............................................. 30
 2.29  Healthcare Laws...................................................... 30
 2.30  INTENTIONALLY DELETED................................................ 32
 2.31  Capitalization....................................................... 32
 2.32  Title to Stock....................................................... 32
 2.33  Options and Rights................................................... 33

                                   ARTICLE III

                 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER

 3.1   Corporate Organization, etc.......................................... 33
 3.2   Authorization, Etc................................................... 33
 3.3   No Violation......................................................... 33
 3.4   Governmental Authorities............................................. 34
 3.5   Issuance of AmeriPath Stock.......................................... 34
 3.6   Information Regarding AmeriPath...................................... 34

                                   ARTICLE IV

                            COVENANTS OF THE SELLERS

 4.1   Regular Course of Business........................................... 34
 4.2   Amendments........................................................... 35
 4.3   Capital Changes; Pledges............................................. 35
 4.4   Dividends............................................................ 35
 4.5   Capital and Other Expenditures....................................... 35
 4.6   Cash and Cash Equivalents............................................ 35
 4.7   Borrowing............................................................ 36
 4.8   Other Commitments.................................................... 36
 4.9   Interim Financial Information........................................ 36
 4.10  Full Access and Disclosure........................................... 36
 4.11  Confidentiality...................................................... 36
 4.12  Breach of Agreement.................................................. 37
 4.13  Fulfillment of Conditions Precedent.................................. 37
 4.14  Banking Arrangements................................................. 37


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                                    ARTICLE V

                           COVENANTS OF THE PURCHASER

 5.1  Confidentiality....................................................... 37
 5.2  Full Access and Disclosure............................................ 37

                                   ARTICLE VI

                                OTHER AGREEMENTS

 6.1   Further Assurances................................................... 38
 6.2   Agreement to Defend.................................................. 38
 6.3   Consents............................................................. 38
 6.4   No Solicitation or Negotiation....................................... 39
 6.5   No Termination of the Sellers' Obligations by Subsequent 
       Incapacity, Etc...................................................... 39
 6.6   Employment Agreements................................................ 39
 6.7   Public Announcements................................................. 39
 6.8   Operational Guidelines and Covenants Related to Contingent Notes..... 40
 6.9   Non-Competition Covenant............................................. 40
 6.10  Non-disclosure; Confidentiality...................................... 41
 6.11  Rule 144 Best Efforts................................................ 43
 6.12  Deliveries After Closing............................................. 43
 6.13  Structural Changes................................................... 43
 6.14  Observer Rights...................................................... 44

                                   ARTICLE VII

                 CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE PURCHASER

 7.1   Representations and Warranties; Covenants and Agreements............. 45
 7.2   No Injunction........................................................ 45
 7.3   Third Party Consents................................................. 45
 7.4   Regulatory Approvals................................................. 46
 7.5   No Material Adverse Change........................................... 46
 7.6   Opinion of the Sellers' Counsel...................................... 46
 7.7   INTENTIONALLY DELETED................................................ 46
 7.8   Employment Agreements................................................ 46
 7.9   Shareholders' Agreement.............................................. 46
 7.10  Creditor Consents.................................................... 46
 7.11  Subordination Agreement.............................................. 46
 7.12  Delivery of Stock.................................................... 46
 7.13  Merger of Entities................................................... 47


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                                  ARTICLE VIII

                  CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE SELLERS

 8.1   Representations and Warranties; Performance.......................... 47
 8.2   No Injunction........................................................ 47
 8.3   Purchase Consideration............................................... 47
 8.4   Employment Agreements................................................ 47
 8.5   Third Party Consents................................................. 47
 8.6   Regulatory Approvals. The Federal and State regulatory agencies or
       Authorities listed in Schedule 2.23 hereto shall have approved the
       applications listed in such Schedule with respect to the transfer of
       assets or change of control represented by the transactions
       contemplated by this Agreement, and such approval shall not impose
       financial obligations on the Purchaser that are objectionable to it
 8.7   No Material Adverse Change........................................... 48
 8.8   Opinion of Counsel................................................... 48

                                   ARTICLE IX

                                     CLOSING

 9.1   Closing.............................................................. 48
 9.2   Closing Deliveries................................................... 48

                                    ARTICLE X

                           TERMINATION AND ABANDONMENT

 10.1  Methods of Termination............................................... 50
 10.2  Procedure Upon Termination........................................... 50



                                   ARTICLE XI

                       SURVIVAL OF TERMS; INDEMNIFICATION

 11.1  Survival............................................................. 51
 11.2  Indemnification by the Sellers....................................... 51
 11.3  Indemnification by the Purchaser..................................... 52
 11.4  Third-Party Claims................................................... 52
 11.5  Deductible........................................................... 53


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 11.6  Maximum Liability.................................................... 53
 11.7  Transaction Liability................................................ 54
 11.8  Several Liability.................................................... 54
 11.9  Notice of Claims..................................................... 54
 11.10 Exclusive Remedy..................................................... 55

                           ARTICLE XII

                    MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 12.1  Amendment and Modification........................................... 56
 12.2  Entire Agreement..................................................... 56
 12.3  Certain Definitions.................................................. 56
 12.4  Notices.............................................................. 58
 12.5  Exhibits and Schedules............................................... 59
 12.6  Waiver of Compliance; Consents....................................... 59
 12.7  Assignment........................................................... 59
 12.8  Governing Law........................................................ 60
 12.12 Injunctive Relief.................................................... 60
 12.13 Binding Effect....................................................... 60
 12.14 Delays or Omissions; Waiver.......................................... 60
 12.15 Severability......................................................... 61
 12.16 Expenses............................................................. 61
 12.17 Attorneys' Fees...................................................... 61
 12.18 Dealings in Good Faith; Best Efforts................................. 61
 12.20 Counterparts......................................................... 61


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                                    SCHEDULES

1.1     Capitalization; MD Stock and S Corp Stock owned by Sellers
1.2     Allocation of Consideration to Sellers
2.2     Subsidiaries; Investments; Interests
2.4     Corporate Records
2.6     Violations; Third Party Consents
2.7(a)  Additional Liabilities
2.7(b)  Liabilities covered by Insurance
2.7(c)  Accounts Payable
2.8     Employees
2.9     Certain Changes
2.10    Contracts
2.12    Real and Personal Property
2.14    Litigation
2.16(a) Permits and Licenses
2.16(b) Jurisdictions Licensed to Provide Healthcare; Status
2.17    ERISA, Benefit Plans and Other Matters
2.18    Intellectual Property
2.18(d) Software
2.19    Environmental Matters
2.20    Affiliated Transactions
2.21    Banking Arrangements
2.22    Insurance
2.23    Consents; Regulatory Approvals
2.25    Accounts Receivable
2.27    Improper Payments
2.28    Participation in Audits
2.29(a) Fraud and Abuse
2.29(b) Third-Party Payors
2.29(c) Medicare and Medicaid Compliance
2.29(d) Rate Limitations and Rates


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                                    EXHIBITS

1.4    Form of 7% Non-Negotiable Contingent Subordinated Promissory Note
2.1(a) Unipath's organizational documents
2.1(b) PLLC's organizational documents
2.1(c) DPA's articles of incorporation and bylaws
2.1(d) DPP's organizational documents
2.1(e) AMPA's articles of incorporation and bylaws
2.1(f) Plano's organizational documents
2.1(g) Metro, Ltd.'s organizational documents
2.1(h) Metro, P.A.'s articles of incorporation and bylaws
2.1(i) Articles of incorporation and bylaws of each MDPA
2.7    Financial Statements
3.6    Information Statement
6.6    Form of Employment Agreement
7.6    Opinion of Sellers' Counsel
7.9    Shareholders' Agreement
7.11   Subordination Agreement
8.8    Purchaser's Opinion of Counsel



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     STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), dated as of August __, 1997, by
and among AMERIPATH, INC., a Delaware corporation, or its permitted assigns
("AmeriPath" or the "Purchaser"), J. SLOAN LEONARD, M.D., JOSEPH A. SONNIER,
M.D., VAN Q. TELFORD, M.D., WILLIAM C. BURTON, M.D., JAMES SCOT MILVENAN, M.D.,
LESLIE L. WALTERS, M.D., THOMAS M. JAMES, M.D., STEPHEN W. ALDRED, M.D., JOHN E.
MCDONALD, M.D. and BARBARA A. SHINN, M.D., collectively referred to herein as
the "Sellers" and individually as a "Seller").


                                 R E C I T A L S

     WHEREAS, the Sellers, collectively, constitute all of the ultimate
beneficial owners, through the MDPAs (as defined below) and otherwise, of each
of UNIPATH, LTD., a Texas limited partnership ("Unipath"), UNIPATH, PLLC, a
Texas professional limited liability company and the general partner of Unipath
("PLLC"), DALLAS PATHOLOGY ASSOCIATES, INC., a Texas corporation ("DPA"),
ARLINGTON MANSFIELD PATHOLOGY ASSOCIATES, P.A., a Texas professional association
("AMPA"), DALLAS PATHOLOGY ASSOCIATES, a Texas general partnership ("DPP"),
PLANO PATHOLOGY ASSOCIATES, a Texas general partnership ("Plano"), METROPLEX
PATHOLOGY ASSOCIATES, P.A., a Texas professional association ("Metro, P.A."),
METROPLEX PATHOLOGY, LTD., a Texas limited partnership ("Metro, Ltd." and,
together with Unipath, PLLC, DPA, DPP, AMPA, Metro, P.A. and Plano, collectively
referred to herein as the "Unipath Entities"). Metro, P.A., AMPA and DPA are
collectively referred to herein as the "S Corps" and individually as an "S
Corp").

     WHEREAS, the Unipath Entities are engaged in the business of providing
pathology related services (the "Business").

     WHEREAS, the Sellers listed on Schedule 1.1 hereto constitute the sole
shareholders of, and own all of the issued and outstanding shares of common
stock of, each of the professional associations listed on Schedule 1.1 (the
"MDPAs") and of each of the S Corps (as set forth on Schedule 1.1.

     WHEREAS, the Purchaser desires to purchase all of the capital stock of the
MDPAs (collectively, the "MD Stock") and all of the capital stock of the S Corps
(the "S Corp Shares" and together with the MD Stock, the "Stock") from the
Sellers, on the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth.

     WHEREAS, the Sellers desire to sell, assign, convey, transfer and deliver
the Stock to the Purchaser, on the terms and subject to the conditions
hereinafter set forth.

     WHEREAS, in order to enable AmeriPath to acquire the Stock, each of the
Sellers shall cause the MDPA which it owns to merge with and into a regular
Texas business corporation owned by such Seller pursuant to a reorganization
that will qualify under Section 368 (a)(1)(F) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended and the regulations thereunder (the "Code"), as a mere change
in identity, form or place of organization of a corporation, however effected;
and each of Metro, P.A. and AMPA shall be merged with and into separate regular
Texas



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business corporations pursuant to a reorganization that will qualify under
Section 368 (a)(1)(F) of the Code as a mere change in identity, form or place of
organization of a corporation.

     WHEREAS, in connection with the closing of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, AmeriPath has formed and is the sole member of a non-profit
health organization certified to practice medicine and qualified under Section
5.01(a) of the Texas Medical Practice Act (the "5.01(a)"), and AmeriPath shall
direct certain of the Stock, assets and liabilities of the Unipath Entities to
be transferred, conveyed or assigned to the 5.01(a) through contract and by
operation of law.

     WHEREAS, AmeriPath desires to purchase and acquire from each Seller, and
each Seller desires to sell, transfer and deliver to AmeriPath, all of the
issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the S Corps, pursuant to an
election in accordance with Sections 338(g) and 338(h)(10) of the Code upon the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

     WHEREAS, although the parties hereto have agreed as to the minimum value of
the Business, they are not able to agree as to the total value of the Business,
and thus the parties hereto have agreed to certain additional contingent
purchase price consideration based upon the results of operations of the
Business as more fully set forth herein.


                    O P E R A T I V E   P R O V I S I O N S

     NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual benefits to be
derived hereby and the recitals, premises, representations, warranties,
covenants, understandings and agreements herein contained, and other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, AmeriPath, the Sellers, intending to be legally bound, hereby
agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                                PURCHASE OF STOCK

     1.1 Purchase and Sale of Capital Stock. Subject to the terms and conditions
of this Agreement, each Seller agrees to sell, transfer and deliver to the
Purchaser (or to the 5.01(a), as directed by the Purchaser), and the Purchaser
agrees to purchase, acquire and accept delivery (or direct delivery to the
5.01(a)) from each Seller, all of the issued and outstanding shares of Stock
owned or held by such Seller, which amount of Stock to be sold and purchased
hereunder is set forth opposite each such Seller's name on Schedule 1.1 attached
hereto.

     1.2 Purchase Price. In reliance on the representations, warranties,
agreements and covenants of the Sellers made herein, and as full consideration
for the Stock to be sold, transferred, conveyed and delivered by the Sellers, to
the Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement



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at the Closing, AmeriPath shall deliver to the Sellers the following
consideration (the "Purchase Price") in the aggregate (which aggregate
consideration shall be divided among the Sellers in the amounts and as indicated
on Schedule 1.2 attached hereto):

               (a) THIRTY-TWO MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS 
          ($32,500,000.00), by cashier's check or by wire transfer;

               (b) Certificates evidencing 1,000,001 shares of Common Stock, par
          value $.01 per share, of AmeriPath (the "AmeriPath Stock"), issuable
          at Closing but subject to restrictions over five years, in accordance
          with Section 1.5 hereof; and

               (c) 7% Non-Negotiable Contingent Subordinated Promissory Notes,
          due on the first business day after January 1, 2003, in the form
          attached hereto as Exhibit 1.4 (the "Contingent Notes"), in the
          maximum aggregate principal amount of THIRTY-NINE MILLION SIX HUNDRED
          THOUSAND DOLLARS ($39,600,000.00), the issuance and certain terms and
          conditions of which Contingent Notes are described in Section 1.4
          below.

     1.3 338(h)(10) Election. The parties hereto agree that (i) the acquisition
of the S Corp Shares will be in accordance with Section 338 of the Code, (ii) a
Statement of Election (the "Election") on Form 8023-A under Section 338(h)(10)
of the Code shall be made and filed with the appropriate authority and (iii) the
Sellers shall be solely responsible for paying any taxes which may result from
the Election and out of or as a consequence of the transactions contemplated
hereby. For purposes of allocation under Section 1060 of the Code for purposes
of the Election, property, plant and equipment shall be assigned a value of
their adjusted tax basis; accounts receivable will be valued net of any bad
debts and contractual allowances to be determined by the independent public
accounting firm who then audits the annual financial statements of AmeriPath
(the "Auditor") consistent with GAAP (as defined in Section 12.3 hereof); and
the balance shall be attributed to goodwill or other intangible assets. For
purposes of determining the balance, the fair value of the AmeriPath Stock shall
be determined in good faith by the Purchaser and shall be based upon an
independent evaluation thereof. The Sellers shall indemnify AmeriPath (and its
Affiliates) and hold AmeriPath (and its Affiliates) harmless from any loss,
charge or expense resulting from the Election and the payment of the taxes due
in connection therewith and herewith.

     1.4 The Contingent Notes.

          (a) Principal Amounts; Issuance. The aggregate maximum principal
     amount of the Contingent Notes to be issued and delivered at the Closing by
     the Purchaser to the Sellers as additional purchase price consideration
     pursuant to Section 1.2(d) hereof shall be THIRTY-NINE MILLION SIX HUNDRED
     THOUSAND DOLLARS ($39,600,000.00). At the Closing, the Purchaser shall
     deliver to each Seller a Contingent Note, due on the first business day
     after January 1, 2003, in the maximum stated principal amount set forth on
     Schedule 1.2, which Contingent Notes shall be in the form of Exhibit



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     1.4 hereto. The Contingent Notes shall be due and payable in the applicable
     payment amount specified in or calculated pursuant to the Contingent Notes
     and the Annexes to such Contingent Notes (the "Applicable Payment Amount")
     corresponding to a target range of Operating Earnings or Cumulative
     Operating Earnings (as defined below), as the case may be, specified in the
     Contingent Notes and the Annexes thereto, with respect to each of the five
     twelve-month periods ending on August 31, for the years 1998 through 2002
     (the "Five Periods"), if, and only if, (i) with respect to the twelve month
     period ending August 31, 1998, Operating Earnings for such period equal or
     exceed the specified minimum target amount of $6,230,000.00 (the "Year-1
     Minimum Target") or, (ii) with respect to the 24 month period ending August
     31, 1999, the 36 month period ending August 31, 2000, the 48 month period
     ending August 31, 2001 and the 60 month period ending August 31, 2002,
     Cumulative Operating Earnings for such periods equal or exceed
     $12,460,000.00, $18,690,000.00, $24,920,000.00 and $31,150,000.00,
     respectively (together with the Year-1 Minimum Target, as relevant to the
     applicable period, the "Minimum Targets"). Payment of principal and
     interest, when required to be paid hereunder, shall be made on the first
     business day after January 1 following the period for which the Minimum
     Targets had been achieved. For each of the Five Periods for which Operating
     Earnings or Cumulative Operating Earnings, as the case may be, are less
     than the applicable Minimum Target, no principal payment(s) shall be
     required, due or made under the Contingent Notes, with respect to that
     period, and any and all interest with respect thereto or accrued thereon,
     which otherwise would have become due or payable had the applicable Minimum
     Target been achieved for such period, but only with respect to such period,
     shall be canceled and voided. The Applicable Payment Amount for any payment
     period for which an Applicable Payment Amount is due and payable shall be
     reduced by any and all amounts of principal previously paid under or with
     respect to the Contingent Notes. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
     herein or in the Contingent Notes, the aggregate maximum principal amount
     due or payable under the Contingent Notes shall not exceed $39,600,000.00.

          (b) "Operating Earnings"; "Cumulative Operating Earnings".

               (i) Definition of "Operating Earnings". For purposes hereof (and
          the Contingent Notes), the term "Operating Earnings", with respect to
          any period, shall mean the income of or attributable to the Business
          for such full twelve-month period (i.e. September 1 through August 31)
          before deduction for (in each case, with respect to the Business) (i)
          interest expense for such period, (ii) income tax expense (based on
          income) for such period, (iii) charges for amortization of goodwill
          and other intangible assets created as a result of this transaction,
          (iv) any additional depreciation resulting from a step-up in basis by
          the Purchaser as a result of this transaction, (v) $50,000 additional
          salary per year payable to Dr. Sonnier and his designee, (vi) gains or
          losses on disposition of tangible assets, and (vii) any fees or
          expenses incurred by the Business in connection with the transactions
          contemplated by this Agreement. All such calculations shall be
          determined in accordance with GAAP. For purposes hereof (and the
          Contingent



                                      - 4 -
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          Notes), the "Business" shall include the business, operations,
          contracts, assets and liabilities of the Unipath Entities (as such is
          constituted immediately prior to the Closing), which Business
          following the Closing shall consist of the business, operations,
          contracts, assets and liabilities of, and the results of operations,
          revenues and expenses associated with, (i) the 5.01(a), (ii) the
          contracts with hospitals and medical facilities in effect from time to
          time, to which the Unipath Entities, prior to the Closing, and the
          5.01(a), the Unipath Entities and/or AmeriPath's wholly-owned
          subsidiary, AmeriPath Texas, Inc., a Texas corporation ("AmeriPath
          Texas"), following the Closing, is a party, and which are serviced by
          the physicians who from time to time are employed by the 5.01(a)
          and/or AmeriPath Texas and who report to the medical director for the
          Unipath Division (as defined below) (collectively, such physicians
          being referred to herein as the "Unipath-Based Pathologists"), and
          (iii) the Unipath Division's employment of, and employment agreements
          with, any and all Unipath-Based Pathologists. For purposes hereof (and
          the Contingent Notes), the term "Unipath Division" shall mean and
          include the business and operations of the 5.01(a) and/or AmeriPath
          Texas which, prior to consummation of the transactions contemplated by
          this Agreement, constituted the business and operations of Unipath,
          PLLC, DPA, DPP, AMPA, Plano, Metro, Ltd. and Metro, P.A.

