Underwriting Agreement dated April 29, 2004

Triad Hospitals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), confirms its agreement with Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (“Citigroup”), Credit Suisse First Boston LLC (“CSFB”), Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman, Sachs”), Banc of America Securities LLC (“Banc of America”) and Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“Merrill Lynch”) and each of the other Underwriters named in Schedule A hereto (collectively, the “Underwriters”, which term shall also include any underwriter substituted as hereinafter provided in Section 10 hereof), for whom Citigroup, CSFB, Goldman, Sachs, Banc of America and Merrill Lynch are acting as representatives (in such capacity, the “Representatives”), with respect to the issue and sale by the Company and the purchase by the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, of the respective principal amounts set forth opposite the names of such Underwriters in said Schedule A of Securities $600,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 7% Senior Notes due 2012 (the “Securities”). The Securities are to be issued pursuant to an indenture dated as of May 6, 2004 (the “Indenture”) between the Company and Citibank, N.A., as trustee (the “Trustee”). Securities issued in book-entry form will be issued to Cede & Co. as nominee of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) pursuant to a letter agreement, to be dated as of the Closing Time (as defined in Section 2(b)) (the “DTC Agreement”), among the Company, the Trustee and DTC.

The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-100461), including the related preliminary prospectus or prospectuses (the “Base Prospectus”), covering the registration of the Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”). Promptly after execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company will prepare and file a prospectus in accordance with the provisions of Rule 430A (“Rule 430A”) of the rules and regulations of the

Commission under the 1933 Act (the “1933 Act Regulations”) and paragraph (b) of Rule 424 (“Rule 424(b)”) of the 1933 Act Regulations. The information included in such prospectus that was omitted from such registration statement at the time it became effective but that is deemed to be part of such registration statement at the time it became effective pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 430A is referred to as “Rule 430A Information.” Any prospectus that omitted the Rule 430A Information, that was used after such effectiveness and prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement is herein called a “preliminary prospectus.” Such registration statement, including the exhibits and any schedules thereto, at the time it became effective, and including the documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the 1933 Act at such time and the Rule 430A Information, is herein called the “Registration Statement.” Any registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations is herein referred to as the “Rule 462(b) Registration Statement,” and after such filing the term “Registration Statement” shall include the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement. The final prospectus (including the Base Prospectus) in the form furnished to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offering of the Securities, including the documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the 1933 Act at the time of the execution of this Agreement, is herein called the “Prospectus.” For purposes of this Agreement, all references to the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing shall be deemed to include the copy filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system (“EDGAR”).

All references in this Agreement to financial statements and schedules and other information which is “contained,” “included” or “stated” in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or other references of like import) shall be deemed to mean and include all such financial statements and schedules and other information which is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be; and all references in this Agreement to amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to mean and include the filing of any document under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”) which is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, such preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be.

(a) Representations and Warranties. The Company represents and warrants to each Underwriter as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Time referred to in Section 2(b) hereof, and agrees with each Initial Purchaser, as follows:

(i) Compliance with Registration Requirements. (A) The Company meets the requirements for use of Form S-3 under the 1933 Act. Each of the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto has become effective under the 1933 Act and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto has been issued under the 1933 Act and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, are threatened by the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information has been complied with.

(B) At the respective times the Registration Statement, and any post-effective amendments thereto became effective and at the Closing Time, the Registration Statement and any amendments and supplements thereto complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations and did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. Neither the Prospectus nor any amendments or supplements thereto, at the time the Prospectus or any such amendment or supplement was issued and at the Closing Time, included or will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The representations and warranties in this subsection shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement or Prospectus made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto).

(C) Each preliminary prospectus and the Prospectus filed as part of the Registration Statement as originally filed or as part of any amendment thereto complied when so filed in all material respects with the 1933 Act Regulations and each preliminary prospectus and the Prospectus delivered to the Underwriters for use in connection with this offering was identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

(ii) Incorporated Documents. The documents incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, when they became effective or at the time they were or hereafter are filed with the Commission, complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations or the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (the “1934 Act Regulations”), as applicable, and, when read together with the other information in the Prospectus, at the time the Prospectus was filed and at the Closing Time, did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein in the light of the circumstances under which they were made not misleading.

(iii) Independent Accountants. The accountants who certified the financial statements and supporting schedules included in the Prospectus are independent public accountants with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries within the meaning of Regulation S-X under the 1933 Act.

(iv) Financial Statements. The financial statements, together with the related schedules and notes, included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus present fairly in all material respects the financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries at the dates indicated and the statement of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries for the periods specified; said financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods

involved. The selected financial data and the summary financial information included in the Prospectus present fairly the information shown therein and have been compiled on a basis consistent with that of the audited financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus.

(v) No Material Adverse Change in Business. Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Prospectus, except as otherwise stated therein, (A) there has been no material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings or business affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business (a “Material Adverse Effect”), (B) there have been no transactions entered into by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, other than those in the ordinary course of business, which are material with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, and (C) there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company on any class of its capital stock.

