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                        FOR:            MAXXIM MEDICAL, INC.

                        APPROVED BY:    Peter M. Graham
                                        Executive Vice President
                                        727/561-2100

                        CONTACTS:       Mary Lugris
                                        Investor Relations
                                        727/561-2100
                                        Morgen-Walke Associates
                                        Andrea Kaimowitz/Katherine Mittelbusher
                                        Press: Darren Brandt
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                   212/850-5600
---------------------

                    MAXXIM MEDICAL ANNOUNCES COMMENCEMENT OF

                      TENDER OFFER FOR CIRCON CORPORATION

CLEARWATER, FLORIDA, NOVEMBER 30, 1998 -- MAXXIM MEDICAL, INC. (NYSE: MAM)
announced today that MMI Acquisition Corp., its wholly owned subsidiary, has
commenced a cash tender offer to purchase all of the outstanding shares of
Circon Corporation (Nasdaq: CCON) at a price of $15.00 per share.

         The offer is being made pursuant to the previously announced merger
agreement with Circon Corporation. The offer is subject to certain conditions,
including among other things, the tender of at least a majority of the shares
of Circon outstanding on a fully diluted basis and the expiration of the
applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act. The offer and
withdrawal rights are scheduled to expire at 5:00 pm., New York City time, on
Tuesday, January 5, 1999, unless the offer is extended.

         Maxxim Medical is a major, diversified manufacturer, distributor and
marketer of disposable specialty medical products such as custom procedure
trays, medical gloves, electrosurgical systems and disposable products for use
in cardiology, radiology and critical care. Maxxim has annual revenues in
excess of $500 million.

         This press release is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation
of an offer to sell securities. The tender offer is made only through the Offer
to Purchase and the related Letter of Transmittal which are being mailed to
stockholders today. Additional copies of such documents can be obtained by
contacting, MacKenzie Partners, Inc., the Information Agent, at (212) 929-5500
(collect) or call toll free at (800) 322-2885.

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