               (ii) Calculation of Operating Earnings. A statement of the
          Operating Earnings, prepared by AmeriPath senior management, will be
          delivered to the Sellers, along with the Applicable Payment Amount
          required under the Contingent Notes (to the extent, and solely to the
          extent, that such statement indicates that the Minimum Target has been
          met or exceeded for such period), as calculated by AmeriPath based
          upon such statement of Operating Earnings, as soon as practicable
          following the end of each twelve month period, but in all events
          within 90 days after the end of each such period. If the holders of a
          majority of the outstanding principal balance of the Contingent Notes
          (the "Holders") wish to challenge the calculation of Operating
          Earnings, they may do so by giving written notice of such objection
          (the "Objection Notice") to AmeriPath, signed by such Holders, within
          90 days after receipt of such statement of Operating Earnings. The
          Objection Notice shall set forth in reasonable detail the Holders'
          calculation of Operating Earnings (or Cumulative Operating Earnings,
          as the case may be). If an Objection Notice is so timely delivered to
          AmeriPath, AmeriPath and the Holders shall use their best efforts to
          resolve as soon as practicable any difference of opinion. If they are
          unable to resolve such difference within 90 days after receipt by
          AmeriPath of the Objection Notice from the Holders, the matter shall
          be referred to another independent public accounting firm of similar
          experience and reputation as the Auditor acceptable to the Sellers and
          the Purchaser, whose decision shall be final and binding on all
          parties. If, as a result of such written determination, there is an
          increase in the Operating Earnings or Cumulative Operating Earnings
          from that set forth in the Operating Earnings statement to which the
          dispute relates, then, within twenty (20) days from receipt of such



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          determination, AmeriPath shall pay each Seller the difference between
          the payments (including principal and all interest accrued on the
          underpayment of such principal through the date of payment) which
          should have been paid to Sellers based on the revised Operating
          Earnings or Cumulative Operating Earnings statement and the actual
          payments previously made by AmeriPath to the Sellers with respect to
          such Operating Earnings statement. In the event that any dispute
          concerning Operating Earnings or Cumulative Operating Earnings is
          submitted to such independent auditor for resolution, the
          non-prevailing party shall pay the reasonable fees of such auditor
          incurred in connection therewith.

               (iii) Cumulative Operating Earnings. For purposes hereof (and the
          Contingent Notes), the term "Cumulative Operating Earnings" shall mean
          and include, with respect to the 24 month period ending August 31,
          1999, the 36 month period ending August 31, 2000, the 48 month period
          ending August 31, 2001 and the 60 month period ending August 31,
          2002,the Operating Earnings of the Business, on a cumulative basis,
          from September 1, 1997 through the end of such period (e.g., the
          Cumulative Operating Earnings for the period ending August 31, 2000
          shall equal the Operating Earnings, on a cumulative basis, from
          September 1, 1997 through August 31, 2000 (i.e., thirty-six full
          months of Operating Earnings would be included)).

               (iv) Regulatory Adjustments. Notwithstanding anything to the
          contrary contained herein, if, in the judgment of a majority of the
          full Board of Directors of AmeriPath (after agreement with the
          Physician Committee (a committee consisting of three Sellers and two
          other Persons designated by AmeriPath, as more fully described in
          Section 15(d) of the employment agreements between each of the Sellers
          and the 5.01(a) (the "Employment Agreements"))), in their sole and
          absolute discretion acting in good faith, it is determined that (A)
          the inclusion of certain income, from referrals or otherwise, in the
          calculation of Operating Earnings or Cumulative Operating Earnings, as
          the case may be, may cause the Contingent Notes, or the holding of the
          Contingent Notes by any Holder, to violate any Regulation or Order of
          any Authority (as such terms are defined in Section 12.3), or (B) any
          income was derived or the result of a violation of the policies and
          procedures of AmeriPath adopted from time to time by the Board of
          Directors of AmeriPath, then, such income shall not be included in
          Operating Earnings or Cumulative Operating Earnings, as the case may
          be, and shall not be taken into account in determining the payments to
          be made under the Contingent Notes.

               (v) Limitations--Services. For purposes of calculating Operating
          Earnings (and, as relevant, Cumulative Operating Earnings) hereunder,
          the expenses associated with the Business may include costs, expenses
          and charges relating to management, billing or other services provided
          by AmeriPath or its Affiliates requested or approved by the Sellers
          (or for which the Sellers failed to timely object) to the extent the
          price or amount charged or allocated with respect



                                      - 6 -

<PAGE>   15



          to such services is based upon the fair market value thereof and is
          competitive with the price or amount that would be charged by a Person
          (as such term is defined in Section 12.3 hereof) not affiliated with
          AmeriPath on an arms'-length, negotiated basis. AmeriPath shall not
          allocate any of its corporate overhead to the Business without the
          express written consent of the Sellers.

          (c) Effect of Sale on Contingent Notes. Should any Person acquire
     AmeriPath, whether by means of a merger with or into AmeriPath in which
     AmeriPath does not survive or the acquisition of all or substantially all
     of the stock or assets of AmeriPath (an "AmeriPath Disposition"), then,
     with respect to such Contingent Notes, or any one or more of them, that
     have not theretofore been canceled or voided because the Minimum Target was
     not or has not been met for the period in question, as a condition to
     consummation of the AmeriPath Disposition, the acquiring Person shall be
     required to assume AmeriPath's on-going obligations under the Contingent
     Notes and to assume or honor the obligations under the Employment
     Agreements and any other agreement entered into in connection with the
     transactions contemplated hereby.

          (d) Effect of Acquisitions on Contingent Notes. In the event that
     AmeriPath or an Affiliate of AmeriPath acquires one or more Persons or
     businesses after the Closing Date (an "AmeriPath Acquisition"), other than
     in the ordinary course of business and upon agreement of the Purchaser and
     the Sellers, Operating Earnings will be calculated without deducting any
     selling, general or administrative expenses which do not relate to the
     Unipath Entities or the Business, and without taking into account the
     income generated by, or expenses incurred in connection with, the AmeriPath
     Acquisition or the acquired Person or business; provided, however, with
     respect to an AmeriPath Acquisition whose income the Purchaser and the
     Sellers have agreed to include in the Operating Earnings or Cumulative
     Operating Earnings, as the case may be, of the Business, interest,
     amortization and depreciation with respect to such acquired practice shall
     be deducted from the Operating Earnings or Cumulative Operating Earnings,
     as the case may be, of the Business.

          (e) Interest. Each Contingent Note shall bear interest as set forth in
     the Contingent Note, computed on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual
     number of days elapsed, on the Applicable Payment Amount thereof at the
     rate of seven percent (7.0%) per annum. Simple interest shall accrue and
     shall be payable only upon payment of principal, if any. In the event
     Operating Earnings are less than the Minimum Target or Cumulative Operating
     Earnings are less than the Cumulative Target for any given period, interest
     on the principal amount of all Contingent Notes with maturities prior to
     and including such date shall be forgiven, canceled and voided.

          (f) Maturity, Redemption and Prepayments. For each period for which
     Operating Earnings or Cumulative Operating Earnings, as the case may be,
     equal or exceed the applicable Minimum Target, the appropriate Applicable
     Payment Amount of the Contingent Notes, together with interest accrued on
     such Applicable Payment Amount,



                                      - 7 -
<PAGE>   16



     shall become due and payable and shall be paid as provided in subparagraph
     (a) above. If, in the judgment of a majority of the full Board of Directors
     of AmeriPath, it is determined that the Contingent Notes, or the holding of
     the Contingent Notes by any Holder, may violate any Regulation or Order of
     any Authority (a "Violation"), then, in AmeriPath's sole discretion (as
     recommended by counsel to Ameripath), AmeriPath shall prepay the Contingent
     Notes. In its sole and absolute discretion, AmeriPath may prepay the
     Contingent Notes by paying (in the aggregate, for all Contingent Notes) the
     Payoff Amount (as defined below) for any or all of each of YR1, YR2, YR3,
     YR4 or YR5 (each as defined in the Contingent Notes), other than for any
     such year for which (i) the Purchaser paid the Applicable Payment Amount
     and interest thereon to the Holder without default or (ii) the Operating
     Earnings or Cumulative Operating Earnings, as the case may be, were less
     than the applicable Minimum Target for such year). AmeriPath shall give the
     Holders irrevocable written notice of any prepayment hereunder not less
     than three (3) business days prior to the prepayment date, specifying such
     prepayment and the date thereof, whereupon the Payoff Amount, together with
     accrued interest thereon, shall become due and payable on the prepayment
     date. For purposes hereof, the "Payoff Amount" shall mean the product of
     (x) 1.5 and (y) the Applicable Payment Amount (as set forth on the Annexes
     to the Contingent Notes for the period ending August 31, 1998) for the
     average 12 month Operating Earnings for the previous 24 month period;
     provided, however, if the prepayment occurs during the first 12 month
     period following the Closing Date, then the average 12 month Operating
     Earnings shall be calculated using only the previous 12 month period
     (including any portion of such 12 month period prior to the Closing
     hereunder, with appropriate adjustments to restate such pre-Closing period
     earnings as if such earnings had occurred following the Closing hereunder);
     provided further, however, if the Contingent Notes are prepaid due to a
     Violation, then the multiplier in clause (x) above shall be 1.25.

          (g) Payments. All payments of principal (including any prepayments or
     redemptions), and interest under the Contingent Notes shall be made by
     AmeriPath in lawful money of the United States of America in immediately
     available funds (or at the written request of the Holders thereof, by
     certified or bank check) not later than five o'clock p.m., Dallas, Texas
     time, on the date each such payment is due. To the extent calculation of
     any payment amounts (whether principal, interest or otherwise) results in
     fractions of a cent, the amount shall be rounded down to the nearest whole
     cent.

          (h) Subordination; Subordination Agreement. The Contingent Notes shall
     be subordinate and junior in right of payment to certain senior
     indebtedness pursuant to a subordination agreement attached hereto as
     Exhibit 7.11 (the "Subordination Agreement"), by and among AmeriPath's
     senior lenders and each of the holders of promissory notes of AmeriPath. As
     a condition to AmeriPath's obligations under the Contingent Notes, each
     Holder agrees to execute and deliver appropriate documents and agreements
     evidencing the subordination of the Contingent Notes to senior indebtedness
     of AmeriPath.



                                      - 8 -
<PAGE>   17



          (i) Notes Non-negotiable. The Contingent Notes shall be
     non-transferable and non-negotiable other than by will or the laws of
     intestate succession.

          (j) Right of Set-Off on the Contingent Notes. With respect to all
     Contingent Notes issued hereunder, AmeriPath shall have the right,
     following prior written notice to the Holder, to set-off against principal
     or interest payable to such Holder under a Contingent Note held by such
     Holder the amount of any indemnification payment owed by such Holder under
     Article XI hereof. Such notice shall state with reasonable specificity the
     good faith basis for AmeriPath's right to such indemnification payment, and
     a copy of such notice shall also be sent to each director of AmeriPath. The
     Holder shall have the right to respond to such notice, and if the Holder
     requests that the exercise of such right of set-off be considered and
     approved by the Board of Directors, then such right shall not be exercised
     unless considered and approved by a majority of the full Board of
     Directors. If within 10 days after receipt of such notice of set-off, the
     Holder against whom AmeriPath intends to assert such right of set-off
     contests in writing (sent to AmeriPath) AmeriPath's claim that the Holder
     is obligated to pay such amount as indemnification under Article XI hereof,
     then the amount which AmeriPath would otherwise have paid to the Holder but
     for the exercise of such right of set-off shall be paid into an interest
     bearing escrow account maintained by a bank selected by AmeriPath, to be
     held in such account until AmeriPath and the Holder have reached agreement
     as to the amount, if any, of such indemnification payment and set-off, or
     until there has been a judicial resolution of such matter, at which time
     the amount held in such segregated account, together with any interest
     accrued thereon, shall be released to the prevailing party, as appropriate
     and/or instructed. AmeriPath and the Holder agree that they will use their
     best efforts to resolve any such dispute within 30 days of receipt of
     notice by AmeriPath of the Holder's objection to the set-off. If the
     dispute shall not have been settled at the end of such 30-day period, the
     Purchaser shall forthwith seek a declaratory judgment or some other
     judicial resolution of the matter and the funds escrowed shall be placed
     with the registry of the court for the benefit of the prevailing party.

          (k) Defaults. The Holders of the Contingent Notes shall be entitled to
     the benefit of the Events of Default set forth in the form of Contingent
     Note.

          (l) Conflict. To the extent there is any conflict or inconsistency
     between the terms of this Agreement and the terms specified in any
     Contingent Note, the terms specified in the Contingent Note shall govern
     and prevail.

          (m) Tax Reporting. The parties agree that the Contingent Notes are
     "contingent payment obligations" issued under section 1274 of the Code and
     payment of principal and interest on the Contingent Notes shall be
     recognized for federal income tax purposes in accordance with treasury
     regulation section 1.1275-4(c).



                                      - 9 -
<PAGE>   18



     1.5 AmeriPath Stock. As additional purchase price consideration, the
Purchaser shall issue to the Sellers, subject to the conditions and restrictions
set forth in this Section 1.5, the AmeriPath Stock (to be divided among the
Sellers as set forth on Schedule 1.2 hereof).

          (a) Restrictions on Transfer; Release.

               (1) Except as is specifically permitted by the provisions of this
          Section 1.5, the sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, pledge,
          margin, hypothecation, gift, bequest, devise, levy, execution or other
          disposition (hereinafter, each, a "transfer") of the AmeriPath Stock,
          either directly or indirectly, by operation of law or otherwise, to
          any Person is strictly prohibited.

               (2) In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, no
          Seller shall transfer any shares of the AmeriPath Stock at any time if
          such transfer would constitute a breach of any shareholders agreement
          with AmeriPath, or a violation of any federal or state securities or
          "blue sky" laws, rules or regulations (collectively, "Securities
          Laws"), or a breach of the conditions to any exemption from
          registration of the AmeriPath Stock under any such Securities Laws, or
          a breach of any undertaking or agreement of such Seller entered into
          with AmeriPath pursuant to such Securities Laws or in connection with
          obtaining an exemption thereunder, and AmeriPath shall not transfer
          upon its books any shares of AmeriPath Stock unless prior thereto
          AmeriPath shall have received an opinion, in form and substance
          satisfactory to AmeriPath, of counsel, reasonably satisfactory to
          AmeriPath, that such transfer is in compliance with this Section 1.5
          and the Securities Laws.

               (3) For purposes of this Agreement (and the restrictions set
          forth in this Section 1.5), the term "AmeriPath Stock" shall mean and
          include (i) the shares of AmeriPath Stock issued, granted, conveyed
          and delivered to each Seller pursuant to Section 1.2 hereof (the
          "Primary Shares"), and (ii) any and all other or additional shares of
          capital stock of AmeriPath issued or delivered by AmeriPath with
          respect to the shares of AmeriPath Stock described in clause (i)
          hereof, including without limitation any shares of capital stock of
          AmeriPath issued or delivered with respect to such shares as a result
          of any stock split, stock dividend, stock distribution,
          recapitalization or similar transaction (the "Additional Shares").

               (4) Release of Restrictions. Notwithstanding the provisions of
          Section 1.5(a)(1), commencing the date which is one year following the
          Closing Date, and on each of the four one-year anniversaries of such
          date, 20% of the shares of AmeriPath Stock (including both the Primary
          Shares and any Additional Shares issued with respect to such Primary
          Shares) owned by each Seller shall be free of the restrictions set
          forth in Section 1.5(a)(1), such restrictions at such time having
          lapsed and no longer being applicable to such percentage of the
          AmeriPath Stock, so that after five (5) years none of the shares of
          AmeriPath Stock (including



                                     - 10 -

<PAGE>   19



          Primary Shares and Additional Shares) shall be subject to the
          restrictions set forth in Section 1.5(a)(1) hereof. The ownership of
          the AmeriPath Stock by the Sellers is not subject to the employment of
          such Sellers with an AmeriPath Affiliate.

          (b) Permitted Conditional Transfer Upon Death. Notwithstanding the
     provisions of this Section 1.5, upon a Seller's death, the AmeriPath Stock
     owned by such Seller shall be transferable solely pursuant to the Seller's
     will or in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution, if, and
     only if, the descendants or devisees or assignees or beneficiaries, as
     applicable, of the AmeriPath Stock execute and deliver to AmeriPath an
     agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to AmeriPath, evidencing
     their agreement to the restrictions contained in this Section 1.5.

          (c) Transferability; Shareholders' Agreement. Any shares of AmeriPath
     Stock issued pursuant hereto, shall be subject to that certain
     Shareholders' Agreement, dated as of February 29, 1996, as amended from
     time to time, by and among AmeriPath and each of the stockholders of
     AmeriPath, attached hereto as Exhibit 7.9 (the "Shareholders' Agreement"),
     relating to the AmeriPath Stock and related and other matters, including,
     but not limited to, any restrictions on transferability and any rights of
     first refusal. As a condition to the issuance of shares of AmeriPath Stock
     in connection with any Stock Right (and at AmeriPath's option, at each
     issuance), the Sellers shall execute and deliver to the Purchaser a
     counterpart to the Shareholders' Agreement. In addition, in connection with
     the closing, the Sellers agree that, if an underwriter requests the
     Purchaser, in connection with an underwritten public offering of any of its
     securities, to secure and obtain a lock-up agreement, whereby a Person
     agrees to refrain from selling, transferring, pledging or otherwise
     conveying its securities for a certain period, less than 181 days (the
     "Lock-up"), from any of the Purchaser's stockholders, optionholders or
     employees, the Sellers shall execute and deliver to the Purchaser a
     Lock-up, in form and substance acceptable to the Purchaser and the
     underwriters of such offering, within ten (10) days of receipt a written
     request from the Purchaser.

          (d) Legend(s) on Stock Certificates. Each Seller understands and
     agrees that any and all stock certificates evidencing the AmeriPath Stock
     shall contain appropriate restrictive legends indicating, in form
     satisfactory to AmeriPath, the restrictions to which the AmeriPath Stock is
     subject, as provided under this Agreement, including, but not limited to,
     the following:

               "The shares represented by this certificate (the "Shares") are
               subject to each and every one of the terms, conditions and
               restrictions set forth in the Shareholders' Agreement dated
               February 29, 1996 (the "Shareholders' Agreement"), as amended,
               including, but not limited to, any restrictions on
               transferability and any rights of first refusal, and may not, in
               whole or in part, be sold, transferred, pledged, gifted,
               hypothecated or otherwise disposed of in any manner other



                                     - 11 -


<PAGE>   20



               than in accordance with the terms of the Shareholders' Agreement,
               a copy of which is on file and available for inspection at the
               principal offices of the Issuer presently located at 7289 Garden
               Road, Suite 200, Riviera Beach, Florida 33404."

          (e) Representations. Each Seller understands that, in connection with
     the issuance of the AmeriPath Stock, AmeriPath is relying upon the
     representations and warranties being made by Sellers to AmeriPath in
     Section 2.24 hereof.

                                   ARTICLE II

                  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLERS

         The Sellers, jointly and severally to the extent set forth in Section
11.8 hereof, make the following representations and warranties to the Purchaser
(and the Purchaser, in executing, delivering and consummating this Agreement,
has relied and will rely upon the correctness and completeness of each of such
representations and warranties notwithstanding any independent investigation
unless the Purchase had actual knowledge that such representations and
warranties were not correct and complete):

     2.1 Corporate Organization, Qualification, etc.

          (a) Unipath is a limited partnership duly organized, validly existing
     and in good standing under the laws of the State of Texas with full power
     and authority to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and
     proposed to be conducted, and to own, operate and lease its properties and
     assets. Unipath is duly qualified or licensed to do business in good
     standing in Texas, that being the only jurisdiction in which the conduct of
     Unipath's business, the ownership or lease of its properties, the proposed
     conduct of its business or ownership or lease of its properties, or the
     transactions contemplated by this Agreement, require it to be so qualified
     or licensed. Unipath's partnership agreement has not been amended or
     supplemented since May 31, 1995, and is in full force and effect as of the
     date hereof. A true, complete and correct copy of Unipath's partnership
     agreement as presently in effect, is attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1(a).

          (b) PLLC is a limited liability company duly organized, validly
     existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Texas with
     full corporate power and authority to carry on its business as it is now
     being conducted and proposed to be conducted, and to own, operate and lease
     its properties and assets. PLLC is duly qualified or licensed to do
     business in good standing in Texas, that being the only jurisdiction in
     which the conduct of PLLC's business, the ownership or lease of its
     properties, the proposed conduct of its business or ownership or lease of
     its properties, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, require
     it to be so qualified or licensed. PLLC's articles



                                     - 12 -

<PAGE>   21



     of organization have not been amended or supplemented since May 11, 1995,
     and are in full force and effect as of the date hereof. True, complete and
     correct copies of PLLC's articles of organization and regulations, as
     presently in effect, are attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1(b).