(vi) Good Standing of the Company. The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement; and the Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(vii) Good Standing of Designated Subsidiaries. Each “significant subsidiary” of the Company (as such term is defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X) (each a “Designated Subsidiary” and, collectively, the “Designated Subsidiaries”) has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation, a limited liability company or a limited partnership in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation has the requisite power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect; except as otherwise disclosed in the Prospectus, all of the issued and outstanding capital stock or ownership interests of each Designated Subsidiary has been duly authorized and validly issued, is fully paid and non-assessable and is owned by the Company, directly or through subsidiaries, free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equity other than those under the Company’s Senior Secured Credit Agreement (as defined in the Prospectus); none of the outstanding shares of capital stock or ownership interests of the Designated Subsidiaries was issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights of any securityholder of such Designated Subsidiary.

(viii) Capitalization. The authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company is as set forth in the Prospectus under the caption “Capitalization” (except for subsequent issuances, if any, pursuant to this Agreement, pursuant to reservations, agreements, employee benefit plans referred to in the Prospectus or pursuant to the exercise of convertible securities or options referred to in the Prospectus). The shares of issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable; none of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company was issued in violation of the preemptive or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Company.

(ix) Authorization of Agreement. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

(x) Authorization of the Indenture. The Indenture has been duly authorized by the Company and, when executed and delivered by the Company and the Trustee, will constitute a valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency (including, without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfers), reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and except as enforcement thereof is subject to public policy considerations and general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

(xi) Authorization of the Securities. The Securities have been duly authorized and, at the Closing Time, will have been duly executed by the Company and, when authenticated, issued and delivered in the manner provided for in the Indenture and delivered against payment of the purchase price therefor as provided in this Agreement, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency (including, without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfers) reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and except as enforcement thereof is subject to public policy considerations and general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), and will be in the form contemplated by, and entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

(xii) Description of the Securities and the Indenture. The Securities and the Indenture will conform in all material respects to the respective statements relating thereto contained in the Prospectus and will be in substantially the respective forms last delivered to the Underwriters prior to the date of this Agreement.

(xiii) Absence of Defaults and Conflicts. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of its charter or by-laws or in default in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement, note, lease or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which or any of them may be bound, or to which any of the property or assets of the Company

or any of its subsidiaries is subject (collectively, “Agreements and Instruments”) except for such defaults that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect; and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Indenture and the Securities and any other agreement or instrument entered into or issued or to be entered into or issued by the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or in the Prospectus and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and in the Prospectus (including the issuance and sale of the Securities and the use of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities as described in the Prospectus under the caption “Use of Proceeds”) and compliance by the Company with its obligations hereunder have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and do not and will not, whether with or without the giving of notice or passage of time or both, conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default or a Repayment Event (as defined below) under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to, the Agreements and Instruments except for such conflicts, breaches, defaults, Repayment Events, liens, charges or encumbrances that, singly or in the aggregate, would not result in a Material Adverse Effect, nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or, except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect, any applicable law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree of any government, government instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their assets, properties or operations. As used herein, a “Repayment Event” means any event or condition which gives the holder of any note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such holder’s behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

(xiv) Absence of Labor Dispute. No labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent which, in either case, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xv) Absence of Proceedings. Except as disclosed in the Prospectus, there is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or brought by any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, now pending, or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, against or affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries which would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or which would reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder. The aggregate of all pending legal or governmental proceedings to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any of their respective property or assets is the subject which are not described in the Prospectus, including ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xvi) Absence of Manipulation. Neither the Company nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any affiliate of the Company has taken nor will take, directly or indirectly, any action which is designed to or which has constituted or which would be expected to

cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

(xvii) Absence of Further Requirements. No filing with, or authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration, qualification or decree of, any court or governmental authority or agency is necessary or required for the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder, in connection with the offering, issuance or sale of the Securities hereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or for the due execution, delivery or performance of the Indenture by the Company, except (A) such as have been already obtained, (B) any filings under state securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the sale of the Securities and (C) such filing, authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration, qualification or decree the failure to so make or obtain would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

(xviii) Possession of Licenses and Permits. The Company and its subsidiaries possess such permits, licenses, approvals, consents and other authorizations (collectively, “Governmental Licenses”) issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the business now operated by them except as disclosed in the Prospectus or where the failure to so possess would not have a Material Adverse Effect; the Company and its subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such Governmental Licenses, except where the failure so to comply would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; all of the Governmental Licenses are valid and in full force and effect, except as disclosed in the Prospectus or where the invalidity of such Governmental Licenses or the failure of such Governmental Licenses to be in full force and effect would not have a Material Adverse Effect; and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such Governmental Licenses which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xix) Title to Property. The Company and its subsidiaries have good and marketable title to all real property owned by the Company and its subsidiaries and good title to all other properties owned by them, in each case, free and clear of all mortgages, pledges, liens, security interests, claims, restrictions or encumbrances of any kind except such as (a) are described in the Prospectus or (b) would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect and, except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect, all of the leases and subleases material to the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, and under which the Company or any of its subsidiaries holds properties described in the Prospectus, are in full force and effect, and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has any notice of any material claim of any sort that has been asserted by anyone adverse to the rights of the Company or any of its subsidiaries under any of the leases or subleases mentioned above, or affecting or questioning the rights of the Company or any subsidiary thereof to the continued possession of the leased or subleased premises under any such lease or sublease except for such claims as would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