          (c) DPA is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
     standing under the laws of the State of Texas with full corporate power and
     authority to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and
     proposed to be conducted, and to own, operate and lease its properties and
     assets. DPA is duly qualified or licensed to do business in good standing
     in Texas, that being the only jurisdiction in which the conduct of DPA's
     business, the ownership or lease of its properties, the proposed conduct of
     its business or ownership or lease of its properties, or the transactions
     contemplated by this Agreement, require it to be so qualified or licensed.
     DPA's articles of incorporation have not been amended or supplemented since
     April 7, 1976, and are in full force and effect as of the date hereof.
     True, complete and correct copies of DPA's articles of incorporation and
     by-laws, as presently in effect, are attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1(c).

          (d) DPP is a partnership duly organized, validly existing and in good
     standing under the laws of the State of Texas with full legal power and
     authority to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and
     proposed to be conducted, and to own, operate and lease its properties and
     assets. DPP is duly qualified or licensed to do business in good standing
     in Texas, that being the only jurisdiction in which the conduct of DPP's
     business, the ownership or lease of its properties, the proposed conduct of
     its business or ownership or lease of its properties, or the transactions
     contemplated by this Agreement, require it to be so qualified or licensed.
     DPP's partnership agreement has not been amended or supplemented since
     April 11, 1990, and is in full force and effect as of the date hereof. A
     true, complete and correct copy of DPP's partnership agreement, as
     presently in effect, is attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1(d).

          (e) AMPA is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
     standing under the laws of the State of Texas with full corporate power and
     authority to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and
     proposed to be conducted, and to own, operate and lease its properties and
     assets. AMPA is duly qualified or licensed to do business in good standing
     in Texas, that being the only jurisdiction in which the conduct of AMPA's
     business, the ownership or lease of its properties, the proposed conduct of
     its business or ownership or lease of its properties, or the transactions
     contemplated by this Agreement, require it to be so qualified or licensed.
     AMPA's articles of incorporation have not been amended or supplemented
     since July 9, 1990, and are in full force and effect as of the date hereof.
     True, complete and correct copies of AMPA's articles of incorporation and
     by-laws, as presently in effect, are attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1(e).

          (f) Plano is a partnership duly organized, validly existing and in
     good standing under the laws of the State of Texas with full legal power
     and authority to carry on its



                                     - 13 -

<PAGE>   22



     business as it is now being conducted and proposed to be conducted, and to
     own, operate and lease its properties and assets. Plano is duly qualified
     or licensed to do business in good standing in Texas, that being the only
     jurisdiction in which the conduct of Plano's business, the ownership or
     lease of its properties, the proposed conduct of its business or ownership
     or lease of its properties, or the transactions contemplated by this
     Agreement, require it to be so qualified or licensed. Plano's partnership
     agreement has not been amended or supplemented since April 20, 1992, and is
     in full force and effect as of the date hereof. A true, complete and
     correct copy of Plano's partnership agreement, as presently in effect, is
     attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1(f).

          (g) Metro, Ltd. is a limited partnership duly organized, validly
     existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Texas with
     full legal power and authority to carry on its business as it is now being
     conducted and proposed to be conducted, and to own, operate and lease its
     properties and assets. Metro is duly qualified or licensed to do business
     in good standing in Texas, that being the only jurisdiction in which the
     conduct of Metro's business, the ownership or lease of its properties, the
     proposed conduct of its business or ownership or lease of its properties,
     or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, require it to be so
     qualified or licensed. Metro's limited partnership agreement has not been
     amended or supplemented since June 27, 1994, and is in full force and
     effect as of the date hereof. A true, complete and correct copy of Metro's
     limited partnership agreement, as presently in effect, is attached hereto
     as Exhibit 2.1(g).

          (h) Metro, P.A. is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and
     in good standing under the laws of the State of Texas with full corporate
     power and authority to carry on its business as it is now being conducted
     and proposed to be conducted, and to own, operate and lease its properties
     and assets. Metro, P.A. is duly qualified or licensed to do business in
     good standing in Texas, that being the only jurisdiction in which the
     conduct of Metro, P.A.'s business, the ownership or lease of its
     properties, the proposed conduct of its business or ownership or lease of
     its properties, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, require
     it to be so qualified or licensed. Metro, P.A.'s articles of incorporation
     have not been amended or supplemented since November 9, 1994, and are in
     full force and effect as of the date hereof. True, complete and correct
     copies of Metro, P.A.'s articles of incorporation and by-laws, as presently
     in effect, are attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1(h).

          (i) Each MDPA is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in
     good standing under the laws of the State of Texas with full corporate
     power and authority to carry on its business as it is now being conducted
     and proposed to be conducted, and to own, operate and lease its properties
     and assets. Each MDPA is duly qualified or licensed to do business in good
     standing in Texas, that being the only jurisdiction in which the conduct of
     such MDPA's business, the ownership or lease of its properties, the
     proposed conduct of its business or ownership or lease of its properties,
     or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, require it to be so
     qualified or licensed. None of the



                                     - 14 -

<PAGE>   23



     MDPA's articles of incorporation have been amended or supplemented since
     such MDPA's date of incorporation, and are in full force and effect as of
     the date hereof. True, complete and correct copies of each MDPA's articles
     of incorporation and by-laws, as presently in effect, are attached hereto
     as Exhibit 2.1(i).

     2.2 Subsidiaries. Except as set forth on Schedule 2.2, none of the Sellers,
MDPAs or S Corps has any Subsidiaries (as defined in Section 12.3) nor any
investment or other interest in, or any outstanding loan or advance to or from,
any Person, including any officer, director, partner or shareholder.

     2.3 INTENTIONALLY DELETED.

     2.4 Corporate Record Books. Except as set forth on Schedule 2.4 attached
hereto.

          (a) The partnership minute book of UniPath which has been made
     available to the Purchaser is complete and correct and contains all of the
     proceedings of the partners of Unipath.

          (b) The corporate minute book of PLLC which has been made available to
     the Purchaser is complete and correct and contains all of the proceedings
     of the shareholders, members and directors of PLLC.

          (c) The corporate minute books of each DPA which have been made
     available to the Purchaser are complete and correct and contain all of the
     proceedings of the shareholders and directors of each DPA.

          (d) The partnership minute books and records of DPP which have been
     made available to the Purchaser are complete and correct and contain all of
     the proceedings of the partners of DPP.

          (e) The corporate minute books of AMPA which have been made available
     to the Purchaser are complete and correct and contain all of the
     proceedings of the shareholders and directors of AMPA.

          (f) The partnership minute books and records of Plano which have been
     made available to the Purchaser are complete and correct and contain all of
     the proceedings of the partners of Plano.

          (g) The partnership minute books and records of Metro, Ltd. which have
     been made available to the Purchaser are complete and correct and contain
     all of the proceedings of the partners of Metro, Ltd.



                                     - 15 -

<PAGE>   24



          (h) The corporate minute books of Metro, P.A. which have been made
     available to the Purchaser are complete and correct and contain all of the
     proceedings of the shareholders and directors of Metro, P.A.

          (i) The corporate minute books of each MDPA which have been made
     available to the Purchaser are complete and correct and contain all of the
     proceedings of the shareholders and directors of each MDPA.

     2.5 Authorization, Etc. Each Seller has full power, authority and capacity
to enter into this Agreement and the agreements and documents contemplated
hereby and perform their respective obligations hereunder and thereunder. The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and all other agreements
and transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by each Seller
and no other proceedings or actions on its part are necessary to authorize this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. The Sellers are entering
into this Agreement on their own volition, free from any undue influence or
coercion. Upon execution and delivery of this Agreement by the parties hereto
and all other agreements contemplated hereby, this Agreement and such other
agreements shall constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of each
Seller party thereto, enforceable against each such party in accordance with
their respective terms.

     2.6 No Violation. The execution and delivery by the Sellers of this
Agreement and all other agreements contemplated hereby, and the fulfillment of
and compliance with the respective terms hereof and thereof by each Seller and
each Unipath Entity, do not and will not, except as set forth on Schedule 2.6,
(a) conflict with or result in a breach of the terms, conditions or provisions
of, (b) constitute a default or event of default under (with due notice, lapse
of time or both), (c) result in the creation of any Lien upon the capital stock,
partnership or other interests or assets of any Seller or any Unipath Entity
pursuant to, (d) give any third party the right to accelerate any obligation
under, (e) result in a violation of, or (f) require any authorization, consent,
approval, exemption or other action by or notice to any Person, court or
Authority pursuant to, the organizational documents of any Unipath Entity or any
Regulation, Order or Contract (as defined in Section 12.3) to which any Seller
or any Unipath Entity is currently subject.

     2.7 Financial Statements. Attached as Exhibit 2.7 hereto are the following
financial statements of the Unipath Entities: (i) balance sheets for the fiscal
year ended June 30, 1996 and June 30, 1997 (the "Balance Sheets"), (ii) income
statements and related schedules thereto for the fiscal years ended June 30,
1996 and June 30, 1997 (the "Income Statements"), and (iii) balance sheet,
statement of revenues and expenses and related schedules thereto for the three
months ended June 30, 1997 (collectively, together with the Balance Sheets and
the Income Statements, the "Financial Statements"). The balance sheets (and the
schedules thereto) included in the Financial Statements fairly present the
financial position of the Unipath Entities as at the respective dates thereof,
and the Income Statements (and the schedules thereto) included in the Financial
Statements (x) fairly present the results of operations for the periods therein
referred to, (except as stated therein or in the notes or schedules thereto)
applied on a consistent basis, and



                                     - 16 -

<PAGE>   25



(y) fairly present the financial condition of the Unipath Entities at the
respective date of and for the period covered by, such statements. No Unipath
Entity has any liability, whether accrued, absolute or contingent, of a type
required to be reflected on a balance sheet or described in the notes thereto in
accordance with GAAP, other than (i) liabilities which have been reflected or
disclosed on Schedule 2.7(a) attached hereto, (ii) liabilities less than $10,000
incurred since June 30, 1997 in the ordinary course of business, and (iii)
liabilities covered by insurance or reinsurance (a complete and detailed
description of which is provided in Schedule 2.7(b)). Schedule 2.7(c) contains a
complete list of the accounts payable in excess of $100 of each Unipath Entity
as of the date hereof and a summary description as of the Closing Date (to be
supplemented at the Closing).

     2.8 Employees. As of June 30, 1997, and as of the date hereof, the Unipath
Entities had the aggregate number of employees set forth on Schedule 2.8 hereto.
To the best knowledge of each Seller, after due investigation and inquiry, each
Unipath Entity has been for the past four years (or as many years as such entity
has been organized, as applicable, and currently is, in compliance with all
Federal, State and local Regulations and Orders affecting employment and
employment practices of the Unipath Entities (including those Regulations
promulgated by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission), including terms and
conditions of employment and wages and hours.

     2.9 Absence of Certain Changes. Except as set forth in Schedule 2.9 hereto.
Since June 30, 1997, except as contemplated herein, there has not been (a) any
Material Adverse Change (as defined in Section 12.3) in or to the Unipath
Entities; (b) any decrease in the cash and cash equivalents of the Unipath
Entities from the amounts shown on the balance sheet for the fiscal year ended
June 30, 1997 included in the Financial Statements, (c) any damage, destruction
or loss, whether covered by insurance or not, having a Material Adverse Effect
(as defined in Section 12.3), with regard to the Unipath Entities' assets,
properties or business; (d) any payment by the Unipath Entities to, or any
notice to or acknowledgment by any Unipath Entity of any amount due or owing to,
the Unipath Entities' self-insured carrier, if any, in connection with any
self-insured amounts or liabilities under health insurance covering employees of
the Unipath Entities, in each case, in excess of a reserve therefor on the
balance sheet for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1997 included in the Financial
Statements; (e) any declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or
distribution (whether in cash, stock or property) in respect of the Unipath
Entities' capital stock or capital or partnership interests, or any redemption
or other acquisition of such capital stock or capital or partnership interests
by the Unipath Entities (other than that which would not cause a breach of
Section 2.30 hereof; (f) any increase (other than in the ordinary course of
business) in the rate of compensation or in the benefits payable or to become
payable by the Unipath Entities to their directors, officers, partners,
employees or consultants; (g) any amendment, modification or termination of any
existing, or entering into any new, Contract or plan relating to any salary,
bonus, insurance, pension, health or other employee welfare or benefit plan for
or with any directors, officers, partners, employees or consultants of a Unipath
Entity (other than in the ordinary course of business); (h) any entry into any
material Contract not in the ordinary course of business, including without
limitation relating to any borrowing or capital expenditure; (i) any disposition
by a Unipath Entity of any asset; (j) any



                                     - 17 -

<PAGE>   26



adverse change in the sales patterns, pricing policies, accounts receivable or
accounts payable relating to the Sellers; or (k) any write-down of the value of
any inventory having an aggregate value in excess of $5,000, or write-off, as
uncollectible, of any notes, trade accounts or other receivables having an
aggregate value in excess of $5,000; or (l) any change by a Unipath Entity in
accounting methods or principles.

     2.10 Contracts.

          (a) Except as set forth in Schedule 2.10 hereto, no Seller or Unipath
     Entity is a party to or subject to any written or oral:

               (i) pension, profit sharing, bonus, retirement, stock option,
          stock purchase or other plan providing for deferred or other
          compensation to employees or any other employee benefit plan (other
          than as set forth in Schedule 2.17 hereto), or any Contract with any
          labor union;

               (ii) employment, consultation, or other compensation Contract
          which is not terminable on notice of 30 days' or less by a Unipath
          Entity without penalty or other financial obligation (and, except as
          set forth on Schedule 2.10, no officer or employee of any Unipath
          Entity receives total salary, bonus and other compensation from such
          Unipath Entity of $35,000.00 or more per annum).

               (iii) Contract containing covenants or agreements limiting the
          freedom of an Unipath Entity or any of their employees to compete in
          any line of business presently conducted by any Unipath Entity with
          any Person or to compete in any such line of business in any area;

               (iv) Contract with any Seller or with any Unipath Entity or with
          any affiliate or relative of any Seller or with any affiliate of any
          Unipath Entity (except for any Contract disclosed in Schedule 2.10
          pursuant to clauses (ii) or (iii) of this Section 2.10(a));

               (v) Contract relating to or providing for loans to officers,
          directors, employees or Affiliates;

               (vi) Contract under which any Unipath Entity has advanced or
          loaned, or are obligated to advance or loan, funds to any Person;

               (vii) Contract relating to the incurrence, assumption or
          guarantee of any indebtedness, obligation or liability (in respect of
          money or funds borrowed), or otherwise pledging, granting a security
          interest in or placing a Lien on any asset of any Unipath Entity;

               (viii) guarantee or endorsement of any obligation;



                                     - 18 -


<PAGE>   27



               (ix) Contract under which any Unipath Entity is lessee of or
          holds or operates any property, real or personal, owned by any other
          party, except for any lease of real or personal property under which
          the aggregate annual rental payments do not exceed $10,000.00;

               (x) Contract pursuant to which any Unipath Entity is lessor of or
          permits any third party to hold or operate any property, real or
          personal, owned or controlled by a Unipath Entity;

               (xi) assignment, license, indemnification or Contract with
          respect to any intangible property (including, without limitation, any
          Proprietary Rights (as defined in Section 12.3));

               (xii) warranty Contract with respect to its services rendered (or
          to be rendered) or its products sold or leased;

               (xiii) Contract which prohibits, restricts or limits in any way
          the payment of dividends or distributions by a Unipath Entity;

               (xiv) Contract under which it has granted any Person any
          registration rights (including piggyback rights) with respect to any
          securities;

               (xv) Contract for the purchase, acquisition or supply of
          inventory and other property and assets, whether for resale or
          otherwise in excess of $10,000.00;

               (xvi) Contracts with independent agents, brokers, dealers or
          distributors;

               (xvii) sales, commissions, advertising or marketing Contracts;

               (xviii) Contracts providing for "take or pay" or similar
          unconditional purchase or payment obligations;

               (xix) Contracts with Persons with which, directly or indirectly,
          any Seller also has a Contract; or

               (xx) any other Contract which is material to any Unipath Entity's
          operations or business prospects, except those which (x) were made in
          the ordinary course of business, (y) are terminable on 30 days' or
          less notice by such Unipath Entity without penalty or other financial
          obligation, and (z) in each case, involve aggregate payments by or to
          any Unipath Entity of $10,000.00 or less.

          (b) Except as set forth on Schedule 2.6, no consent of any party to
     any Contract is required in connection with the execution, delivery or
     performance of this Agreement, or the consummation of the transactions
     contemplated hereby.



                                     - 19 -


<PAGE>   28



          (c) Each Unipath Entity has performed in all material respects all
     obligations required to be performed by it and is not in default in any
     respect under or in breach of nor in receipt of any claim of default or
     breach under any material Contract to which such Unipath Entity is subject
     (including without limitation all performance bonds, warranty obligations
     or otherwise); no event has occurred which with the passage of time or the
     giving of notice or both would result in a default, breach or event of
     non-compliance under any material Contract to which any Unipath Entity is
     subject (including without limitation all performance bonds, warranty
     obligations or otherwise); no Unipath Entity has any present expectation or
     intention of not fully performing all such obligations; and no Unipath
     Entity has any knowledge of any breach or anticipated breach by the other
     parties to any such Contract to which it is a party.

     2.11 True and Complete Copies. Copies of all Contracts and documents
delivered and to be delivered hereunder by the Sellers are and will be true and
complete copies of such agreements, Contracts and documents.

     2.12 Title and Related Matters.

          (a) The Unipath Entities own all of the properties and assets
     reflected in the balance sheet for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1997
     included in the Financial Statements or acquired after the date thereof and
     for properties sold or otherwise disposed of since the date thereof in the
     ordinary course of business, free and clear of all Liens (as defined in
     Section 12.3), except (i) statutory Liens not yet delinquent, (ii) such
     imperfections or irregularities of title, Liens, easements, charges or
     encumbrances as do not detract from or interfere with the present use of
     the properties or assets subject thereto or affected thereby; otherwise do
     not impair present business operations at such properties; or do not
     detract from the value of such properties and assets, taken as a whole, or
     (iii) as reflected in the balance sheet for the fiscal year ended June 30,
     1997 included in the Financial Statements or the notes thereto.

          (b) Each Unipath Entity owns, and will on the Closing Date own, all
     the personal property and assets, tangible or intangible, used in the
     Business except as to those assets (1) leased all of which leases are in
     good standing and no party is in default thereunder, and (2) set forth on
     Schedule 2.12, which are the personal property of the Sellers, not to be
     transferred to the Purchaser hereunder. Upon the sale, transfer and
     conveyance of the Stock to the Purchaser hereunder, the Unipath Entities
     (as they are constituted immediately prior to the Closing and the 5.01(a)
     immediately after the Closing) shall retain good title to all of their
     properties and assets as set forth in (a) above. None of the assets
     belonging to or held by any Unipath Entity is or will be on the Closing
     Date subject to any (i) Contracts of sale or lease, or (ii) Liens. Except
     for normal breakdowns and servicing requirements, all machinery and
     equipment regularly used by any Unipath Entity in the conduct of its
     business is in good operating condition and repair, ordinary wear and tear
     excepted.



                                     - 20 -


<PAGE>   29



          (c) There has not been since June 30, 1997, and will not be prior to
     the Closing Date, any sale, lease, or any other disposition or distribution
     by a Unipath Entity of any of its assets or properties and any other assets
     now or hereafter owned by it, except transactions in the ordinary and
     regular course of business or as otherwise consented to by the Purchaser,
     including the assets which are to remain the property of the Sellers, as
     set forth on Schedule 2.12. After the Closing, either the 5.01(a) or
     AmeriPath Texas, as the wholly-owned subsidiary of the Purchaser, will own,
     or have the unrestricted right to use, all properties and assets that are
     currently used in connection with the Business of the Unipath Entities.

          (d) Schedule 2.12 attached hereto sets forth a description of all real
     and personal property owned or leased by the Unipath Entities, as well as
     the property to be retained by the individual Sellers.