(xx) Environmental Laws. Except as described in the Prospectus and except such matters as would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect, (A) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of any federal, state, local or foreign statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, policy or rule of common law or any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including any judicial or administrative order, consent, decree or judgment, relating to pollution or protection of human health, the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or wildlife, including, without limitation, laws and regulations relating to the release or threatened release of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic substances, hazardous substances, petroleum or petroleum products (collectively, “Hazardous Materials”) or to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials (collectively, “Environmental Laws”), (B) the Company and its subsidiaries have all permits, authorizations and approvals required under any applicable Environmental Laws and are each in compliance with their requirements, (C) there are no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company threatened, administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, claims, liens, notices of noncompliance or violation, investigation or proceedings relating to any Environmental Law against the Company or any of its subsidiaries and (D) there are no events or circumstances that might reasonably be expected to form the basis of an order for clean-up or remediation, or an action, suit or proceeding by any private party or governmental body or agency, against or affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries relating to Hazardous Materials or Environmental Laws.

(xxi) Investment Company Act. The Company is not, and upon the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated and the application of the net proceeds therefrom as described in the Prospectus will not be, an “investment company” or an entity “controlled” by an “investment company” as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).

(xxii) Regulations T, U and X. None of the Company or any agent acting on its behalf has taken or will take any action that is reasonably likely to cause the issuance or sale of the Securities to violate Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, in each case as in effect on the date hereof.

(xxiii) Medicare and Medicaid. To the extent described in the Prospectus and except as otherwise described in the Prospectus, all facilities owned, operated or managed as continuing operations by the Company (A) are licensed, to the extent necessary, under appropriate state laws to conduct the business as described in the Prospectus, except as would not result in a Material Adverse Effect; (B) are certified for participation or enrollment in the Medicare and Medicaid programs; (C) have the benefit of a current and valid provider contract with the Medicare and Medicaid programs; and (D) are substantial compliance with the terms and conditions of participation in such programs and have received all approvals or qualifications necessary for reimbursement, except, in each case, where the failure to be so licensed or certified, to have the benefit of such contracts, to be in such compliance or to have such approvals or qualifications, singly or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of the Company, the

amounts established as provisions for Medicare and Medicaid adjustments and adjustments by any other third party payors on the financial statements of the Company are sufficient in all material respects to pay any amounts for which the Company may be liable for such adjustments. Except as described in the Prospectus, the Company has not received notice from the regulatory authorities which enforce the statutory or regulatory provisions in respect of the Medicare or Medicaid programs of any pending or threatened investigations, surveys (other than routine surveys) or decertification proceedings are pending, threatened or imminent, in each case, except such notices or threatened investigations, surveys or proceedings which singly or in the aggregate would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

(xxiv) Internal Accounting Controls. The Company and its Designated Subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization, (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain accountability for assets, (C) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization and (D) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

(xxv) Insurance. The Company and its subsidiaries carry or are entitled to the benefits of insurance in such amounts and covering such risks as is generally maintained by companies of established repute engaged in the same or similar business, and all such insurance is in full force and effect except for failures to have such insurance in full force and effect or to carry and be entitled to benefits of insurance which would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Officer’s Certificates. Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries delivered to the Representatives or to counsel for the Underwriters shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to each Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby.

(a) Securities. On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to sell to each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, and each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase from the Company, at the price set forth in Schedule B, the aggregate principal amount of Securities set forth in Schedule A opposite the name of such Underwriter, plus any additional principal amount of Securities which such Underwriter may become obligated to purchase pursuant to the provisions of Section 10 hereof.

(b) Payment. Payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of certificates for, the Securities shall be made at the office of Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, 80 Pine Street, New York, New York 10005, or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Company, at 9:00 A.M. (eastern time) on the third business day after the date

hereof (unless postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10), or such other time not later than ten business days after such date as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Company (such time and date of payment and delivery being herein called the “Closing Time”). Payment shall be made to the Company by wire transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account designated by the Company, against delivery to the Representatives for the respective accounts of the Underwriters of certificates for the Securities. It is understood that each Underwriter has authorized the Representatives, for its account, to accept delivery of, receipt for, and make payment of the purchase price for, the Securities which it has agreed to purchase. Citigroup, individually and not as representative of the Underwriters, may (but shall not be obligated to) make payment of the purchase price for the Securities to be purchased by any Underwriter whose funds have not been received by the Closing Time, but such payment shall not relieve such Underwriter from its obligations hereunder.

(c) Denominations; Registration. Certificates for the Securities shall be in such denominations ($100,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) and registered in such names as the Representatives may request in writing at least one full business day before the Closing Time. The certificates representing the Securities shall be made available for examination and packaging by the Underwriters in The City of New York not later than 10:00 A.M. on the last business day prior to the Closing Time.

SECTION 3. Covenants of the Company. The Company covenants with each Underwriter as follows:

(a) Compliance with Securities Regulations and Commission Requests. The Company, subject to Section 3(b), will comply with the requirements of Rule 430A and will promptly notify the Representatives (i) when any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement shall become effective, or any supplement to the Prospectus or any amended Prospectus shall have been filed, (ii) of the receipt of any comments from the Commission, (iii) of any request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or any document incorporated by reference therein or for additional information, and (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus, or of the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or of the initiation or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatening of any proceedings for any of such purposes. The Company will promptly effect the filings necessary pursuant to Rule 424(b) and will take such steps as it deems necessary to ascertain promptly whether the form of prospectus transmitted for filing under Rule 424(b) was received for filing by the Commission and, in the event that it was not, it will promptly file such prospectus. The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order and, if any stop order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof.