     2.13 Equipment and Other Tangible Property. The Unipath Entities'
equipment, furniture, machinery, structures, fixtures and other tangible
property are adequate for the purposes for which intended and are in good
operating condition and repair consistent with normal industry standards, except
for ordinary wear and tear, and except for such assets as shall have been taken
out of service on a temporary basis for repairs or replacement consistent with
the Sellers' prior practices and normal industry standards.

     2.14 Litigation. Except as set forth on Schedule 2.14 hereto, there are no
Claims (as defined in Section 12.3) pending or, to the best knowledge of any
Seller, threatened against any of the Sellers or the Unipath Entities which, if
adversely determined, would have a Material Adverse Effect on any Unipath
Entity. Nor is there any Order outstanding against any of the Sellers or the
Unipath Entities having, or which, insofar as can reasonably be foreseen, in the
future may have, a Material Adverse Effect on any Unipath Entity.

     2.15 Tax Matters.

          (a) Each Unipath Entity has filed all federal, state, and local tax
     reports, returns, information returns and other documents (collectively the
     "Tax Returns") required to be filed with any federal, state, local or other
     taxing authorities (each a "Taxing Authority" collectively the "Taxing
     Authorities") in respect of all relevant taxes, including without
     limitation income, premium, gross receipts, net proceeds, alternative or
     add-on minimum, ad valorem, value added, turnover, sales, use, property,
     personal property (tangible and intangible), stamp, leasing, lease, user,
     excise, duty, franchise, transfer, license, withholding, payroll,
     employment, fuel, excess profits, occupational and interest equalization,
     windfall profits, severance, and other charges (including interest and
     penalties) (collectively, the "Taxes") and in accordance with all tax
     sharing agreements to which any Seller or Unipath Entity may be a party.
     All Taxes required or anticipated to be paid for all periods prior to and
     including the Closing Date have been paid or accrued, including any of the
     Unipath Entities' Taxes that may be due or claimed to be due as a result of
     the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.



                                     - 21 -


<PAGE>   30



     All Taxes which are required to be withheld or collected by the Unipath
     Entities have been duly withheld or collected and, to the extent required,
     have been paid to the proper Taxing Authority or properly segregated or
     deposited as required by applicable laws. There are no Liens for Taxes upon
     any property or assets of any Unipath Entity except for liens for Taxes not
     yet due and payable. No Unipath Entity has executed a waiver of the statute
     of limitations on the right of the Internal Revenue Service or any other
     Taxing Authority to assess additional Taxes or to contest the income or
     loss with respect to any Tax Return. There shall be no gains recognized
     upon or as a result of the dissolution of the partnerships. The basis of
     any depreciable assets, and the methods used in determining allowable
     depreciation (including cost recovery), is correct and in compliance with
     the Code. PLLC has been and shall be up to Closing treated as a partnership
     for federal tax purposes.

          (b) No audit of any Unipath Entity or any Unipath Entity's Tax Returns
     by any Taxing Authority is currently pending or, to the best knowledge of
     the Sellers, threatened, and no issues have been raised by any Taxing
     Authority in connection with any Tax Returns. No material issues have been
     raised in any examination by any Taxing Authority with respect to any
     Unipath Entity which reasonably could be expected to result in a proposed
     deficiency for any other period not so examined, and there are no
     unresolved issues or unpaid deficiencies relating to such examinations. The
     items relating to the business, properties or operations of any Unipath
     Entity on the Tax Returns filed by or on behalf of such Unipath Entity for
     all taxable years (including the supporting schedules filed therewith),
     available copies of which have been made available to the Purchaser, state
     accurately the information requested with respect to such Unipath Entity
     and such information was derived from the books and records of such Unipath
     Entity.

          (c) No Unipath Entity has made or become obligated to make, nor will
     as a result of any event connected with the Closing become obligated to
     make, any "excess parachute payment" as defined in Section 280G of the Code
     (without regard to subsection (b)(4) thereof).

          (d) The Sellers shall cause each Unipath Entity to file all Tax
     Returns and reports with respect to Taxes which are required to be filed
     for Tax periods ending on or before the Closing Date (a "Pre-Closing Tax
     Return"), and each Unipath Entity shall pay all Taxes due in respect of
     such Pre-Closing Tax Returns to the appropriate Taxing Authority. The
     Sellers, if AmeriPath so requests, shall assist AmeriPath in causing the
     Unipath Entities which are partnerships to make and timely file elections
     pursuant to Section 754 of the Code, and the Election pursuant to Section
     1.3 hereof shall be made and timely filed in accordance with Section 1.3.

          (e) In order to enable AmeriPath to acquire the Stock, each of the
     Sellers shall cause the MDPA which it owns to merge with and into a regular
     Texas business corporation owned by such Seller pursuant to a
     reorganization that will qualify under Section 368 (a)(1)(F) of the Code as
     a mere change in identity, form or place of



                                     - 22 -


<PAGE>   31



     organization of a corporation, however effected; and each of Metro, P.A.
     and AMPA shall be merged with and into separate regular Texas business
     corporations pursuant to a reorganization that will qualify under Section
     368 (a)(1)(F) of the Code as a mere change in identity, form or place of
     organization of a corporation.

     2.16 Compliance with Law and Applicable Government Regulations. Each
Unipath Entity is presently complying in respect of its operations, equipment,
practices, real property, plants, laboratories, structures, and other property,
and all other aspects of its business and operations, with all applicable
Regulations and Orders, including, but not limited to, Healthcare Laws, all
Regulations relating to the safe conduct of business, environmental protection,
quality and labeling, antitrust, Taxes, consumer protection, equal opportunity,
discrimination, health, sanitation, fire, zoning, building and occupational
safety where such failure or failures would individually or in the aggregate
have a Material Adverse Effect. There are no Claims pending, nor to the best
knowledge of the Sellers are there any Claims threatened, nor has any Seller or
Unipath Entity received any written notice, regarding any violations of any
Regulations and Orders enforced by any Authority claiming jurisdiction over any
Unipath Entity, including any requirement of OSHA or any pollution and
environmental control agency (including air and water).

          (a) Schedule 2.16(a) attached hereto sets forth all permits, licenses,
     provider numbers, orders, franchises and approvals (collectively,
     "Permits") from all Federal, state, local and foreign governmental
     regulatory bodies held by each Unipath Entity. The Permits listed on
     Schedule 2.16(a) are the only Permits that are required for each Unipath
     Entity to conduct its business as presently conducted, except for those the
     absence of which would not have any Material Adverse Effect on any Unipath
     Entity. Each such Permit is in full force and effect and, to the best of
     the knowledge of the Sellers, no suspension or cancellation of any such
     Permit is threatened and there is no basis for believing that such Permit
     will not be renewable upon expiration.

          (b) Each Unipath Entity has the licenses to provide healthcare
     services in the jurisdictions set forth in Schedule 2.16(b) hereto, which
     such licenses are all those necessary to conduct the business of such
     Seller in the jurisdictions in which such Unipath Entity presently
     operates. Schedule 2.16(b) also sets forth a true and complete description
     of the status of each such license. Except as set forth on Schedule
     2.16(b), the Sellers are not aware of any event, transaction,
     correspondence or circumstance which would have, or could foreseeably have,
     a Material Adverse Effect on one or more of such licenses.

     2.17 ERISA and Related Matters.

          (a) Benefit Plans; Obligations to Employees. Except as set forth in
     Schedule 2.17 hereto, no Unipath Entity, or any ERISA Affiliate of any
     Unipath Entity, is a party to or participates in or has any liability or
     contingent liability with respect to:



                                     - 23 -


<PAGE>   32



               (i) any "employee welfare benefit plan" or "employee pension
          benefit plan" or "multiemployer plan" (as those terms are respectively
          defined in Sections 3(1), 3(2) and 3(37) of the Employee Retirement
          Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"));

               (ii) any retirement or deferred compensation plan, incentive
          compensation plan, stock plan, unemployment compensation plan,
          vacation pay, severance pay, bonus or benefit arrangement, insurance
          or hospitalization program or any other fringe benefit arrangements
          for any employee, director, consultant or agent, whether pursuant to
          contract, arrangement, custom or informal understanding, which does
          not constitute an "employee benefit plan" (as defined in Section 3(3)
          of ERISA); or

               (iii) any employment agreement not terminable on 30 days' or less
          written notice, without further liability.

     Any plan, arrangement or agreement required to be listed on Schedule 2.17
for which any Unipath Entity or any ERISA Affiliate of any Unipath Entity may
have any liability or contingent liability is sometimes hereinafter referred to
as a "Benefit Plan". For purposes of this Section, the term "ERISA Affiliate"
shall mean any trade or business, whether or not incorporated, that together
with any Unipath Entity would be deemed a "single employer" within the meaning
of Section 4001(b)(i) of ERISA.

          (b) Plan Documents and Reports. A true and correct copy of each of the
     Benefit Plans listed on Schedule 2.17, and all Contracts relating thereto,
     or to the funding thereof, including, without limitation, all trust
     agreements, insurance contracts, investment management agreements,
     subscription and participation agreements and recordkeeping agreements,
     each as in effect on the date hereof, has been supplied to the Purchaser.
     In the case of any Benefit Plan that is not in written form, the Purchaser
     has been supplied with an accurate description of such Benefit Plan as in
     effect on the date hereof. A true and correct copy of the three most recent
     annual reports and accompanying schedules, the three most recent actuarial
     reports, and the most recent summary plan description and Internal Revenue
     Service determination letter with respect to each such Benefit Plan, to the
     extent applicable, and a current schedule of assets (and the fair market
     value thereof assuming liquidation of any asset which is not readily
     tradeable) held with respect to any funded Benefit Plan has been supplied
     to the Purchaser by each Unipath Entity, and there have been no material
     changes in the financial condition in the respective Plans from that stated
     in the annual reports and actuarial reports supplied.

          (c) Compliance with Laws; Liabilities. As to all Benefit Plans, except
     as otherwise specified on Schedule 2.17, each Unipath Entity is in
     compliance in all material respects with the terms of all Benefit plans and
     every Benefit Plan is in compliance with all of the requirements and
     provisions of ERISA and all other laws and regulations applicable thereto,
     including without limitation the timely filing of all annual reports or



                                     - 24 -


<PAGE>   33



     other filings required with respect to such Benefit Plans. None of the
     assets of any Benefit Plan are invested in employer securities or employer
     real property, as those terms are defined in Section 407(d) of ERISA. There
     have been no "prohibited transactions" (as described in Section 406 of
     ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) with respect to any Benefit Plan and no
     Unipath Entity or any ERISA Affiliate of any Unipath Entity has otherwise
     engaged in any prohibited transaction. There has been no "accumulated
     funding deficiency" as defined in Section 302 of ERISA, nor has any
     reportable event as defined in Section 4043(b) of ERISA occurred with
     respect to any Benefit Plan. Actuarially adequate accruals for all
     obligations or contingent obligations under the Benefit Plans are reflected
     in each Unipath Entity's balance sheet for the fiscal year ended June 30,
     1997 included in the Financial Statements provided to the Purchaser and
     such obligations include a pro rata amount of the contributions which would
     otherwise have been made in accordance with past practices for the plan
     years which include the Closing Date.

     2.18 Intellectual Property.

          (a) Except as set forth on Schedule 2.18, no Unipath Entity has a
     trade name, service mark, patent, copyright or trademark related to its
     business.

          (b) Each Unipath Entity has the right to use each Proprietary Right
     listed in Schedule 2.18, and except as otherwise set forth therein, each of
     such Proprietary Rights is, and will be on the Closing Date, free and clear
     of all royalty obligations and Liens. There are no Claims pending or, to
     the best knowledge of any Seller, threatened against any Seller that its
     use of any of the Proprietary Rights listed on Schedule 2.18 infringes the
     rights of any Person. The Sellers have no knowledge of any conflicting use
     of any of such Proprietary Rights.

          (c) No Unipath Entity is a party in any capacity to any franchise,
     license or royalty agreement respecting any Proprietary Right and there is
     no conflict with the rights of others in respect to any Proprietary Right
     now used in the conduct of its business.

          (d) Internal Software Applications.

               (i) Owned Software. To the best knowledge of the Sellers, the
          current software applications used by the Unipath Entities in the
          operation of their business, as set forth and described on Schedule
          2.18(d) hereto (the "Software"), to the extent it has been designed or
          developed by a Unipath Entity's management information or development
          staff or by consultants on such Unipath Entity's behalf, is original
          and capable of copyright protection in the United States, and each
          Unipath Entity has complete rights to and ownership of such Software.
          To the best knowledge of the Sellers, no part of any such Software is
          an imitation or copy of, or infringes upon, the software of any other
          Person or violates or infringes upon any common law or statutory
          rights of any other Person, including, without limitation, rights
          relating to defamation, contractual rights, copyrights,



                                     - 25 -


<PAGE>   34



          trade secrets, and rights of privacy or publicity. No Unipath Entity
          has sold, assigned, licensed, distributed or in any other way disposed
          of or encumbered the Software.

               (ii) Licensed Software. To the best knowledge of the Sellers, the
          Software, to the extent it is licensed from any third party licensor
          or constitutes "off-the-shelf" software, is held by the Unipath
          Entities legitimately and is fully transferable to the Purchaser
          without any third party consent. All of the Unipath Entities' computer
          hardware has legitimately-licensed software installed therein.

               (iii) No Errors; Nonconformity. To the best knowledge of the
          Sellers, the Software is free from any significant software defect or
          programming or documentation error, operates and runs in a reasonable
          and efficient business manner, conforms to the specifications thereof,
          and, with respect to owned Software, the applications can be recreated
          from their associated source code.

     2.19 Environmental Matters. Except as disclosed in Schedule 2.19: (a) no
Unipath Entity's business nor the operation thereof violates any applicable
Environmental Law (as defined in Section 12.3) and no condition or occurrence
(any accident, happening or event which occurs or has occurred at any time prior
to the Closing Date, which results in or could result in a Claim against any
Unipath Entity or the Purchaser or creates or could create a liability or loss
for any Unipath Entity or the Purchaser) which, with notice or the passage of
time or both, would constitute a violation of any Environmental Law; (b) each
Unipath Entity is in possession of all Environmental Permits (as defined in
Section 12.3) required under any applicable Environmental Law for the conduct or
operation of such Unipath Entity's business (or any part thereof), and each
Unipath Entity is in full compliance with all of the requirements and
limitations included in such Environmental Permits; (c) no Unipath Entity has
stored or used any pollutants, contaminants or hazardous or toxic wastes,
substances or materials on or at any property or facility now or previously
owned, leased or operated by such Unipath Entity, except for inventories of
chemicals which are used or to be used in the ordinary course of such Unipath
Entity's business (which inventories have been sorted or used in accordance with
all applicable Environmental Permits and all Environmental Laws, including all
so-called "Right to Know" laws); (d) no Unipath Entity has received any notice
from any Authority or any private Person that such Unipath Entity's business or
the operation of any of its facilities is in violation of any Environmental Law
or any Environmental Permit or that it is responsible (or potentially
responsible) for the cleanup of any pollutants, contaminants, or hazardous or
toxic wastes, substances or materials at, on or beneath any property or facility
now or previously owned, leased or operated by such Unipath Entity, or at, on or
beneath any land adjacent thereto or in connection with any waste or
contamination site; (e) no Unipath Entity is the subject of any Federal, state,
local, or private Claim involving a demand for damages or other potential
liability with respect to a violation of Environmental Laws or under any common
law theories relating to operations or the condition of any facilities or
property (including underlying groundwater) owned, leased, or operated by such
Unipath Entity; (f) no Unipath Entity has buried, dumped, disposed, spilled or
released any pollutants, contaminants or hazardous or toxic wastes, substances



                                     - 26 -


<PAGE>   35



or materials on, beneath or adjacent to any property or facility now or
previously owned, leased or operated by any Unipath Entity, or any property
adjacent thereto; (g) no by-products of any manufacturing or mining process
employed in the operation of any Unipath Entity's business which may constitute
pollutants, contaminants or hazardous or toxic wastes, substances or materials
under any Environmental Law are currently stored or otherwise located on any
property or facility now or previously owned, leased or operated by any Unipath
Entity; (h) no property or facility now or previously owned, leased or operated
by any Unipath Entity, is listed or proposed for listing on the National
Priorities List pursuant to CERCLA, on the CERCLIS or on any other federal or
state list of sites requiring investigation or clean-up; (i) there are no
underground storage tanks, active or abandoned, including petroleum storage
tanks, on or under any property now or previously owned, leased or operated by
any Unipath Entity; (j) no Unipath Entity has directly transported or directly
arranged for the transportation of any Hazardous Material to any location which
is listed or proposed for listing on the National Priorities List pursuant to
CERCLA, on the CERCLIS or on any federal or state list or which is the subject
of federal, state or local enforcement actions or other investigations which may
lead to material Claims against any Unipath Entity for any remedial work, damage
to natural resources or personal injury, including Claims under CERCLA; and (k)
there are no polychlorinated biphenyls, radioactive materials or friable
asbestos present in violation of applicable laws at any property now or
previously owned or leased by any Unipath Entity. Each Unipath Entity has timely
filed all reports required to be filed with respect to all of its property and
facilities and has generated and maintained all required data, documentation and
records under all applicable Environmental Laws.

     2.20 Dealings with Affiliates. Schedule 2.20 hereto sets forth a complete
list, including the parties, of all oral or written Contracts to which each
Unipath Entity is, will be or has been a party, at any time from January 1, 1995
to the Closing Date, and to which any one or more Affiliates is also a party.

     2.21 Banking Arrangements. Schedule 2.21 attached hereto sets forth the
name of each bank in or with which any Unipath Entity has an account, credit
line or safety deposit box, and a brief description of each such account, credit
line or safety deposit box, including the names of all Persons currently
authorized to draw thereon or having access thereto. Except as so noted on
Schedule 2.21, no Unipath Entity has a liability or obligation relating to funds
or money borrowed by or loaned to any Unipath Entity (whether under any credit
facility, line of credit, loan, indenture, advance, pledge or otherwise).

     2.22 Insurance. Schedule 2.22 attached hereto sets forth a list and brief
description, including dollar amounts of coverage, of all policies of fire,
liability, professional liability and other forms of insurance held by any
Unipath Entity as of the date hereof, as well as a schedule of Claims filed with
each Unipath Entity's current insurance carrier, including a history of such
Claims and a description and estimated dollar amount of any unresolved Claims.
Such policies are valid, outstanding and enforceable policies, as to which
premiums have been paid currently. Except as set forth on Schedule 2.22, the
Sellers do not know of any state of facts, or of the occurrence of any event
which might reasonably (a) form the basis for any Claim against a



                                     - 27 -


<PAGE>   36



Unipath Entity not fully covered by insurance for liability on account of any
express or implied warranty or tortious omission or commission, or (b) result in
a material increase in insurance premiums of any Unipath Entity.

     2.23 Consents. Schedule 2.23 annexed hereto sets forth a complete list of
consents of governmental and other regulatory agencies or authorities, foreign
or domestic, required to be received by or on the part of any Unipath Entity or
Seller to enable the Unipath Entities and the Sellers to enter into and carry
out this Agreement in all material respects. All such requisite consents have
been, or prior to the Closing will have been, obtained.

     2.24 Investment Representations. In the event, in connection with this
Agreement or any agreement or transaction contemplated hereby, AmeriPath offers
or sells, or is deemed to offer or sell, any securities of AmeriPath to a
Unipath Entity or Seller, then each Seller hereby represents and warrants to
AmeriPath as follows:

          (a) Each has been offered, and up to the Closing Date and the time(s)
     of issuance of the AmeriPath Stock shall be offered, the opportunity to ask
     questions of, and receive answers from, AmeriPath and its Subsidiaries, and
     each has been given full and complete access to all available information
     and data relating to the business and assets of AmeriPath and its
     Subsidiaries, has obtained such additional information about AmeriPath and
     its Subsidiaries which such Person has deemed necessary in order to
     evaluate the opportunities, both financial and otherwise, with respect to
     AmeriPath and, except as set forth herein, have not relied on any
     representation, warranty or other statement concerning the Purchaser and
     its Subsidiaries in their evaluation of the decision to consummate the
     transactions contemplated herein. Each Seller has reviewed the information
     included in Exhibit 3.6, attached hereto. On the basis of the foregoing,
     each Seller is familiar with the operations, business plans and financial
     condition of AmeriPath.