(b) Filing of Amendments. The Company will give the Representatives notice of its intention to file or prepare any amendment to the Registration Statement (including any filing under Rule 462(b)) or any amendment, supplement or revision to either the prospectus included in the Registration Statement at the time it became effective or to the Prospectus, whether pursuant to the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or otherwise, will furnish the Representatives with copies of any such documents a reasonable amount of time prior to such proposed filing or use, as the

case may be, and will not file or use any such document to which the Representative(s) or counsel for the Underwriters shall reasonably object.

(c) Delivery of Registration Statements. The Company has furnished or will deliver to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters, without charge, signed copies of the Registration Statement as originally filed and of each amendment thereto (including exhibits filed therewith or incorporated by reference therein and documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein) and signed copies of all consents and certificates of experts, and will also deliver to the Representatives, without charge, a conformed copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed and of each amendment thereto (without exhibits) for each of the Underwriters. The copies of the Registration Statement and each amendment thereto furnished to the Underwriters will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

(d) Delivery of Prospectuses. The Company has delivered to each Underwriter, without charge, as many copies of each preliminary prospectus as such Underwriter reasonably requested, and the Company hereby consents to the use of such copies for purposes permitted by the 1933 Act. The Company will furnish to each Underwriter, without charge, during the period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered under the 1933 Act, such number of copies of the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) as such Underwriter may reasonably request.

(e) Rule 158. As soon as practicable, the Company will make generally available to its securityholders an earnings statement or statements of the Company and its subsidiaries which will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the 1933 Act.

(f) Notice and Effect of Material Events. The Company will notify each Underwriter, and confirm such notice in writing, of (x) any filing made by the Company of information relating to the offering of the Securities with any securities exchange or any other regulatory body in the United States or any other jurisdiction, and (y) prior to the completion of the placement of the Securities by the Underwriters as evidenced by a notice in writing from the Underwriters to the Company, any material changes in or affecting the condition, financial or otherwise, or the earnings or business affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise which (i) make any statement in the Prospectus false or misleading or (ii) are not disclosed in the Prospectus. In such event or if during such time any event shall occur as a result of which it is necessary, in the reasonable opinion of any of the Company, its counsel, the Underwriters or counsel for the Underwriters, to amend or supplement the Prospectus in order that the Prospectus not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing, the Company will forthwith amend or supplement the Prospectus by preparing and furnishing to each Underwriter an amendment or amendments of, or a supplement or supplements to, the Prospectus (in form and substance satisfactory in the reasonable opinion of counsel for the Underwriters) so that, as so amended or supplemented, the Prospectus will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing at the time it is delivered to a Subsequent Purchaser, not misleading.

(g) Rating of Securities. The Company shall take all reasonable action necessary to enable Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of McGraw Hill, Inc. (“S&P”), and Moody’s Investors Service Inc. (“Moody’s”) to provide their respective credit ratings of the Securities.

(h) DTC. The Company will cooperate with the Representatives and use its reasonable best efforts to permit the Securities to be eligible for clearance and settlement through the facilities of DTC.

(i) Use of Proceeds. The Company will use the net proceeds received by it from the sale of the Securities in the manner specified in the Prospectus under “Use of Proceeds.”

(a) Expenses. The Company will pay all expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including (i) the preparation, copying and filing of the Registration Statement (including financial statements and any schedules or exhibits and any document incorporated therein by reference) and of each amendment or supplement thereto, (ii) the preparation, printing and delivery to the Underwriters of this Agreement, any Agreement among Underwriters, the Indenture and such other documents as may be required in connection with the offering, purchase, sale, issuance or delivery of the Securities, (iii) the preparation, issuance and delivery of the certificates for the Securities to the Underwriters, including any transfer taxes, any stamp or other duties payable upon the sale, issuance and delivery of the Securities to the Underwriters and any charges of DTC in connection therewith, (iv) the fees and disbursements of the Company’s counsel, accountants and other advisors, (v) the qualification of the Securities under securities laws in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(f) hereof, including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection therewith and in connection with the preparation of the Blue Sky survey, and any supplement thereto, (vi) the reasonable fees and expenses of the Trustee, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Trustee in connection with the Indenture and the Securities, (vii) the preparation, printing and delivery to the Underwriters of copies of each preliminary prospectus and of the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto, and (viii) any fees payable in connection with the rating of the Securities; provided, however, that, except as provided in Sections 4(b), 6 and 7 hereof, the Underwriters will pay all of their own costs and expenses, including the fees and expenses of their counsel, transfer taxes on any resale of the Securities by them and any advertising expenses in connection with any offers they make.

(b) Termination of Agreement. If this Agreement is terminated by the Representatives in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 or Section 9(a)(i) hereof or by the Company in accordance with the provisions of Section 9(b) hereof, the Company shall reimburse the Underwriters for all of their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters.

SECTION 5. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations. The obligations of the several Underwriters hereunder are subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company contained in Section 1 hereof and in certificates of any officer of the Company

or any of its subsidiaries delivered pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company of its covenants and other obligations hereunder, and to the following further conditions:

(a) Effectiveness of Registration Statement. The Registration Statement has become effective and at Closing Time no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued under the 1933 Act or proceedings therefor initiated or threatened by the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of counsel to the Underwriters. A prospectus containing the Rule 430A Information shall have been filed with the Commission in accordance with Rule 424(b) (or a post-effective amendment providing such information shall have been filed and declared effective in accordance with the requirements of Rule 430A).