          (b) Each understands that he or she must bear the economic risk of the
     AmeriPath Stock, if and when issued to such Person, for an indefinite
     period of time because, except as provided in this Agreement, (i) each
     Person understands that AmeriPath proposes to issue and deliver the shares
     of AmeriPath Stock issuable in accordance with this Agreement, without
     compliance with the registration requirements of the Securities Act of
     1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") or the Securities Act of Texas,
     that for such purpose AmeriPath will rely upon the representations,
     warranties, covenants and agreements contained in this Section, as well as
     any additional representations, warranties, covenants, agreements and
     certifications of a similar nature requested by AmeriPath to be delivered
     by the Sellers at such time(s) of issuance or reissuance of the AmeriPath
     Stock; and that such noncompliance with registration is not permissible
     unless such representations and warranties are correct and such covenants
     and agreements are performed at and as of the time of issuance; (ii) each
     Seller understands that, under existing rules of the Securities and
     Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), there are substantial restrictions in the
     transferability of its shares of AmeriPath Stock; its shares of AmeriPath
     Stock may be transferred only if registered under the Securities Act or if



                                     - 28 -


<PAGE>   37



     an exemption from such registration is available; a Seller may not be able
     to avail itself of the provisions of Rule 144 promulgated by the SEC under
     the Securities Act with respect to the transfer of such shares; (iii) the
     AmeriPath Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, or otherwise
     disposed of except in compliance with this Agreement and the Shareholders'
     Agreement and the receipt by AmeriPath of an opinion of counsel for or
     satisfactory to AmeriPath that registration under the Securities Act or any
     applicable state securities laws is not required; and (iv) AmeriPath
     neither has an obligation to register a sale of the AmeriPath Stock held by
     any Seller nor has it agreed to do so in the future.

          (c) Each Seller is an "accredited investor", as such term is defined
     in Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act in that
     each Seller, as of the date of this Agreement, either (a) (either
     individually or jointly with such Seller's spouse) has a net worth in
     excess of $1,000,000; or (b) had an individual income in excess of $200,000
     in each of the two most recent years or joint income with such Seller's
     spouse in excess of $300,000 in each of those years, and reasonably expects
     reaching the same income level in the current year.

          (d) Each Seller is a sophisticated investor familiar with the type of
     risks inherent in the acquisition of securities such as the shares of
     AmeriPath Stock and such Seller's financial position is such that such the
     Seller can afford to retain his shares of AmeriPath Stock for an indefinite
     period of time without realizing any direct or indirect cash return on such
     Seller's investment.

          (e) Each Seller received this Agreement and first learned of the
     transactions contemplated hereby in Texas. Each Seller executed and will
     execute all documents contemplated hereby in Texas, and each Seller is a
     natural person and a resident of Texas.

          (f) Each Seller is acquiring his shares of AmeriPath Stock for such
     Seller's own account and not with a view to, or for sale in connection
     with, the distribution thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act.

          (g) Each Seller understands that the certificates evidencing his
     shares of AmeriPath Stock, when and if issued, will bear appropriate
     restrictive legends.

     2.25 Accounts Receivable; Inventories. The accounts receivable of each
Unipath Entity reflected on Schedule 2.25 attached hereto on the date hereof are
good and collectible except to the extent reserved against thereon (which
reserves have been determined based upon actual prior experience and are
consistent with prior practice). All such accounts receivable (except to the
extent so reserved against) are valid, genuine and subsisting, arise out of bona
fide sales and deliveries of goods, performance of services or other business
transactions and are not subject to defenses, set-offs or counterclaims. The
inventories reflected on the balance sheets included in the Financial
Statements, and the inventories held by each Unipath Entity on the date hereof,
(i) do not include any items which are not usable or saleable in the ordinary
course of business of



                                     - 29 -


<PAGE>   38



each Unipath Entity, and (ii) have been reflected on such balance sheets at the
lower of cost or market value (taking into account the usability or salability
thereof), in accordance with GAAP. All such inventories are owned free and clear
and are not subject to any Lien except to the extent reserved against or
reflected in the Financial Statements. Since June 30, 1997, inventories and
supplies have been purchased by each Unipath Entity in the ordinary course of
business, consistent with anticipated seasonal requirements, and the volumes of
purchases thereof and orders therefor have not been reduced or otherwise changed
in anticipation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

     2.26 Brokerage. Neither any Unipath Entity nor any Seller has employed any
broker, finder, advisor, consultant or other intermediary in connection with
this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement who is or
might be entitled to any fee, commission or other compensation from any Unipath
Entity or any Seller, or from the Purchaser or its Affiliates, upon or as a
result of the execution of this Agreement or the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby; provided, however, that the Sellers have
engaged Wellington Associates, Inc. (the "Broker"), to act as broker and
financial consultant in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, and in the event the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are
consummated, the Broker shall be entitled to a fee, to be paid by the Sellers,
of $934,500. The Sellers are solely responsible for paying any and all fees and
expenses of the Broker, and shall indemnify and hold harmless the Purchaser from
any expense, Claim or liability therefor.

     2.27 Improper and Other Payments. Except as set forth on Schedule 2.27
hereto, (a) neither any Unipath Entity nor any Seller, director, officer, or
employee thereof, nor, to each Seller's knowledge, any agent or representative
of any Unipath Entity or any Person acting on behalf of any of them, has made,
paid or received any bribes, kickbacks or other similar payments to or from any
Person or Authority; (b) no contributions have been made, directly or
indirectly, to a domestic or foreign political party or candidate in excess of
$1,000 since June 30, 1995; (c) no improper foreign payment (as defined in the
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act) has been made; and (d) the internal accounting
controls of each Unipath Entity are believed by each Seller to be adequate to
detect any of the foregoing under current circumstances.

     2.28 Participation in Audits. Except as set forth in Schedule 2.28, no
Unipath Entity has been informed of any Recoupment Claims (as hereinafter
defined) arising in connection with audits or reviews conducted by Medicaid,
Medicare or private insurance companies. To the best of the knowledge of each
Seller, there is no basis for any Recoupment Claims based upon cost reports,
claims or bills submitted or to be submitted in connection with services
rendered by any Unipath Entity or Seller. For purposes of this Section 2.28 the
term "Recoupment Claim" shall mean any recoupment or overpayment, set-off,
penalty or fine, pending or, to the knowledge of each Unipath Entity and each
Seller, threatened by any third-party payor or governmental authority having
jurisdiction over any Unipath Entity for amounts arising from or related to
payments to any Unipath Entity for services rendered prior to the Closing.



                                     - 30 -


<PAGE>   39


     2.29 Healthcare Laws & Regulations.

          (a) Fraud and Abuse. Except as set forth on Schedule 2.29(a), to the
     best of each Seller's knowledge, neither any Unipath Entity, nor any of
     their officers, directors, employees, shareholders or providers, have
     engaged in any activities which are prohibited under federal Medicaid
     statues, 42 U.S.C. Section 1320a-7a and 7b, or the regulations promulgated
     pursuant to such statutes or related state or local statutes or regulations
     or which are prohibited by rules of professional conduct or which otherwise
     could constitute fraud, including but not limited to the following: (i)
     making or causing to be made a false statement or representation of a
     material fact in any application for any benefit or payment; (ii) making or
     causing to be made any false statement or representation of a material fact
     for use in determining rights to any benefit or payment; (iii) failing to
     disclose knowledge by a claimant of the occurrence of any event affecting
     the initial or continued right to any benefit or payment on its behalf or
     on behalf of another, with intent to secure such benefit or payment
     fraudulently; and (iv) soliciting, paying or receiving any remuneration
     (including any kickback, bribe, or rebate), directly or indirectly, overtly
     or covertly, in cash or in kind or offering to pay such enumeration (a) in
     return for referring an individual to a Person for the furnishing or
     arranging for the furnishing of any item or service for which payment may
     be made in whole or in part by Medicare or Medicaid, or (b) in return for
     purchasing, leasing, or ordering or arranging for or recommending
     purchasing, leasing, or ordering any good, facility, service, or item for
     which payment may be made in whole or in part by Medicaid; subject, in the
     case of (iv) to the lack of clarity in the law relating to the marketing of
     Medicare risk products by brokers.

          (b) Third-Party Payors. All Contracts with third-party payors were
     entered into by the Unipath Entities in the ordinary course of business.
     Each Unipath Entity will have made available to the Purchaser, as of the
     Closing Date, an accurate and complete list of all third-party payors which
     have agreements with any Unipath Entity (as set forth on Schedule 2.29(b)),
     together with accurate and complete copies of all such Contracts. Except as
     set forth on Schedule 2.29(b), each Unipath Entity is in compliance with
     each third-party payor's Contract, and each Unipath Entity has properly
     charged and billed in accordance with the terms of those Contracts,
     including, where applicable, billing and collection of all deductibles and
     co-payments.

          (c) Compliance with Medicare and Medicaid Programs. Each Unipath
     Entity has timely and accurately filed all requisite claims and other
     reports required to be filed in connection with all state and federal
     Medicare and Medicaid programs in which any Unipath Entity participates due
     on or before the Closing Date except to the extent that the failure to file
     such claims and reports would not result in a Material Adverse Effect to
     any Unipath Entity. Except as set forth on Schedule 2.29(c) hereto, there
     are no Claims pending or, to any Seller's knowledge, threatened or
     scheduled before any Authority, including without limitation, any
     intermediary, carrier, the Administrator of the Health Care Financing
     Administration, the Texas Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services,
     the Agency for Healthcare Administration or any other state or federal
     agency with respect to any Medicare and Medicaid claim filed by any Unipath
     Entity on or before



                                     - 31 -


<PAGE>   40



     the Closing Date, or program compliance matters, which would have a
     Material Adverse Effect on any Unipath Entity, or its assets, the
     operations or utility thereof, or the consummation of the transactions
     contemplated hereby. Each Unipath Entity has delivered to the Purchaser
     accurate and complete copies of any Claims, actions or appeals listed on
     Schedule 2.29(c). Except for routinely scheduled reviews pursuant to each
     Unipath Entity's Medicare and Medicaid Contracts, no valid review or
     program integrity review related to the Unipath Entities has been conducted
     by any Authority in connection with the Medicare or Medicaid programs and
     no such review is scheduled, or to any Seller's knowledge, pending or
     threatened against or affecting any Unipath Entity, its business, assets,
     or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

          (d) Rate Limitations and Rates. Each facility currently operated by
     the Unipath Entities charges rates and accordingly bills for services which
     are legal and proper, and each Unipath Entity's standard and Medicare rates
     are set forth on Schedule 2.29(d). Certain reimbursement rates established
     by third-party payors are subject to retrospective adjustment, which
     adjustments are set forth on said Schedule 2.29(d).

          (e) Reimbursement Documentation. Each Unipath Entity has filed when
     due any and all cost reports and other documentation and reports, if any,
     required to be filed by third-party payors and governmental agencies in
     compliance with applicable contractual provisions and/or laws, regulations
     and rules.

          (f) Patient Referrals. No Person having a "financial relationship"
     with any Unipath Entity, as that term is defined in 42 U.S.C. Section
     1395nn, is in a position, directly or indirectly, to refer patients or
     services to any Unipath Entity, other than referrals which comply with (or
     are exempt from) the requirements of 42 U.S.C. Section 1395nn and the
     regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.

     2.30 INTENTIONALLY DELETED.

     2.31 Capitalization. As of the date hereof, the authorized capital stock of
each MDPA and each S Corp is as set forth on Schedule 1.1 hereto. The stock
record book of each MDPA and each S Corp has been delivered to the Purchaser for
inspection prior to the date hereof and is complete and correct, and all
requisite Federal and State documentary stamps have been affixed thereon and
canceled. The MD Stock constitutes all of the issued and outstanding shares of
capital stock of the MDPAs; and all of the MD Stock is owned beneficially and of
record by the parties executing this Agreement, and no one else. The S Corp
Shares constitute all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of
the S Corps, and all of the S Corp Shares are owned beneficially and of record
by the parties executing this Agreement, and no one else.

     2.32 Title to Stock. All of the issued and outstanding shares of the
capital stock of the MDPAs and the S Corps are, and at the Closing will be,
owned by the Sellers (in the amounts and as set forth in Schedule 1.1 hereto),
are duly authorized, validly issued and fully paid, nonassessable, and are free
of all Liens. Upon delivery of the Purchase Price to the Sellers at



                                     - 32 -


<PAGE>   41



the Closing, each Seller will convey, and the Purchaser will own and hold, good
and marketable title to the Stock, free and clear of all Liens or contractual
restrictions or limitations whatsoever, except those put in place by the
Purchaser.

     2.33 Options and Rights. There are no outstanding subscriptions, options,
warrants, rights, securities, contracts, commitments, understandings or
arrangements under which any MDPA, any S Corp or any Seller is bound or
obligated to issue any additional shares of its capital stock or rights to
purchase shares of its capital stock. There are no agreements, arrangements or
understandings between any Seller and/or any MDPA or any S Corp and any other
Person regarding the Stock (or the transfer, disposition, holding or voting
thereof).


                                   ARTICLE III

                 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER

     The Purchaser represents and warrants to the Sellers as follows:

     3.1 Corporate Organization, etc. The Purchaser is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its
jurisdiction of incorporation with full corporate power and authority to carry
on its business as it is now being conducted and to own, operate and lease its
properties and assets. The Purchaser is duly qualified or licensed to do
business in good standing in every jurisdiction in which the conduct of its
business, the ownership or lease of its properties, or the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, require it to be so qualified or licensed and
the failure to be so qualified or licensed would have a Material Adverse Effect
on its business.

     3.2 Authorization, Etc. The Purchaser has full corporate power and
authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the transactions
contemplated hereby. The Board of Directors of the Purchaser has duly authorized
the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Contingent Notes
and the other agreements and transactions contemplated hereby, and no other
corporate proceedings on its part are necessary to authorize this Agreement and
the transactions contemplated hereby. Upon execution and delivery of this
Agreement by the parties hereto this Agreement shall, and upon issuance of the
Contingent Notes in accordance with the provisions hereof the Contingent Notes
shall, constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Purchaser,
enforceable against the Purchaser in accordance with their respective terms.

     3.3 No Violation. The execution, delivery and performance by the Purchaser
of this Agreement, and all other agreements contemplated hereby, and the
fulfillment of and compliance with the respective terms hereof and thereof by
the Purchaser, do not and will not (a) conflict with or result in a material
breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, (b) result in a violation of,
or (c) require any authorization, consent, approval, exemption or other action
by or notice to any Authority pursuant to, the certificate of incorporation or
by-laws of the Purchaser, or any Regulation to which the Purchaser is subject,
or any material Contract or Order to which



                                     - 33 -

<PAGE>   42



the Purchaser or its properties are subject. The Purchaser will comply with all
applicable Regulations and Orders in connection with its execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

     3.4 Governmental Authorities. The Purchaser has complied in all material
respects with all applicable Regulations in connection with its execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement and the agreements and transactions
contemplated hereby. The Purchaser is not required to submit any notice, report,
or other filing with any governmental authority in connection with its execution
or delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby. No authorization, consent, approval, exemption or notice is
required to be obtained by the Purchaser in connection with the execution,
delivery, and performance of this Agreement and the agreements and transactions
contemplated hereby.

     3.5 Issuance of AmeriPath Stock. The shares of AmeriPath Stock required to
be issued by AmeriPath to the Sellers, in accordance with the terms and subject
to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, shall, upon issuance and
delivery, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

     3.6 Information Regarding AmeriPath. The information attached hereto as
Exhibit 3.6, taken as a whole, is true and correct in all material respects, and
does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit a material fact
necessary to make each statement contained therein not misleading. The financial
statements contained in Exhibit 3.6 fairly present the financial condition of
the Purchaser. The Sellers, in executing, delivering and consummating this
Agreement, have relied and will rely upon the correctness and completeness of
each of the foregoing representations and warranties, as well as the information
included in Exhibit 3.6, notwithstanding any independent investigation.


                                   ARTICLE IV

                            COVENANTS OF THE SELLERS

     From the date hereof until the Closing, except as otherwise consented to or
approved by the Purchaser in writing, each Seller covenants and agrees that it
shall act, and the Sellers shall cause each Unipath Entity so to act or refrain
from acting where required hereinafter, to comply with the following:

     4.1 Regular Course of Business. Each Unipath Entity shall operate its
business diligently and in good faith and in the ordinary and usual course,
consistent with past management practices; shall maintain all of its respective
properties in good order and condition, shall maintain (except for expiration
due to lapse of time) all leases and Contracts in effect without change except
as expressly provided herein; shall comply with the provisions of all
Regulations and Orders applicable to any Unipath Entity and the conduct of its
business; shall not cancel, release, waive or compromise any debt, Claim or
right in its favor (except in



                                     - 34 -

<PAGE>   43



exchange for payment thereof or as bad debt in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practices); shall not alter the rate or basis of
compensation of any of its officers, directors, employees or consultants; shall
maintain insurance and reinsurance coverage as in effect on the date hereof up
to the Closing Date; and shall preserve the business of each Unipath Entity
intact, and use its best efforts to keep available for each Unipath Entity and
the Purchaser the services of the officers and employees of each Unipath Entity,
and to preserve the good will of clients, patients, suppliers and others having
business relations with the Unipath Entities. Each Seller and each Unipath
Entity will comply with all applicable Contracts, Regulations and Orders in
connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and
the transactions contemplated hereby.

     4.2 Amendments. Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, no change
or amendment shall be made in the articles of incorporation, by-laws,
partnership agreement, articles of organization or other organizational
documents of any Unipath Entity, and no Unipath Entity shall merge with or into
or consolidate with any other corporation or Person, acquire substantially all
of the assets of any Person or change the character of its business. Each MDPA,
and each of AMPA and Metro, P.A., shall merge with and into a regular Texas
business corporation prior to the Closing to effectuate and permit the
acquisition of the Stock by the Purchaser.

     4.3 Capital Changes; Pledges. Except as expressly set forth in this
Agreement, no Unipath Entity shall issue or sell any shares of its capital stock
of any class or issue or sell any securities convertible into, or options,
warrants to purchase or rights to subscribe to, any shares of its capital stock;
no Unipath Entity shall issue or sell any interests in or to any of its
partnership or other interests or issue or sell any securities convertible into,
or options, warrants to purchase or rights to subscribe to, any such interests;
and the Unipath Entities shall not pledge or otherwise encumber any shares of
their capital stock or any of their partnership or limited liability corporation
interests.

     4.4 Dividends. No Unipath Entity shall declare, pay or set aside for
payment any dividend or other distribution in respect of its capital stock or
partnership interests, nor shall any Unipath Entity, directly or indirectly,
redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire any shares of its capital stock or
partnership interests.

     4.5 Capital and Other Expenditures. No Unipath Entity shall make any
capital expenditures, or commitments with respect thereto.

     4.6 Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents shall be
preserved, and expended, solely in the ordinary and usual course of business, in
compliance with this Section. At and as of the Closing, the Unipath Entities, in
the aggregate, shall have a cash balance of not less than $100,000 plus an
amount to cover any accounts payable on hand at the close of business on August
28, 1997. It is understood and agreed that AmeriPath, through its purchase of
the Unipath Entities, is purchasing and acquiring all accounts receivable of the
Unipath Entities and no accounts payable on hand on the close of business on
August 28, 1997. Other than for a



                                     - 35 -

<PAGE>   44



breach of this representation by the Sellers, there shall be no adjustments with
respect hereto after the Closing.

     4.7 Borrowing. No Unipath Entity shall incur, assume or guarantee any
indebtedness, obligations or liabilities not reflected on the Financial
Statements (or the balance sheets included therein) except in the ordinary
course of business or for purposes of consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and in any case only after consultation with the
Purchaser.

     4.8 Other Commitments. Except as set forth in this Agreement, incurred or
transacted in the ordinary course of business, or permitted in writing by the
Purchaser, no Unipath Entity shall enter into any transaction or make any
commitment or incur any obligation (including entering into any real property
leases).

     4.9 Interim Financial Information. The Sellers and the Unipath Entities
shall supply the Purchaser with unaudited financial statements (including,
without limitation, balance sheets and Income Statements) and information for
each calendar month, promptly following the conclusion of such month, and as the
Purchaser may otherwise reasonably request.

     4.10 Full Access and Disclosure.

          (a) Each Unipath Entity shall afford to the Purchaser and its counsel,
     accountants and other authorized representatives reasonable access during
     business hours to each Unipath Entity's facilities, properties, books and
     records in order that the Purchaser may have full opportunity to make such
     reasonable investigations as it shall desire to make of the affairs of each
     Unipath Entity; and the Sellers shall cause each Unipath Entity's officers,
     employees and auditors to furnish such additional financial and operating
     data and other information as the Purchaser shall from time to time
     reasonably request including, without limitation, any internal control
     recommendations applicable to any Unipath Entity made by any Unipath
     Entity's independent auditors in connection with any examination of any
     Unipath Entity's Financial Statements and books and records.

          (b) From time to time prior to the Closing Date, each Unipath Entity
     shall promptly supplement or amend information previously delivered to the
     Purchaser with respect to any matter hereafter arising which, if existing
     or occurring at the date of this Agreement, would have been required to be
     set forth herein or disclosed.

          (c) In connection with any "due diligence" examination performed by
     the Purchaser with respect to the business of any Unipath Entity, the
     Sellers shall fully cooperate.

     4.11 Confidentiality. Each Seller and each Unipath Entity shall, and shall
cause its principals, officers and other personnel and authorized
representatives to, hold in confidence, and not disclose to any other party
without the Purchaser's prior consent, all written and oral



                                     - 36 -

<PAGE>   45



information furnished or disclosed by or received from the Purchaser or its
officers, directors, employees, agents, counsel and auditors in connection with
the transactions contemplated hereby except as may be required by applicable law
or as otherwise contemplated herein.

     4.12 Breach of Agreement. Neither any Seller nor any Unipath Entity shall
take any action which, if taken on or prior to the Closing Date, would
constitute a breach of this Agreement.

     4.13 Fulfillment of Conditions Precedent. Each Unipath Entity and each
Seller shall use its best efforts to obtain at its expense, on or prior to the
Closing, all such waivers, Permits, consents, approvals or other authorizations
from third parties and Authorities, and to do all things as may be necessary or
desirable in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in
order to fully and expeditiously consummate the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.

     4.14 Banking Arrangements. Each Unipath Entity shall open such bank
accounts as directed by AmeriPath and shall transfer all funds to such accounts,
all in accordance with the Purchaser's credit facility.


                                    ARTICLE V

                           COVENANTS OF THE PURCHASER

     The Purchaser hereby covenants and agrees with each Seller and each Seller
that prior to the Closing or the termination of this Agreement:

     5.1 Confidentiality. The Purchaser shall, and shall cause its principals,
officers and other personnel and authorized representatives to, hold in
confidence, and not disclose to any other party without the Unipath Entities'
prior consent, all information received by it from the Sellers or from any of
the Unipath Entities' officers, directors, employees, agents, counsel and
auditors in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby except as may
be required by applicable law or as otherwise contemplated herein.

     5.2 Full Access and Disclosure.

          (a) The Purchaser shall afford to each Unipath Entity and each Seller,
     and their counsel, accountants and other authorized representatives
     reasonable access during business hours to the Purchaser's facilities,
     properties, books and records in order that the Unipath Entities and the
     Sellers may have full opportunity to make such reasonable investigations as
     they shall desire to make of the affairs of the Purchaser; and the
     Purchaser shall cause its officers, employees and auditors to furnish such
     additional financial and operating data and other information as the
     Unipath Entities and the Sellers shall from time to time reasonably request
     including, without limitation, any internal



                                     - 37 -

<PAGE>   46



     control recommendations applicable to the Purchaser made by the Purchaser's
     independent auditors in connection with any examination of the Purchaser's
     financial statements and books and records.

          (b) From time to time prior to the Closing Date, the Purchaser shall
     promptly supplement or amend information previously delivered to the
     Unipath Entities and/or the Sellers with respect to any matter hereafter
     arising which, if existing or occurring at the date of this Agreement,
     would have been required to be set forth herein or disclosed.

          (c) The Purchaser shall fully cooperate in connection with any "due
     diligence" examination performed by the Unipath Entities with respect to
     the business of the Purchaser. For purposes of this Section 5.2,
     "Purchaser" shall mean and include AmeriPath and its Subsidiaries.


                                   ARTICLE VI

                                OTHER AGREEMENTS

     The parties hereto further agree, on or before the Closing Date, as
follows:

     6.1 Further Assurances. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, each of the parties hereto shall use its best efforts to take, or
cause to be taken, all action, and to do, or cause to be done, all things
necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Regulations to consummate and
make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. In furtherance
and not in limitation of the preceding sentence, the parties hereto shall use
their best efforts to cause the Closing to take place on September 2, 1997. If
at any time after the Closing Date the Purchaser shall consider or be advised
that any further deeds, assignments or assurances in law or in any other things
are necessary, desirable or proper to vest, perfect or confirm, of record or
otherwise, in the Purchaser (or in the 501(a) or any Unipath Entity, as
appropriate), the title to any property or rights of the Unipath Entities
acquired or to be acquired by reason of, or as a result of, the acquisition, the
Sellers agree that the Sellers shall execute and deliver all such proper deeds,
assignments and assurances in law and do all things necessary, desirable or
proper to vest, perfect or confirm title to such property or rights in the
Assets and otherwise to carry out the purpose of this Agreement.

     6.2 Agreement to Defend. In the event any action, suit, proceeding or
investigation of the nature specified in Sections 7.2 or 8.2 is commenced,
whether before or after the Closing Date, all the parties hereto agree to
cooperate and use their best efforts to defend against and respond thereto.

     6.3 Consents. Without limiting the generality of Section 6.1, each of the
parties hereto shall use their best efforts to obtain all permits,
authorizations, consents and approvals of all Persons and governmental
authorities necessary in connection with the consummation of the



                                     - 38 -

<PAGE>   47



transactions contemplated by this Agreement prior to the Closing Date. With
respect to every material Contract of the Unipath Entities, even those Contracts
for which a consent or approval is not required under the terms of such
Contract, upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement, each party to each
such Contract shall, after consultation with and coordination by AmeriPath, be
advised of the transaction contemplated hereby.

     6.4 No Solicitation or Negotiation. Unless and until this Agreement is
terminated, neither the Sellers nor the Unipath Entities, through their
directors, officers, employees, representatives, agents, advisors, accountants
and attorneys shall initiate, solicit or encourage, directly or indirectly, any
inquiries or the making of any proposal with respect to, or engage in
negotiations concerning, or provide any confidential information or data to any
Person with respect to, or have any discussions with any Persons relating to,
any acquisition, business combination or purchase of all or any significant
asset of, or any equity interest in, any Unipath Entity, or otherwise facilitate
any effort or attempt to do or seek any of the foregoing, and shall immediately
cease and cause to be terminated any existing activities, discussions or
negotiations with any parties conducted heretofore with respect to any of the
foregoing. Should any Unipath Entity or any Seller be contacted with respect to
any offer, inquiry or proposal, such Unipath Entity or Seller shall immediately
advise the Purchaser in writing of the name, address and phone number of the
contact and the nature of the inquiry.

     6.5 No Termination of the Sellers' Obligations by Subsequent Incapacity,
Etc. Each Seller specifically agrees that the obligations of such Seller
hereunder, including, without limitation, obligations pursuant to Article XII
and Section 6.4 shall not be terminated by the death or incapacity of any
Seller.

     6.6 Employment Agreements. Each Seller shall, at or prior to the Closing,
terminate the existing employment agreement between such Unipath Entity and such
Sellers employed by such Unipath Entity and each Seller shall enter into an
Employment Agreement with the 5.01(a) in the form of Exhibit 6.6 attached
hereto.

     6.7 Public Announcements. Neither the Purchaser, any Seller, any Unipath
Entity nor any Affiliate, representative or shareholder of any of such Persons,
shall disclose any of the terms of this Agreement to any third party (other than
the Purchaser's advisors and senior lending group and the Sellers' advisors)
without the other party's prior written consent unless required by any
applicable law. The form, content and timing of any and all press releases,
public announcements or publicity statements (except for any disclosures under
or pursuant to Federal or State securities laws in connection with the
registration of AmeriPath's securities or otherwise) with respect to this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be subject to the prior
approval of the Purchaser. No press releases, public announcements or publicity
statements shall be released by either party without such prior mutual
agreement.

     The parties hereto further agree, from and after the Closing Date, as
follows:



                                     - 39 -

<PAGE>   48



     6.8 Operational Guidelines and Covenants Related to Contingent Notes.
AmeriPath agrees that during the period following Closing through the earlier of
(A) the date the Contingent Notes are paid in full (solely to the extent
prepaid, or earned and payable at maturity) or (B) August 31, 2002 (the
"Contingency Period"), the Business shall be operated substantially in the same
manner as such business was conducted by the Unipath Entities prior to Closing.
In furtherance thereof, during each 12 month period during the Contingency
Period, so long as Operating Earnings exceed $6,230,000 for the previous 12
month period, AmeriPath agrees as follows:

          (a) The Physician Committee, except as otherwise provided herein or in
     the Employment Agreements, shall manage and control hiring, firing,
     staffing, scheduling, compensation, benefits (including sick leave and
     holidays) and fees with respect to the Business, consistent with the
     policies and procedures adopted from time to time by AmeriPath.

          (b) Except as otherwise provided herein, neither AmeriPath nor any
     Affiliate of AmeriPath shall interfere with the conduct of the Business, or
     otherwise prevent the Business from operating its business in the ordinary
     and usual course so that the Sellers have every opportunity to achieve the
     maximum level of Operating Earnings.

     6.9 Non-Competition Covenant.

          (a) As a material and valuable inducement for the Purchaser to enter
     into this Agreement, pay and deliver the Purchase Price consideration and
     consummate the transactions provided for herein, during the "Restricted
     Period" (as hereinafter defined), each Seller agrees, unless otherwise
     permitted by AmeriPath in writing, that he or she shall not, directly or
     indirectly, alone or as a partner, officer, director, employee, consultant,
     agent, independent contractor, member or stockholder of any Person, engage
     in the practice of pathology at, with or for any medical facility,
     laboratory or healthcare provider in which AmeriPath, or any Affiliate of
     AmeriPath (each, an "AmeriPath Entity"), is then doing business or
     providing services or has done business or provided service within the
     preceding twelve (12) month period or for which an AmeriPath Entity is
     actively negotiating to provide services (i.e., has had two or more
     meetings regarding that subject).

          (b) As used in this Agreement, the term "Restricted Period" shall mean
     and include the longer of (x) a period of seven (7) years, from the Closing
     to the seventh (7th) anniversary of the Closing, and (y) during such time
     as the Seller is employed by an AmeriPath Entity and for a period of one
     (1) year following the effective date of any termination of such Seller's
     employment with any such AmeriPath Entity (regardless of the cause, reason
     or justification of any such termination); provided, however:

               (i) in the event of a termination of Seller's employment without
          "cause" pursuant to Sections 15(c) and 15(d) of the Employment
          Agreement, if the



                                     - 40 -

<PAGE>   49



          AmeriPath Entity fails to make payment of the amount(s) required to be
          paid under Section 15(c) thereof, and such failure shall continue
          uncured for a period of more than ninety (90) days following notice
          from the Sellers, then the Restricted Period shall be reduced to a
          period of zero (0) days; or

               (ii) in the event AmeriPath fails to pay the amount of principal
          or interest which becomes and is due and payable under the Contingent
          Note held by the Seller or if the Seller is not paid his or her salary
          under such Seller's Employment Agreement, and such failure or
          non-payment shall continue uncured for a period of more than sixty
          (60) days following notice from such Seller, then the Restricted
          Period shall be reduced to a period of zero (0) days.

               (c) Each Seller further agrees that during the Restricted Period
          which follows any termination of the Seller's employment with any
          AmeriPath Entity, the Sellers will not, directly or indirectly, (i)
          solicit the employment of any employee, agent or consultant of any
          AmeriPath Entity who was such at any time during the twelve (12)
          months preceding the Seller's termination of employment with the
          AmeriPath Entity, or (ii) induce any employee of an AmeriPath Entity
          to leave the employ of any such AmeriPath Entity, or (iii) solicit any
          Payor contracts from any Payor of an AmeriPath Entity, or otherwise
          interfere with any such Payor, or (iv) solicit or otherwise interfere
          with any referral sources of any Ameripath Entity, unless in each case
          the Seller obtains the prior written consent of AmeriPath.

               (d) Each Seller covenants and agrees that the restrictions set
          forth in this Section 6.9 are fair, reasonable and necessary to
          protect the interests of AmeriPath and its Affiliates, such
          restrictions were negotiated and bargained for and the consideration
          delivered in connection with this Agreement reflects and assumes each
          Seller's strict compliance with, and the enforceability by the
          Purchaser of, these restrictions.

               (e) Each Seller acknowledges and agrees that the provisions of
          Section 6.9 and Section 6.10 are material and of the essence to this
          Agreement. In addition, if the scope of any restriction or covenant
          contained in either such Section should be or become too broad or
          extensive to permit enforcement thereof to its fullest extent, then
          such restriction or covenant shall be enforced to the maximum extent
          permitted by law, and the Seller hereby consents and agrees that (i)
          it is the parties intention and agreement that the covenants and
          restrictions contained herein be enforced as written, and (ii) in the
          event a court of competent jurisdiction should determine that any
          restriction or covenant contained herein is too broad or extensive to
          permit enforcement thereof to its fullest extent, the scope of any
          such restriction or covenant may be modified accordingly in any
          judicial proceeding brought to enforce such restriction or covenant,
          but should be modified to permit enforcement of the restrictions and
          covenants contained herein to the maximum extent the court, in its
          judgment, will permit.



                                     - 41 -

<PAGE>   50


     6.10 Non-disclosure; Confidentiality.

          (a) Confidential Information. By virtue of each Seller's employment,
     association or involvement with an AmeriPath Entity, each Seller may obtain
     confidential or proprietary information developed, or to be developed, by
     an AmeriPath Entity. "Confidential Information" means all proprietary or
     business-sensitive information, whether in oral, written, graphic,
     machine-readable or tangible form, and whether or not registered, and
     including all notes, plans, records, documents and other evidence thereof,
     including but not limited to all: patents, patent applications, copyrights,
     trademarks, trade names, service marks, service names, "know-how," patient
     lists, details of client or consulting contracts, pricing policies,
     operational methods, marketing plans or strategies, product development
     techniques or plans, procurement and sales activities, promotion and
     pricing techniques, credit and financial data concerning customers,
     business acquisition plans or any portion or phase of any scientific or
     technical information, discoveries, computer software or programs used or
     developed in whole or in part by any AmeriPath Entity (including source or
     object codes), processes, procedures, formulas or improvements of any
     AmeriPath Entity; algorithms; computer processing systems and techniques;
     price lists; customer lists; procedures; improvements, concepts and ideas;
     business plans and proposals; technical plans and proposals; research and
     development; budgets and projections; technical memoranda, research
     reports, designs and specifications; new product and service developments;
     comparative analyses of competitive products, services and operating
     procedures; and other information, data and documents now existing or later
     acquired by an AmeriPath Entity, regardless of whether any of such
     information, data or documents qualify as a "trade secret" under applicable
     Federal or State law. "Confidential Information" shall not include (i) any
     information which is in the public domain during the period of service by
     the Sellers or becomes public thereafter, provided such information is not
     in the public domain as a consequence of disclosure by any Seller in
     violation of this Agreement, and (ii) any information not considered
     confidential information by similar enterprises operating in the clinical
     or anatomical laboratory industry or otherwise in the ordinary course.

          (b) Non-Disclosure. Each Seller agrees that, except as directed by
     such Seller's employer, as required or otherwise contemplated under this
     Agreement or the Employment Agreement or as otherwise required by law, he
     or she will not at any time (during the term of such the Seller's
     employment by an AmeriPath Entity or at any time thereafter), except as may
     be expressly authorized by the AmeriPath Entity in writing, disclose to any
     Person or use any Confidential Information whatsoever for any purpose
     whatsoever, or permit any Person whatsoever to examine and/or make copies
     of any reports or any documents or software (whether in written form or
     stored on magnetic, optical or other mass storage media) prepared by him or
     that come into his possession or under his control by reason of his or her
     employment by an AmeriPath Entity or by reason of any consulting or
     software development services he has performed or may in the future perform
     for an AmeriPath Entity which contain or are derived from Confidential
     Information. Each Seller further agrees that while employed at an AmeriPath
     Entity, no Confidential Information shall be removed from the AmeriPath
     Entity's business premises, without the prior written consent of such
     AmeriPath Entity.



                                     - 42 -

<PAGE>   51



          (c) AmeriPath Group Property. As used in this Agreement, the term
     "AmeriPath Group Property" means all documents, papers, computer printouts
     and disks, records, customer or patient lists, files, manuals, supplies,
     computer hardware and software, equipment, inventory and other materials
     that have been created, used or obtained by any AmeriPath Entity, or
     otherwise belonging to any AmeriPath Entity, as well as any other materials
     containing Confidential Information as defined above. Each Seller
     recognizes and agrees that:

               (i) All the AmeriPath Group Property shall be and remain the
          property of the AmeriPath Entity to which such belongs;

               (ii) Each Seller will preserve, use and hold the AmeriPath Group
          Property only for the benefit of AmeriPath and its Affiliates and to
          carry out the business of the AmeriPath Entity, AmeriPath and its
          Affiliates; and

               (iii) When any Seller's employment is terminated, such Seller
          will immediately deliver and surrender to the AmeriPath Entity all the
          AmeriPath Group Property, including all copies, extracts or any other
          types of reproductions, which such Seller has in his possession or
          control.

     6.11 Rule 144 Best Efforts. Following such time, if any, that AmeriPath is
or may become, and while AmeriPath is, a public company with its securities
registered under the Securities Act, and listed or quoted for trading by a
national securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system, AmeriPath will
use its best efforts to see that AmeriPath is in compliance with the
requirements of Rule 144 under the Securities Act applicable to the issuer of
securities, so as to facilitate non-registered sales of AmeriPath Stock by the
Sellers or Sellers who then own AmeriPath Stock consistent with the requirements
and limitations of Rule 143. Nothing in this Section 6.11 shall be deemed as
either (i) any representation or warranty that Ameripath will become a public
company with securities registered under the Securities Act, or (ii) any
covenant or agreement by AmeriPath to register, under federal or state
securities laws or otherwise, any AmeriPath securities issued to, or held by,
the Sellers.

     6.12 Deliveries After Closing. From time to time after the Closing, at the
Purchaser's request and without expense to any Seller and without further
consideration from the Purchaser, the Sellers shall execute and deliver such
other instruments of conveyance and transfer and take such other action as the
Purchaser reasonably may require to convey, transfer to and vest in the
Purchaser, and to put the Purchaser in possession of, any rights or property to
be sold, conveyed, transferred or delivered hereunder.

     6.13 Structural Changes. The parties hereto intend that the form and
substance of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby comply
with, and not be inconsistent with, federal and Texas Health Care Laws.
Accordingly, notwithstanding any other term or provision of this Agreement in
the event that AmeriPath, upon the advice of counsel (and after agreement with
the Sellers), determines at any time following the Closing that the transactions
contemplated



                                     - 43 -

<PAGE>   52



by this Agreement do not comply with, or are inconsistent with, federal or Texas
Health Care Laws, or that another structure would be better for AmeriPath
without adversely affecting the Sellers, then the Sellers hereby irrevocably
agree, upon AmeriPath's request and at AmeriPath's sole cost and expense, to
take, or cause to be taken, all action, and to do, or cause to be done, all
things necessary, proper and advisable in AmeriPath's judgment and at
AmeriPath's request (after agreement with the Sellers) to restructure the
agreements and transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the "Restructuring")
so that such agreements and transactions will be in compliance with, and/or not
inconsistent with, federal and Texas Health Care Laws, or will improve the
performance or results of operations of AmeriPath while preserving, to the
maximum extent practicable, the economic and business substance of such
agreements and transactions. In furtherance and not in limitation of the
preceding sentence, the Sellers specifically agree that any such Restructuring
at AmeriPath's request may include (i) the organization by the Sellers of a
professional corporation, partnership, 5.01(a) or similar entity owned by such
Sellers or Sellers (the "New Entity"), the organization and form of which New
Entity shall be satisfactory in all respects to AmeriPath, (ii) the assignment
to such Entity of (a) AmeriPath Texas' and/or the 5.01(a)'s obligations under
all Employment Agreements (the performance of which obligations shall be
guaranteed by AmeriPath or AmeriPath Texas) and (b) all contracts under which
AmeriPath Texas or the 5.01(a) were required to provide or deliver professional
pathology services, (iii) the execution and delivery by the New Entity or the
5.01(a) of a management agreement with AmeriPath Texas (or an Affiliate
thereof), which management agreement shall be in form and substance satisfactory
to AmeriPath, pursuant to which AmeriPath Texas (or such other Person as
AmeriPath, in its sole and absolute discretion, shall choose) will provide
certain management and other services to the New Entity or the 5.01(a) in
consideration of management fees and the reimbursement of expenses, and (iv) the
execution and delivery by each Unipath Entity or Seller of a buy-sell agreement
with AmeriPath, in form and substance satisfactory to AmeriPath, pursuant to
which AmeriPath may, at its option, cause each Unipath Entity or Seller to
transfer its, his or her ownership interest in the New Entity (or all of the
assets of such New Entity) to a person designated by AmeriPath and qualified to
own and hold such interest or such assets.