(b) Opinion of Counsel for Company. At the Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received the favorable opinion or opinions and letter, dated as of the Closing Time, of Dewey Ballantine LLP, counsel for the Company, and Donald P. Fay, General Counsel for the Company, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters substantially to the effect set forth in Exhibits A-1 and A-2 hereto and to such further effect as counsel to the Underwriters may reasonably request.

(c) Opinion of Counsel for Underwriters. At the Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received the favorable opinion or opinions and letter, dated as of the Closing Time, of Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters with respect to the matters set forth in (vi), (vii), (viii), (xiii) and the last paragraph of Exhibit A-1 hereto. In giving such opinion such counsel may rely, as to all matters governed by the laws of jurisdictions other than the law of the State of New York and the federal law of the United States and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, upon the opinions of counsel satisfactory to the Representatives. Such counsel may also state that, insofar as such opinion involves factual matters, they have relied, to the extent they deem proper, upon certificates of officers of the Company and its subsidiaries and certificates of public officials.

(d) Officers’ Certificate. At the Closing Time, there shall not have been, since the date hereof or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Prospectus, any material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings or business affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, and the Representatives shall have received a certificate of the President or a Vice President of the Company and of the chief financial or chief accounting officer of the Company, dated as of the Closing Time, to the effect that (i) there has been no such material adverse change, (ii) the representations and warranties in Section 1 hereof are true and correct with the same force and effect as though expressly made at and as of the Closing Time, and (iii) the Company has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing Time.

(e) Accountants’ Comfort Letter. At the time of the execution of this Agreement, the Representatives shall have received from Ernst & Young LLP a letter dated such date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to Underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

(f) Bring-down Comfort Letter. At the Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received from Ernst & Young LLP a letter, dated as of the Closing Time, to the effect that they reaffirm the statements made in the letter furnished pursuant to subsection (e) of this Section, except that the specified date referred to shall be a date not more than three business days prior to the Closing Time.

(g) Rating. At the Closing Time, the Securities shall be rated at least “B3” by Moody’s and “B” by S&P, and the Company shall have delivered to the Representatives a letter dated the Closing Time, from each such rating agency, or other evidence satisfactory to the Representatives, confirming that the Securities have such ratings; and since the date of this Agreement, there shall not have occurred a downgrading in the rating assigned to the Securities or any of the Company’s other debt securities by any “nationally recognized statistical rating agency”, as that term is defined by the Commission for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the 1933 Act, and no such securities rating agency shall have publicly announced that it has under surveillance or review, with possible negative implications, its rating of the Securities or any of the Company’s other debt securities.

(h) Additional Documents. At the Closing Time, counsel for the Underwriters shall have been furnished with such documents and opinions as they may reasonably require for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations or warranties, or the fulfillment of any of the conditions, herein contained; and all proceedings taken by the Company in connection with the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters.

(i) Termination of Agreement. If any condition specified in this Section 5 shall not have been fulfilled when and as required to be fulfilled, this Agreement may be terminated by the Representatives by notice to the Company at any time at or prior to the Closing Time, and such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 4 and except that Sections 1, 6, 7, 11 and 14 shall survive any such termination and remain in full force and effect.

(a) Indemnification of Underwriters. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act as follows:

(i) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

(ii) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission; provided that (subject to Section 6(d) below) any such settlement is effected with the prior written consent of the Company; and

(iii) against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred (including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by Citigroup), reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such expense is not paid under (i) or (ii) above;

provided, however, that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement or any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto).

(b) Indemnification of Company. Each Underwriter severally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each officer or director of the Company, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the indemnity contained in subsection (a) of this Section, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Registration Statement or any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement or such preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto).

(c) Actions Against Parties; Notification. Each indemnified party shall give notice as promptly as reasonably practicable to each indemnifying party of any action commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure to so notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability hereunder to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a result thereof and in any event shall not relieve it

from any liability which it may have otherwise than on account of this indemnity agreement. In the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(a) above, counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected by Citigroup, and, in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(b) above, counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected by the Company. An indemnifying party may participate at its own expense in the defense of any such action and, to the extent that the indemnifying party may wish, assume the defense of any such action, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party, and after notice from the indemnifying party to the indemnified party of its election to assume the defense of such action, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 6 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the defense of such action other than reasonable costs of investigation; provided, however, that counsel to the indemnifying party shall not (except with the consent of the indemnified party) also be counsel to the indemnified party. In no event shall the indemnifying parties be liable for fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) separate from their own counsel for all indemnified parties in connection with any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought under this Section 6 or Section 7 hereof (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party. No indemnified party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnifying party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought under this Section 6 or Section 7 hereof.

(d) Settlement Without Consent if Failure to Reimburse. If at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel in accordance with Section 6(a)(iii), such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of the nature contemplated by Section 6(a)(ii) effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 60 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request, (ii) such indemnifying party shall have received notice of the terms of such settlement at least 45 days prior to such settlement being entered into and (iii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed such indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement.