     6.14 Observer Rights. So long as a majority of the Sellers are employed by
an Affiliate of AmeriPath and the Contingent Notes have not matured or been paid
in full (solely to the extent required to be paid under the Contingent Notes),
the Sellers shall have the right, at their expense, to have one designated
Seller attend all meetings of the Board of Directors of AmeriPath as an
observer. Such designated Seller shall receive notices of all meetings of the
Board of Directors of AmeriPath, shall receive copies of all materials supplied
to the Directors of AmeriPath, and shall be entitled to attend and participate
in all meetings of the Board of Directors of AmeriPath; provided, that such
Seller shall have no right to vote on any matters submitted to the Board of
Directors (or any committee thereof). Nothing in this section shall be deemed to
prohibit AmeriPath from taking action by written consent of the Board of
Directors without notice to, or participation by, such Seller or the Sellers.
Furthermore, if the Directors of AmeriPath elect to convene a meeting without
notice, they shall use their best efforts to advise the designated Seller of
such meeting, but the failure or inability to advise such Seller of such meeting
shall not vitiate any action taken at such meeting. The Purchaser agrees to
nominate one of the Sellers



                                     - 44 -

<PAGE>   53



(designated by the Sellers, agreeable to the Purchaser) to the next available
vacancy for inside directors on the Board of Directors of AmeriPath.


                                   ARTICLE VII

                 CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE PURCHASER

     Each and every obligation of the Purchaser under this Agreement shall be
subject to the satisfaction, on or before the Closing Date, of each of the
following conditions, unless waived in writing by the Purchaser:

     7.1 Representations and Warranties; Covenants and Agreements. The
representations and warranties of the Unipath Entities and the Sellers contained
in Article III and elsewhere in this Agreement and all information contained in
any exhibit, certificate, schedule or attachment hereto or in any writing
delivered by, or on behalf of, the Sellers or the Unipath Entities to the
Purchaser at Closing, shall be true and correct when made and shall be true and
correct in all material respects on the Closing Date as though then made, except
as expressly provided herein. Each Seller and each Unipath Entity shall have
performed and complied with all agreements, covenants and conditions and shall
have made all deliveries required by this Agreement to be performed, delivered
and complied with by them prior to the Closing Date. The president or managing
partner of each Unipath Entity, the president of each MDPA and each Seller shall
have executed and delivered to the Purchaser a certificate, dated the Closing
Date, certifying to the foregoing.

     7.2 No Injunction. No preliminary or permanent injunction or other Order,
decree or ruling issued by any Authority, or any Regulation promulgated or
enacted by any Authority shall be in effect, which would prevent the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

     7.3 Third Party Consents. The Purchaser, the Sellers and each Unipath
Entity shall have obtained all consents, approvals, waivers or other
authorizations with respect to the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, such
that the Contracts and leases listed in Schedule 2.6 hereto shall remain in
effect (without default, acceleration, termination, assignment, right of
termination or assignment, payment, increase in rates or compensation payable,
penalty, interest or other adverse effect) from and after the Closing Date as
such contracts and leases operated and were in effect before the Closing Date.
With respect to the material Contracts of the Unipath Entity for which notice of
the transaction had been, or should have been, delivered to the other party
thereto pursuant to Section 6.3 hereof; (a) all such parties to such Contracts
shall have been notified of the transactions contemplated hereby and (b) neither
the Purchaser nor any Unipath Entity or Seller shall have received any notice of
terminations or amendments of, or any indication from such party of their intent
to terminate or amend, such contract, unless such amendment shall not adversely
affect the Purchaser or any Unipath Entity.



                                     - 45 -

<PAGE>   54



     7.4 Regulatory Approvals. The Federal and State regulatory agencies or
Authorities listed in Schedule 2.23 hereto shall have approved the applications
listed in such Schedule with respect to the transfer of assets or change of
control represented by the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and such
approval shall not impose financial obligations on the Purchaser that are
objectionable to it.

     7.5 No Material Adverse Change. There shall have been no Material Adverse
Change since the date of this Agreement. The Purchaser shall have received a
certificate (which shall be addressed to the Purchaser), dated the Closing Date,
of the president and chief financial officer of each Unipath Entity, certifying
to the foregoing.

     7.6 Opinion of the Sellers' Counsel. The Purchaser shall have received an
opinion of counsel to the Sellers and the Unipath Entities (which will be
addressed to the Purchaser and its senior lenders), dated the Closing Date, in
the form of Exhibit 7.6 hereto.

     7.7 INTENTIONALLY DELETED.

     7.8 Employment Agreements. The Sellers shall have terminated their existing
employment agreements with the appropriate Unipath Entities and shall have
executed and delivered to the Purchaser Employment Agreements with the 5.01(a)
in the form of Exhibit 6.6 attached hereto.

     7.9 Shareholders' Agreement. At the Closing, each person who shall be
granted a stock option (an "Optionee") and each Seller shall have executed a
counterpart signature page to the Shareholders' Agreement, pursuant to which
each Optionee and each Seller agrees to be bound by all of the provisions of the
Shareholders' Agreement, in accordance with their terms, to the same extent as
if such Person had been an original signatory thereto.

     7.10 Creditor Consents. The creditors set forth on Schedule 2.6 hereto
shall have agreed in writing with the Sellers as to the amounts owed in order
for such creditors to have been paid in full and to release all Liens in favor
of such creditors. The Sellers shall have obtained from the creditors set forth
on Schedule 2.6 and shall provide to the Purchaser at Closing, such UCC
termination statements, releases of mortgages and other releases of Liens as
shall be required by the Purchaser and its lenders.

     7.11 Subordination Agreement. At the Closing, the Sellers shall have
executed and delivered the Subordination Agreement, pursuant to which each
Seller agrees to be bound by all of the provisions of the Subordination
Agreement in accordance with their terms.

     7.12 Delivery of Stock. The Sellers shall have executed and delivered this
Agreement, or a counterpart hereof, to AmeriPath, and shall have delivered at
the Closing Stock Certificates representing all of the Stock, duly endorsed for
transfer to the Purchaser, together with stock powers duly executed in Blank.



                                     - 46 -

<PAGE>   55



     7.13 Merger of Entities. Each MDPA and each of AMPA and Metro, P.A. shall
have merged with and into a regular Texas business corporation.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                  CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE SELLERS

     Each and every obligation of the Sellers under this Agreement shall be
subject to the satisfaction, on or before the Closing Date, of each of the
following conditions unless waived in writing by the Sellers:

     8.1 Representations and Warranties; Performance. The representations and
warranties of the Purchaser contained in Article IV and elsewhere in this
Agreement and all information contained in any exhibit, schedule or attachment
hereto, by, or on behalf of, the Purchaser, to the Sellers, shall be true and
correct in all material respects when made and shall be true and correct in all
material respects on the Closing Date as though then made, except as expressly
provided herein. The Purchaser shall have performed and complied in all material
respects with all agreements, covenants and conditions required by this
Agreement to be performed and complied with by them prior to the Closing Date.
An authorized officer of the Purchaser shall have delivered to the Sellers a
certificate, dated the Closing Date, certifying to the foregoing.

     8.2 No Injunction. No preliminary or permanent injunction or other Order,
decree or ruling issued by any Authority, or any Regulation promulgated or
enacted by any Authority shall be in effect, which would prevent the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

     8.3 Purchase Consideration. The Sellers shall have received the
consideration (in the form of AmeriPath Stock, cash and Contingent Notes) to
which the Sellers are entitled pursuant to Section 1.1 hereof (to be allocated
among the Sellers in accordance therewith).

     8.4 Employment Agreements. The 5.01(a) shall have executed and delivered to
each of the Sellers an Employment Agreement between the 5.01(a) and such Seller
in the form of Exhibit 6.6 attached hereto.

     8.5 Third Party Consents. The Purchaser, the Sellers and each Unipath
Entity shall have obtained all consents, approvals, waivers or other
authorizations with respect to the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, such
that the Contracts and leases listed in Schedule 2.6 hereto shall remain in
effect (without default, acceleration, termination, assignment, right of
termination or assignment, payment, increase in rates or compensation payable,
penalty, interest or other adverse effect) from and after the Closing Date as
such contracts and leases operated and were in effect before the Closing Date.
With respect to the material Contracts of the Unipath Entity for which notice of
the transaction had been, or should have been, delivered to the other party
thereto pursuant to Section 6.3 hereof; (a) all such parties to such Contracts
shall have been notified of



                                     - 47 -

<PAGE>   56



the transactions contemplated hereby and (b) neither the Purchaser nor any
Unipath Entity or Seller shall have received any notice of terminations or
amendments of, or any indication from such party of their intent to terminate or
amend, such contract, unless such amendment shall not adversely affect the
Purchaser or any Unipath Entity.

     8.6 Regulatory Approvals. The Federal and State regulatory agencies or
Authorities listed in Schedule 2.23 hereto shall have approved the applications
listed in such Schedule with respect to the transfer of assets or change of
control represented by the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and such
approval shall not impose financial obligations on the Purchaser that are
objectionable to it.

     8.7 No Material Adverse Change. There shall have been no Material Adverse
Change since the date of this Agreement. The Purchaser shall deliver a
certificate (which shall be addressed to the Sellers), dated the Closing Date,
of the president and chief financial officer of the Purchaser, certifying to the
foregoing.

     8.8 Opinion of Counsel. The Sellers shall have received an opinion of
counsel to the Purchaser, dated the Closing Date, in the form of Exhibit 8.8
hereto.


                                   ARTICLE IX

                                     CLOSING

     9.1 Closing. Unless this Agreement shall have been terminated or abandoned
pursuant to the provisions of Article X hereof, a closing of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (the "Closing") shall be held on September 2,
1997, or on such other date which is mutually agreed upon in writing following
the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to closing set forth in Article VII
and Article VIII hereof (the "Closing Date").

     9.2 Closing Deliveries. At the Closing,

          (a) the Sellers shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the
     Purchaser:

               (i) the Officers' Certificates required by Sections 7.1 and 7.5;

               (ii) copies of all consents and approvals required by Sections
          7.3 and 7.4;

               (iii) the Opinion of Counsel required by Section 8.8;

               (iv) the Employment Agreements required by Section 7.8;



                                     - 48 -

<PAGE>   57



               (v) a certificate, signed by the secretary of each Seller, as to
          the articles of incorporation and by-laws (or other organizational
          documents) of each Seller, the resolutions adopted by the board of
          directors and shareholders, or the consents of partners, as the case
          may be, of each Seller in connection with this Agreement, the
          incumbency of certain officers of each Seller and the jurisdictions in
          which each Seller is qualified to conduct business, in form acceptable
          to the Purchaser;

               (vi) certificates issued by the appropriate governmental
          authorities evidencing the good standing, with respect to both the
          conduct of business and the payment of all franchise taxes, of each
          Seller as of a date not more than 10 days prior to the Closing Date,
          as a corporation, partnership or limited liability corporation, as the
          case may be, organized under the laws of the State of Texas and as a
          foreign corporation authorized to do business under the laws of the
          various jurisdictions where such Person is so qualified.

               (vii) the counterpart signature pages to the Shareholders'
          Agreement required by Section 7.9;

               (viii) the UCC termination statements, releases of mortgages or
          other releases of Liens required by Section 7.10;

               (ix) the Subordination Agreement and counterpart signature page
          thereto required by Section 7.11;

               (x) the Stock Certificates required by Section 7.12;

               (xi) such other certified resolutions, documents and certificates
          as are required to be delivered by any Seller pursuant to the
          provisions of this Agreement.

          (b) The Purchaser shall deliver to the Sellers:

               (i) the consideration (in the form of cash, AmeriPath Stock and
          Contingent Notes) required to be paid or delivered to the Sellers (and
          allocated to each Seller) in accordance with Section 1.1).

               (ii) the Officers' Certificate required by Section 8.1;

               (iii) the Employment Agreements required by Section 8.4;

               (iv) the Opinion of Counsel required by Section 8.8; and



                                     - 49 -

<PAGE>   58



               (v) such other certified resolutions, documents and certificates
          as are required to be delivered by the Purchaser pursuant to the
          provisions of this Agreement.


                                    ARTICLE X

                           TERMINATION AND ABANDONMENT

     10.1 Methods of Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and the
transactions herein contemplated may be abandoned at any time:

          (a) by mutual consent of the Purchaser and the Sellers;

          (b) by the Sellers or the Purchaser if this Agreement is not
     consummated on or before September 2, 1997; provided, however, that if any
     party has breached or defaulted with respect to its respective obligations
     under this Agreement on or before such date, such party may not terminate
     this Agreement pursuant to this Section 10.1(b), and each other party to
     this Agreement shall at its option enforce its rights against such
     breaching or defaulting party and seek any remedies against such party, in
     either case as provided hereunder and by applicable law; or

          (c) by the Purchaser if as of the Closing Date (including any
     extensions) any of the conditions specified in Article VII hereof shall not
     have been satisfied or if any of the Sellers or any of the Sellers is
     otherwise in default under this Agreement.

          (d) by the Sellers if as of the Closing Date (including any
     extensions) any of the conditions specified in Article VIII hereof shall
     not have been satisfied or if any of the Purchasers are otherwise in
     default under this Agreement.

     10.2 Procedure Upon Termination. In the event of termination and
abandonment pursuant to Section 10.1 hereof, and subject to the proviso
contained in Section 10.1(b), this Agreement shall terminate and shall be
abandoned, without further action by any of the parties hereto. If this
Agreement is terminated as provided herein:

          (a) each party shall redeliver all documents and other material of any
     other party relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, whether
     obtained before or after the execution hereof, to the party furnishing the
     same;

          (b) all information received by any party hereto with respect to the
     business of any other party (other than information which is a matter of
     public knowledge or which has heretofore been or is hereafter published in
     any publication for public distribution or filed as public information with
     any governmental authority) shall not at any time be used



                                     - 50 -

<PAGE>   59



     for the advantage of, or disclosed to third parties by, such party to the
     detriment of the party furnishing such information; and

          (c) no party hereto shall have any further liability or obligation to
     any other party under or in connection with this Agreement; provided,
     however, the non-breaching or non-defaulting party shall not be foreclosed
     from bringing a Claim or cause of action or otherwise recovering from the
     breaching or defaulting party.


                                   ARTICLE XI

                       SURVIVAL OF TERMS; INDEMNIFICATION

     11.1 Survival. All of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, together
with the representations, warranties and covenants contained herein or in any
instrument or document delivered or to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement,
shall survive the Closing notwithstanding any investigation heretofore or
hereafter made by or on behalf of any party hereto; provided, however, that (a)
the agreements and covenants set forth in this Agreement shall survive and
continue until all obligations set forth therein shall have been performed and
satisfied; and (b) all representations and warranties shall survive and continue
until:

          (1) with respect to the representations and warranties in Sections
     2.15 (Tax matters), 2.17 (ERISA matters), 2.19 (environmental matters) and
     2.29 (healthcare regulatory matters), until sixty (60) days following the
     expiration of the applicable statute of limitations;

          (2) with respect to the representations and warranties in Sections
     2.31 (capitalization), 2.32 (title to stock), and 2.31 (options and rights
     on capital stock), these representations shall survive and continue forever
     and without limitation; and

          (3) with respect to all other representations and warranties, the date
     upon which AmeriPath receives from its outside auditors the audited
     financial statements for AmeriPath's fiscal year ending December 31, 1999
     (the "1999 Audit Date"), except for representations, warranties and
     indemnities for which an indemnification Claim shall be pending as of the
     1999 Audit Date, in which event such indemnities shall survive with respect
     to such Claim until the final disposition thereof.

     11.2 Indemnification by the Sellers. Subject to this Article XI, the
Purchaser and its officers, directors, employees, shareholders, representatives
and agents shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Sellers, jointly and
severally, at all times after the date of this Agreement, against and in respect
of any and all damage, loss, deficiency, liability, obligation, commitment, cost
or expense (including the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel), as well as
any demands, assessments, judgments, costs, fines, penalties and legal,
investigative, audit and other expenses



                                     - 51 -

<PAGE>   60



arising from or in connection with any Claim incident to or resulting from, or
in respect of, any misrepresentation, breach of warranty, or non-fulfillment of
any obligation on the part of any Seller under this Agreement, any document
relating hereto or contained in any schedule or exhibit to this Agreement or
from any misrepresentation in or omission from any certificate, schedule, other
agreement or instrument by any Seller hereunder. All other Claims of the
Purchaser shall be resolved in accordance with Section 11.3.

     11.3 Indemnification by the Purchaser. Subject to this Article XI, the
Sellers and their heirs, assigns, representatives and agents shall be
indemnified and held harmless by the Purchaser, at all times after the date of
this Agreement, against and in respect of any and all damage, loss, deficiency,
liability, obligation, commitment, cost or expense (including the reasonable
fees and expenses of counsel), as well as any demands, assessments, judgments,
costs, fines, penalties and legal, investigative, audit and other expenses
arising from or in connection with any Claim incident to or resulting from, or
in respect of, any misrepresentation, breach of warranty, or non-fulfillment of
any obligation on the part of the Purchaser under this Agreement, any document
relating thereto or contained in any schedule or exhibit to this Agreement or
from any misrepresentation in or omission from any certificate, schedule, other
agreement or instrument by the Purchaser hereunder.

     11.4 Third-Party Claims. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement,
the following procedures shall be applicable with respect to indemnification for
third-party Claims. Promptly after receipt by the party seeking indemnification
hereunder (hereinafter referred to as the "indemnitee") of notice of the
commencement of any (a) Tax audit or proceeding for the assessment of Tax by any
taxing authority or any other proceeding likely to result in the imposition of a
Tax liability or obligation or (b) any action or the assertion of any Claim,
liability or obligation by a third party (whether by legal process or
otherwise), against which Claim, liability or obligation the other party to this
Agreement (hereinafter the "indemnitor") is, or may be, required under this
Agreement to indemnify such indemnitee, the indemnitee will, if a Claim thereon
is to be, or may be, made against the indemnitor, notify the indemnitor in
writing of the commencement or assertion thereof and give the indemnitor a copy
of such Claim, process and all legal pleadings. The indemnitor shall have the
right to participate in the defense of such action with counsel of reputable
standing. The indemnitor shall have the right to assume the defense of such
action unless such action (i) may result in injunctions or other equitable
remedies in respect of the indemnitee or its business; (ii) may result in
liabilities which, taken with other then existing Claims under this Article XI,
would not be fully indemnified hereunder; or (iii) may have an adverse impact on
the business or financial condition of the indemnitee after the Closing Date
(including an effect on the Tax liabilities, earnings or ongoing business
relationships of the indemnitee). The indemnitor and the indemnitee shall
cooperate in the defense of such Claims. In the case that the indemnitor shall
assume or participate in the defense of such audit, assessment or other
proceeding as provided herein, the indemnitee shall make available to the
indemnitor all relevant records and take such other action and sign such
documents as are necessary to defend such audit, assessment or other proceeding
in a timely manner. If the indemnitee shall be required by judgment or a
settlement agreement to pay any amount in respect of any obligation or liability
against which the indemnitor has agreed to indemnify the indemnitee under this



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<PAGE>   61



Agreement, the indemnitor shall promptly reimburse the indemnitee in an amount
equal to the amount of such payment plus all reasonable expenses (including
reasonable legal fees and expenses) incurred by such indemnitee in connection
with such obligation or liability subject to this Article XI.

     Prior to paying or settling any Claim against which an indemnitor is, or
may be, obligated under this Agreement to indemnify an indemnitee, the
indemnitee must first supply the indemnitor with a copy of a final court
judgment or decree holding the indemnitee liable on such claim or failing such
judgment or decree, and must first receive the written approval of the terms and
conditions of such settlement from the indemnitor. An indemnitor shall have the
right to settle any Claim against it, subject to the prior written approval of
the indemnitee, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.