SECTION 7. Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in Section 6 hereof is for any reason unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by such indemnified party, as incurred, (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the

Underwriters on the other hand from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.

The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the total underwriting discount received by the Underwriters, bear to the aggregate initial offering price of the Securities.

The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or by the Underwriters and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this Section 7. The aggregate amount of losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by an indemnified party and referred to above in this Section 7 shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Securities purchased and sold by it hereunder exceeds the amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

For purposes of this Section 7, each person, if any, who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and each officer and director of the Company and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company.

The Underwriters’ respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 7 are several in proportion to the principal amount of Securities set forth opposite their respective names in Schedule A hereto and not joint.

SECTION 8. Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive Delivery. All representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Agreement or in certificates of officers of the Company or any of its subsidiaries submitted pursuant hereto shall remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or controlling person, or by or on behalf of the Company, and shall survive delivery of the Securities to the Underwriters.

(a) Termination; General. The Representatives may terminate this Agreement, by notice to the Company, at any time at or prior to Closing Time (i) if there has been, since the time of execution of this Agreement or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto), any material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings or business affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, or (ii) if there has occurred any material adverse change in the financial markets in the United States or in the international financial markets, any outbreak of hostilities or escalation thereof or other calamity or crisis or any change or development involving a prospective change in national or international political, financial or economic conditions, in each case the effect of which is such as to make it, in the judgment of the Representatives, impracticable or inadvisable to market the Securities or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Securities, or (iii) if trading in any securities of the Company has been suspended or materially limited by the Commission or the New York Stock Exchange, or if trading generally on the American Stock Exchange or the New York Stock Exchange or in the Nasdaq National Market has been suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices have been required, by any of said exchanges or by such system or by order of the Commission, the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or any other governmental authority, or a material disruption has occurred in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States, or (iv) if a banking moratorium has been declared by either Federal or New York authorities.

(b) Termination; Tender Offer. It is understood that the obligation of the Company to sell the Securities being sold by them hereunder is subject to the condition that the Company accept 8 3/4% Senior Notes due 2009 for purchase in the tender offer that the Company commenced on April 20, 2004. If the Company does not accept 8 3/4% Senior Notes for purchase in such tender offer, this Agreement may be terminated by the Company upon notice to the Underwriters at or prior to the Closing Time.

(c) Liabilities. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section 9, such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 4 hereof, and provided further that Sections 1, 6, 7 and 13 shall survive such termination and remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 10. Default by One or More of the Underwriters. If one or more of the Underwriters shall fail at the Closing Time to purchase the Securities which it or they are obligated to purchase under this Agreement (the “Defaulted Securities”), the Representatives shall have the right, within 24 hours thereafter, to make arrangements for one or more of the non-defaulting Underwriters, or any other underwriters, to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Defaulted Securities in such amounts as may be agreed upon and upon the terms herein set forth; if, however, the Representatives shall not have completed such arrangements within such 24-hour period, then the Company shall have 24 hours to procure another purchaser of Defaulted Securities satisfactory to the Representatives. If after arrangements by the Representatives or the Company for the purchase of Defaulted Securities:

(a) the number of Defaulted Securities does not exceed 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities to be purchased hereunder, each of the non-defaulting Underwriters shall be obligated, severally and not jointly, to purchase the full amount thereof in the proportions that their respective underwriting obligations hereunder bear to the underwriting obligations of all non-defaulting Underwriters, or

(b) the number of Defaulted Securities exceeds 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities to be purchased hereunder, this Agreement shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter.

No action taken pursuant to this Section 10 shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of its default.

In the event of any such default which does not result in a termination of this Agreement, either the Representatives or the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Time for a period not exceeding seven days in order to effect any required changes in the Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements. As used herein, the term “Underwriter” includes any person substituted for an Underwriter under this Section 10.

SECTION 11. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or transmitted by any standard form of telecommunication. Notices to the Underwriters shall be directed to the Representatives at Citigroup Capital Markets Inc., 388 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10013, attention of General Counsel; Credit Suisse First Boston LLC, Eleven Madison Avenue, 20^th Floor, New York, New York 10010, attention of George Fan; Goldman, Sachs & Co., 85 Broad Street, New York, New York 10004, attention of Registration Department; Banc of America Securities LLC, 9 West 57th Street, New York, New York 10019, attention of Eric Hambleton, Esq.; and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, 4 World Financial Center, New York, New York 10080, attention of Freya Hone, Esq., with a copy to Noah B. Newitz at Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, 80 Pine Street, New York, New York 10005; notices to the Company shall be directed to it at 5800 Tennyson Parkway, Plano, Texas 75024, attention of General Counsel with a copy to Morton A. Pierce and Michelle B. Rutta at Dewey Ballantine LLP, 1301 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10019.

SECTION 12. Parties. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Underwriters and the Company and their respective successors. Nothing expressed

or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, firm or corporation, other than the Underwriters and the Company and their respective successors and the controlling persons and officers and directors referred to in Sections 6 and 7 and their heirs and legal representatives, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision herein contained. This Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof are intended to be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Underwriters and the Company and their respective successors, and said controlling persons and officers and directors and their heirs and legal representatives, and for the benefit of no other person, firm or corporation. No purchaser of Securities from any Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor by reason merely of such purchase.

SECTION 13. Tax Treatment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any confidentiality obligations of the Company and Underwriters that relate to the transactions contemplated by this and any other related agreements (the “Transaction”) shall not apply to the U.S. federal tax treatment or U.S. federal tax structure of the Transaction and each party hereto (and any employee, representative, or agent of any party) may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the U.S. federal tax treatment and U.S. federal tax structure of the Transaction and all other materials of any kind (including opinions or other U.S. federal tax analysis) that are provided to any party hereto relating to such U.S. federal tax treatment and U.S. federal tax structure. However, any such information relating to such U.S. federal tax treatment and U.S. federal tax structure is required to be kept confidential to the extent necessary to comply with any applicable securities laws. The preceding sentences are intended to cause the Transaction not to be treated as having been offered under conditions of confidentiality for purposes of Sections 1.6011-4(b)(3) and 301.6111-2(a)(2)(ii) (or any successor provisions) of the Treasury Regulations issued under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and shall be construed in a manner consistent with such purpose.

SECTION 14. GOVERNING LAW AND TIME. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE SET FORTH HEREIN, SPECIFIED TIMES OF DAY REFER TO NEW YORK CITY TIME.

SECTION 15. Effect of Headings. The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

SECTION 16. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to the Company a counterpart hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts, will become a binding agreement among the Underwriters and the Company in accordance with its terms.


Very truly yours,

TRIAD HOSPITALS, INC.

By:		/s/ James R. Bedenbaugh

		Name: James R. Bedenbaugh
		Title: Senior Vice President and Treasurer

For themselves and as Representatives of the other Underwriters named in Schedule A hereto.

1. The initial public offering price of the Securities shall be 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest, if any, from the date of issuance.

2. The purchase price to be paid by the Underwriters for the Securities shall be 99.25% of the principal amount thereof.

4. Prior to May 15, 2008, the Company may redeem all or any portion of the Securities at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus the Applicable Premium described in the Prospectus, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. The Company may redeem the Securities, in whole or in part, at any time on or after May 15, 2008 at its option at the redemption prices set forth in the Prospectus under the heading “Description of the Notes—Redemption—Optional Redemption,” plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date.

5. On or before May 15, 2007, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the Securities with the net proceeds of certain equity offerings at 107% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest, if at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the originally issued Securities remain outstanding.

(i) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

(ii) The Company has corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under the Underwriting Agreement.

(iii) The Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(iv) The shares of issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable; and none of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company was issued in violation of the statutory preemptive rights of any stockholder of the Company.

(v) Each Designated Subsidiary that is a Delaware corporation has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, has corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect; except as otherwise disclosed in the Prospectus, to our knowledge, all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of each Designated Subsidiary that is a Delaware corporation has been duly authorized and validly issued, is fully paid and non-assessable and, to our knowledge, with respect to shares of such capital stock owned directly or indirectly by the Company, are owned by the Company, directly or through subsidiaries, free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equity other than those under the Company’s Senior Secured Credit Agreement (as defined in the Prospectus).

(vi) The Underwriting Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

(vii) The Indenture has been duly authorized by the Company and, when executed and delivered by the Company and the Trustee (assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by the Trustee), will constitute valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms.

(viii) The Securities have been duly authorized by the Company and, when executed by the Company and authenticated, issued and delivered in the manner provided in the Indenture (assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of the Indenture by the Trustee) against payment of the purchase price therefor as provided in the Underwriting Agreement, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

(ix) The Registration Statement has been declared effective under the 1933 Act; the Prospectus has been filed with the Commission in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b); and, to our knowledge, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued under the 1933 Act and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or threatened by the Commission.

(x) The Registration Statement and the Prospectus (excluding the documents incorporated by reference therein) and each amendment or supplement thereto, as of their respective effective or issue dates (other than the financial statements and the notes thereto, and the other financial data and statistical data derived from financial data therein and the exhibits thereto as to which we render no opinion) complied as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations.

(xi) The documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus (other than the financial statements and the notes thereto, and the other financial data and statistical data derived from financial data therein and the exhibits thereto as to which we render no opinion), when they were filed with the Commission appeared on their face to comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

(xii) The statements made in the Prospectus under the caption “Material Federal Income Tax Considerations,” insofar as they purport to constitute a summary of United States federal tax law and regulations or legal conclusions with respect thereto, constitute an accurate summary of the matters described therein in all material respects.

(xiii) The statements made in the Prospectus under the headings “Summary—The Offering” and “Description of the Notes,” insofar as they purport to constitute summaries of the terms of contracts and other documents, constitute accurate summaries of the terms of such contracts and other documents in all material respects.

(xiv) To our knowledge, no filing with, or authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration, qualification or decree of, any United States federal, New York or Delaware court or governmental authority or agency is necessary or required for the due

execution, delivery or performance by the Company of the Indenture for the offering, issuance or sale of the Securities to the Underwriters except (a) such as have already been obtained and are in full force and effect, (b) any filings under state securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the sale of the Securities, (c) as disclosed in the Prospectus and (d) for such authorizations, approvals, consents, licenses, orders, registrations, qualifications or decrees the failure so to obtain would not have a Material Adverse Effect and would not materially and adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement or the Indenture.