     An indemnitee shall have the right to employ its own counsel in any case,
but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of the
indemnitee unless (a) the employment of such counsel shall have been authorized
in writing by the indemnitor in connection with the defense of such action or
Claim, (b) the indemnitor shall not have employed, or is prohibited under this
Section 11.4 from employing, counsel in the defense of such action or Claim, or
(c) such indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded that there may be defenses
available to it which are contrary to, or inconsistent with, those available to
the indemnitor, in any of which events such reasonable fees and expenses of not
more than one additional counsel for the indemnified parties shall be borne by
the indemnitor.

     11.5 Deductible. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article
XI, except for the next succeeding sentence of this Section 11.5, no
indemnification pursuant to this Article XI shall be required of an indemnifying
party hereunder unless and until the aggregate amount due the indemnified party
for all Claims under this Article XI shall exceed $200,000.00 (the
"Deductible"), and then only to the extent that the aggregate amount of such
Claims exceeds the Deductible. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Claim
(regardless of amount) that arises out of a breach of Section 1.3 or of any of
the representations or warranties contained in Sections 2.15 (tax matters), 2.29
(healthcare), 4.6 (cash at closing), 2.31 (capitalization), 2.32 (title to
Stock), 2.33 (options and rights on capital stock) shall at any time be subject
to the Deductible or be counted in determining the Maximum Liability (as defined
in Section 11.6) or with respect to the limitations set forth in Section 11.8.

     11.6 Maximum Liability. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this
Article XI, except as provided in the last sentence of Section 11.5 above, the
maximum liability in connection with any and all Claims for indemnification or
breach or violation of representations or warranties under this Agreement or
otherwise with respect to this transaction shall be in the aggregate, with
respect to each Seller, the maximum allocable share of the Purchase Price
received by such Seller as set forth on Schedule 1.2 hereto, including only the
cash, AmeriPath Stock (valued at $10 per share) and payments of principal and
interest actually paid under the Contingent Notes; provided, however, to the
extent any Seller desires to use AmeriPath Stock to pay any Claim under this
Article XI, the AmeriPath Stock shall be valued at the closing price of



                                     - 53 -

<PAGE>   62



such stock on the last business day preceding the payment of a Claim hereunder
and, in addition, the Purchaser may recover from the Sellers any amounts paid
with respect to the Contingent Notes and may set off against principal and
interest payments to be earned and paid under the Contingent Notes any amounts
with respect to a Claim hereunder in excess of the amounts already received by
any indemnifying Sellers. The Purchaser's maximum liability shall be equal to
the total maximum liability of the Sellers on the date any Claim is made
hereunder.

     11.7 Transaction Liability. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in this Agreement, the liability in connection with any and all Claims
for indemnification or breach or violation of representations or warranties
under Section 2.15(e) of this Agreement, or Section 2.15(a) of this Agreement to
the extent such subsection relates to the transactions addressed in Section
2.15(e), shall be in the aggregate, with respect to all Sellers, Fifty Percent
(50%) of the result of (a) the maximum Claim for indemnification that the
Purchaser could request hereunder (without taking into account the limitations
of this Section 11.7) with respect to a violation or breach of Section 2.15(e)
(or such portion of Section 2.15(a)), less (b) the present value of the net tax
benefit (calculated with an after tax discount factor of 6%; and with the
assumption that any tax benefits allowed under the Code will be utilized in full
by AmeriPath when and if they become available) which will be recovered by the
Purchaser or any Affiliate of AmeriPath as a result of the treatment of the
structure of the transaction other than as described in Section 2.15(e) hereof.
Such liabilities shall be shared pro rata among the Sellers based upon each
Seller's pro rata share of the Purchase Price received at Closing.

     11.8 Several Liability. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
herein, except as provided in the last sentence of Section 11.5 above, and
except with respect to any liabilities described in Section 11.7 above (all of
which liabilities shall be shared pro rata among the Sellers based upon each
Seller's pro rata share of the Purchase Price received at Closing), if a Claim
for indemnification under this Article XI arises out of an act or omission by
one or more of the Unipath Entities (which causation is readily apparent and
identifiable and agreed to by the Sellers), then the Purchaser shall look first
to such readily identifiable shareholders, partners or owners of such Unipath
Entities (the "Obligated Sellers"), and then to the other Sellers, but only to
such other Sellers up to a maximum of 20% of the excess of any Claim over the
aggregate maximum liability of the Obligated Sellers. With respect to those
liabilities excluded hereunder by the last sentence of Section 11.5 above, the
Purchaser shall look first to the Obligated Sellers and then to the other
Sellers, however the Purchaser may look to the other Sellers only up to a
maximum of 50% of the excess of any Claim over the aggregate maximum liability
of the Obligated Sellers.

     11.9 Notice of Claims. Any person seeking indemnification under this
Agreement shall give to the indemnitor prompt written notice of any Claim or
potential Claim hereunder. Such notice shall contain a description of any Claim,
event or facts known to the indemnitee which do or may give rise to a Claim by
the indemnitee against the indemnitor based on this Agreement, stating the
nature and basis of said Claims or events and the amounts thereof, to the extent
known.



                                     - 54 -

<PAGE>   63



     11.10 Exclusive Remedy. Except for actions to enforce specific performance
of rights or obligations under this Agreement, a Claim for indemnification
pursuant to this Article XI shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of the
Purchaser with respect to any matter referred to in Section 11.2 and of the
Sellers with respect to any matter referred to in Section 11.3, and no other
Claim, action, suit or proceeding shall be initiated or maintained against the
Sellers or their assets or the Purchaser or its assets, as the case may be, in
respect of any matter referred to in Section 11.2 or 11.3 respectively,
notwithstanding that a remedy may not be available under this Article by virtue
of the lapse of time, limitation on the amounts that may be claimed, the
Deductible or otherwise.



                                     - 55 -

<PAGE>   64




                                   ARTICLE XII

                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

     12.1 Amendment and Modification. Subject to applicable law, this Agreement
may be amended, modified and supplemented only by a written agreement signed by
the Purchaser and the Sellers; provided, however, no amendment shall materially
impair the rights of any Seller hereunder without the express written consent of
such Seller.

     12.2 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including the schedules and exhibits
hereto and the documents, annexes, attachments, certificates and instruments
referred to herein and therein, and the agreements executed in connection with
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, embodies the entire
agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the agreements
and transactions contemplated by this Agreement and supersedes all prior
agreements, representations, warranties, promises, covenants, arrangements,
communications and understandings, oral or written, express or implied, between
the parties with respect to such transactions. There are no agreements,
representations, warranties, promises, covenants, arrangements or understandings
between the parties with respect to such transactions, other than those
expressly set forth or referred to herein.

     12.3 Certain Definitions.

          "Affiliate" means, with regard to any Person, (a) any Person, directly
     or indirectly, controlled by, under common control of, or controlling such
     Person, (b) any Person, directly or indirectly, in which such Person holds,
     of record or beneficially, five percent or more of the equity or voting
     securities, (c) any Person that holds, of record or beneficially, five
     percent or more of the equity or voting securities of such Person, (d) any
     Person that, through Contract, relationship or otherwise, exerts a
     substantial influence on the management of such Person's affairs, (e) any
     Person that, through Contract, relationship or otherwise, is influenced
     substantially in the management of their affairs by such Person, or (f) any
     director, officer, partner or individual holding a similar position in
     respect of such Person.

          "Authority" means any governmental, regulatory or administrative body,
     agency, arbitrator or authority, any court or judicial authority, any
     regulatory agency, whether national, federal, state or local.

          "Claim" means any action, claim, obligation, liability, expense,
     lawsuit, demand, suit, inquiry, hearing, investigation, notice of a
     violation, litigation, proceeding, arbitration, or other dispute, whether
     civil, criminal, administrative or otherwise, whether pursuant to
     contractual obligations or otherwise.



                                     - 56 -

<PAGE>   65



          "Contract" means any agreement, contract, commitment, instrument or
     other binding arrangement or understanding, whether written or oral.

          "Environmental Law" means any Regulation, Order, settlement agreement
     or governmental requirement, which relates to or otherwise imposes
     liability or standards of conduct concerning mining or reclamation of mined
     land, discharges, emissions, releases or threatened releases of noises,
     odors or any pollutants, contaminants or hazardous or toxic wastes,
     substances or materials, whether as matter or energy, into ambient air,
     water, or land, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing,
     generation, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, cleanup,
     transport or handling of pollutants, contaminants, or hazardous wastes,
     substances or materials, including (but not limited to) the Comprehensive
     Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, the
     Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, as amended, the
     Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended, the Toxic
     Substances Control Act of 1976, as amended, the Federal Water Pollution
     Control Act Amendments of 1972, the Clean Water Act of 1977, as amended,
     any so-called "Superlien" law, and any other similar Federal, state or
     local statutes.

          "Environmental Permit" shall mean Permits, certificates, approvals,
     licenses and other authorizations relating to or required by Environmental
     Law and necessary or desirable for the conduct of a person's business.

          "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles, applied on a
     consistent basis.

          "Healthcare Laws" means any Federal, state, or local Regulation or
     Order, of any Authority, which relates to or otherwise imposes liability or
     standards of conduct concerning the licensure, certification,
     qualification, or operation of a health maintenance organization, pharmacy,
     home health agency or other aspect of a Person's business subject to such
     Healthcare Laws, including but not limited to laws governing home health
     agencies, laws regulating the professional standards of health care
     professionals; The Texas Health Maintenance Organization Act; the Texas
     Pharmacy Act; the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act; the
     Patient Self-Referral Act; 21 U.S.C. ss.301-392, the Federal Food Drug and
     Cosmetic Act; 21 U.S.C. ss.821 et seq., Section 1128B of the Social
     Security Act; The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988; 42
     U.S.C. ss.1320a-7b, 42 C.F.R. Part 1001, 42 CFR Chapter IV, Subchapter C;
     Sections 1876 or 1903 of the Social Security Act; 45 CFR, Part 74; 45 CFR,
     Part 92; 42 CFR 455.109 42 U.S.C. ss.1857(h) et seq., 33 U.S.C. ss.1368 et
     seq., Executive Order 11738 and 40 CFR Part 15, Title VI of the Civil
     Rights Act of 1964; 42 U.S.C. ss.2000 d et seq., Section 504 of the
     Rehabilitation Act of 1933; 29 U.S.C. ss.7940; Title IX of the Education
     Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. ss.1681 et seq., 42 U.S.C. ss.6101 et seq.,
     Section 654 of OBRA '81; 42 U.S.C. ss.9849 and the Americans with
     Disabilities Act of 1990; P.L. 101-336, OBRAs 1986 through 1993, as
     amended, and any other similar Federal, state or local Regulations.



                                     - 57 -

<PAGE>   66




          "Lien" means any security interest, lien, mortgage, pledge,
     hypothecation, encumbrance, Claim, restriction or interest of another
     Person of any kind or nature.

          "Material Adverse Change" means any development or change which has,
     had or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          "Material Adverse Effect" means any circumstances, state of facts or
     matters which has, or might reasonably be expected to have, a material
     adverse effect in respect of the Unipath Entities' or AmeriPath's (as the
     case may be) business, operations, properties, assets, condition (financial
     or otherwise), revenues, expenses, accounts receivable, accounts payable,
     results, plans, strategies or prospects.

          "Order" means any decree, consent decree, judgment, award, order,
     injunction, rule, ruling, consent of or by an Authority.

          "Person" means any corporation, partnership, joint venture, company,
     syndicate, organization, association, trust, entity, Authority or natural
     person.

          "Proprietary Rights" means any patent, patent application, copyright,
     trademark, trade name, service mark, service name, trade secret, know-how,
     confidential information or other intellectual property or proprietary
     rights.

          "Regulation" means any law, statute, rule, regulation, ordinance,
     requirement, announcement or other binding action of or by an Authority.

          "Subsidiary" means any Person which the Purchaser or any Unipath
     Entity, as the case may be, owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of
     the outstanding stock or other equity interests.

     12.4 Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications
required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have
been duly given when delivered by hand or mailed, first class certified mail
with postage paid or by overnight receipted courier service:

          (a) If to the Sellers, to:

              Unipath
              4350 Alpha Road
              Dallas, Texas 75244

              Attention: Joseph Sonnier, M.D.



                                     - 58 -

<PAGE>   67



              with a copy to:

              Thompson & Knight
              1700 Pacific Avenue, Suite 3300
              Dallas, Texas 75201-4693
              Attention: Steven Cochran, Esq.

               or to such other person or address as the Sellers or PRACTICE
          shall furnish by notice to the Purchaser in writing.

          (b) If to the Purchaser to:

              AmeriPath, Inc.
              7289 Garden Road, Suite 200
              Riviera Beach, Florida 33404
              Attn:  James C. New, President

              with a copy to:

              Greenberg, Traurig, Hoffman,
                 Lipoff, Rosen & Quentel, P.A.
              515 E. Las Olas Boulevard, Suite 1500
              Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
              Attn:  Daniel H. Aronson, Esq.

               or to such other person or address as the Purchaser shall furnish
          by notice to the Sellers in writing.

     12.5 Exhibits and Schedules. The Exhibits and Schedules referred to in this
Agreement are attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference.
Disclosure of a specific item in any one Schedule shall be deemed restricted
only to the Section of this Agreement to which such disclosure relates, except
where, and to the extent that, there is an explicit cross-reference in such
Schedule to another Schedule.

     12.6 Waiver of Compliance; Consents. Any failure of any party hereto to
comply with any obligation, covenant, agreement or condition herein may be
waived in writing by the other parties hereto, but such waiver or failure to
insist upon strict compliance with such obligation, covenant, agreement or
condition shall not operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any
subsequent or other failure. Whenever this Agreement requires or permits consent
by or on behalf of any party hereto, such consent shall be given in writing.

     12.7 Assignment. This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and permitted assigns, but neither this Agreement nor any of the
rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall



                                     - 59 -

<PAGE>   68



be assigned by any of the parties hereto without the prior written consent of
the other parties, except that the Purchaser may assign its rights, interests
and obligations hereunder to any wholly-owned Subsidiary, and may grant Liens or
security interests in respect of its rights and interests hereunder, without the
prior approval of the Sellers; provided that AmeriPath guarantees the
obligations of the Purchaser hereunder and remains liable jointly with the
Subsidiary for any obligations so assigned.

     12.8 Governing Law. The Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of
the State of Florida as to all matters, including but not limited to matters of
validity, construction, effect and performance.

     12.9 Headings. The article, section and other headings contained in this
Agreement are for reference purposes only and do not affect in any way the
meaning or interpretation of this Agreement (or any provision hereof).

     12.10 Pronouns and Plurals. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun
used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine, or
neuter forms, and the singular forms of nouns, pronouns, and verbs include the
plural and vice versa.

     12.11 Construction. The parties acknowledge that each party has reviewed
and revised this Agreement and that the normal rule of construction to the
effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall
not be employed in the interpretation of this Agreement.

     12.12 Injunctive Relief. The parties hereto agree that in the event of a
breach of any provision of this Agreement, the aggrieved party or parties may be
without an adequate remedy at law. The parties therefore agree that in the event
of a breach of any provision of this Agreement, the aggrieved party or parties
may elect to institute and prosecute proceedings in any court of competent
jurisdiction to enforce specific performance or to enjoin the continuing breach
of such provision, as well as to obtain damages for breach of this Agreement. By
seeking or obtaining any such relief, the aggrieved party shall not be precluded
from seeking or obtaining any other relief to which it may be entitled.

     12.13 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall not be construed so as to confer
any right or benefit upon any Person other than the signatories to this
Agreement and each of their respective successors and permitted assigns.

     12.14 Delays or Omissions; Waiver. No delay or omission to exercise any
right, power or remedy accruing to any party hereto, upon any breach or default
of any other party under this Agreement, shall impair any such right, power or
remedy of such party nor shall it be construed to be a waiver of, or estoppel
with respect to, any such breach or default, or an acquiescence therein, or of
or in any similar breach or default thereafter occurring; nor shall any waiver
of any single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or
default theretofore or thereafter occurring. Any waiver, permit, consent or
approval of any kind or character on the



                                     - 60 -

<PAGE>   69



part of any party hereto of any breach or default under this Agreement, or any
waiver on the part of any party of any provisions, obligations, covenants,
agreements or conditions of this Agreement must be made in writing and shall be
effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing. All
remedies, either under this Agreement or by law or otherwise afforded to any
party, shall be cumulative and not alternative.

     12.15 Severability. Unless otherwise provided herein, if any provision of
this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity,
legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be
affected or impaired thereby.

     12.16 Expenses. All fees, costs and expenses (including, without
limitation, legal, auditing and accounting fees, costs and expenses) incurred in
connection with considering, pursuing, negotiating, documenting or consummating
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be borne and paid
solely by the party incurring such fees, costs and expenses.

     12.17 Attorneys' Fees. If any party to this Agreement seeks to enforce the
terms and provisions of this Agreement or to interpret rights hereunder, then
the prevailing party in such action shall be entitled to recover from the losing
party or parties all costs in connection with such action, including without
limitation reasonable attorneys' fees, expenses and costs incurred at the trial
court and all appellate levels.

     12.18 Dealings in Good Faith; Best Efforts. Each party hereto agrees to act
in good faith with respect to the other party in exercising its rights and
discharging its obligations under this Agreement. Each party further agrees to
use its best efforts to ensure that the purposes of this Agreement are realized
and to take all further steps as are reasonably necessary to implement the
provisions of this Agreement. Each party agrees to execute, deliver and file any
document or instrument necessary or advisable to realize the purposes of this
Agreement.

     12.19 Action by Sellers. Whenever in this Agreement action or consent is
required by the Sellers, the act, consent or action of a majority of the Sellers
that make up the Physician Committee shall be deemed to be the act, consent and
action of all of the Sellers.

     12.20 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

                                     * * * *

                  [Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]



                                     - 61 -

<PAGE>   70



         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have made and entered into this
Agreement the date first hereinabove set forth.

                                       AMERIPATH, INC.


                                       By: /s/ James C. New
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          James C. New, President

                                       SELLERS:


                                       J. SLOAN LEONARD, M.D., ASSOCIATED


                                       By: /s/ J. Sloan Leonard
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          J. Sloan Leonard, M.D., President


                                       JOSEPH A. SONNIER, M.D., P.A.


                                       By: /s/ Joseph A. Sonnier
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Joseph A. Sonnier, M.D., President


                                       V. Q. TELFORD, M.D., ASSOCIATED


                                       By: /s/ V. Q. Telford
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          V. Q. Telford, M.D., President


                                       WILLIAM C. BURTON, M.D., P.A.


                                       By: /s/ William C. Burton
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          William C. Burton, M.D., President



                                     - 62 -

<PAGE>   71



                                       JAMES SCOTT MILVENAN, M.D., P.A.


                                       By: /s/ James Scot Milvenan
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          James Scot Milvenan, M.D., President


                                       LESLIE L. WALTERS, M.D., ASSOCIATED


                                       By: /s/ Leslie L. Walters
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Leslie L. Walters, M.D., President


                                       THOMAS M. JAMES, M.D., P.A.


                                       By: /s/ Thomas M. James
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Thomas M. James, M.D., President


                                           /s/ J. SLOAN LEONARD
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          J. SLOAN LEONARD, M.D.


                                           /s/ JOSEPH A. SONNIER
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          JOSEPH A. SONNIER, M.D.


                                           /s/ VAN Q. TELFORD
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          VAN Q. TELFORD, M.D.


                                           /s/ WILLIAM C. BURTON
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          WILLIAM C. BURTON, M.D.


                                           /s/ JAMES SCOT MILVENAN
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          JAMES SCOT MILVENAN, M.D.



                                     - 63 -

<PAGE>   72


 
                                           /s/ LESLIE L. WALTERS
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          LESLIE L. WALTERS, M.D.

                                           /s/ THOMAS M. JAMES
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          THOMAS M. JAMES, M.D.

                                           /s/ STEPHEN W. ALDRED
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          STEPHEN W. ALDRED, M.D.

                                           /s/ JOHN E. MCDONALD
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          JOHN E. MCDONALD, M.D.

                                           /s/ BARBARA A. SHINN
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          BARBARA A. SHINN, M.D.



                                     - 64 -