(xv) The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Underwriting Agreement, the Indenture and the Securities and the use of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities as described in the Prospectus under the caption “Use of Proceeds” and compliance by the Company with its obligations under the Underwriting Agreement, the Indenture and the Securities do not and will not result in any violation of any United States federal or New York State statute or the Delaware General Corporation Law or any rule or regulation issued pursuant to any New York or United States federal court or governmental agency or body (other than Blue Sky laws and regulations and laws and regulations relating to the NASD), except for violations that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xvi) The Company is not an “investment company” or an entity “controlled” by an “investment company,” as such terms are defined in the 1940 Act.

In addition, we have participated in the preparation of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and in conferences with officers and other representatives of the Company and representatives and counsel of the Underwriters at which the contents of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and related matters were discussed and, although we have not undertaken to determine independently, nor do we pass upon or assume any responsibility, explicitly or implicitly, for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, on the basis of and subject to the foregoing (and relying as to materiality upon information furnished and assessments made by officers and other representatives of the Company), no facts have come to our attention to lead us to believe that the Registration Statement, as of the date of the filing of the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or that the Prospectus, as of its date or as of the date of this opinion, contained or contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (in each case, except as to the financial statements and the notes thereto and the schedules and other financial data and statistical data derived from financial data included therein or omitted therefrom, as to which we express no view).

(i) To the knowledge of such counsel, except as disclosed in the Prospectus, there is no threatened or pending action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party, or to which the property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject, before or brought by any court or governmental agency or body applying Applicable Laws, which would result in a Material Adverse Effect, or which would materially and adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement or the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder or under the Securities.

(ii) To the knowledge of such counsel, neither the Company nor any of its Designated Subsidiaries is in violation of its charter or by-laws.

(iii) To the knowledge of such counsel, the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Underwriting Agreement, the Indenture and the Securities and the use of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities as described in the Prospectus under the caption “Use of Proceeds” and compliance by the Company with its obligations under the Underwriting Agreement, the Indenture and the Securities do not and will not, whether with or without the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default under, any material obligation, agreement, covenant, or condition contained in any contract, indenture, mortgage, loan agreement, note, lease or other agreement or instrument that is described or referred to in the Prospectus or incorporated by reference therein.

(iv) To the knowledge of such counsel, the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Underwriting Agreement, the Indenture and the Securities and the use of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities as described in the Prospectus under the caption “Use of Proceeds” and compliance by the Company with its obligations under the Underwriting Agreement, the Indenture and the Securities will not result in any violation of any Applicable Law of any Governmental Authority, except for such violations that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

In rendering such opinions, such counsel may rely, to the extent such counsel deems necessary, as to factual matters upon certificates or written statements from officers or other appropriate representatives of the Company and its subsidiaries and upon certificates of public officials. Such opinions will be limited to the laws of the State of Texas (and, solely for purposes of the opinion expressed in paragraph (ii), the Delaware General Corporation Law), excluding all laws and regulations governing Medicare or any state Medicaid program, “fraud and abuse” laws and regulations and laws and regulations regarding illegal remuneration, payments for referrals, false claims or physician referrals to entities with which a physician has a financial or other relationship, or laws and regulations requiring disclosure of financial interests held by physicians in entities to which they may refer patients for the provision of health care related goods and services (collectively, “Applicable Laws”). For the purpose of such opinions, “Governmental Authority” shall mean any Texas executive, judicial, administrative or regulatory body applying Applicable Law having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries.


SCHEDULES

Schedule A - List of Underwriters		Sch A-1
Schedule B - Pricing Information		Sch B-1
Schedule C - List of Subsidiaries		Sch C-1

EXHIBITS

Exhibit A-1 - Form of Opinion of Company’s Counsel		A-1-1
Exhibit A-2 - Form of Opinion of General Counsel		A-2-1


By: Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

By:		/s/ Richard Landgarten

		Name: Richard Landgarten
		Title: Managing Director, U.S. Co-Head Healthcare Investment Banking


By: Credit Suisse First Boston LLC

By:		/s/ Stuart Smith

		Name: Stuart Smith
		Title: Managing Director


By: Goldman, Sachs & Co.

By:		/s/ Goldman, Sachs & Co.

		(Goldman, Sachs & Co.)


By:Banc of America Securities LLC

By:		/s/ Robert L. Parker

		Name: Robert L. Parker
		Title: Managing Director


		Page
SECTION 1.	Representations and Warranties by the Company	2

(a) Representations and Warranties		2
(i)	Compliance with Registration Requirements	2
(ii)	Incorporated Documents	3
(iii)	Independent Accountants	3
(iv)	Financial Statements	3
(v)	No Material Adverse Change in Business	4
(vi)	Good Standing of the Company	4
(vii)	Good Standing of Designated Subsidiaries	4
(viii)	Capitalization	5
(ix)	Authorization of Agreement	5
(x)	Authorization of the Indenture	5
(xi)	Authorization of the Securities	5
(xii)	Description of the Securities and the Indenture	5
(xiii)	Absence of Defaults and Conflicts	5
(xiv)	Absence of Labor Dispute	6
(xv)	Absence of Proceedings	6
(xvii)	Absence of Manipulation	6
(xviii)	Absence of Further Requirements	7
(xix)	Possession of Licenses and Permits	7
(xx)	Title to Property	7
(xxi)	Environmental Laws	8
(xxii)	Investment Company Act	8
(xxiv)	Regulations T, U and X	8
(xxv)	Medicare and Medicaid	8
(xxvi)	Internal Accounting Controls	9
(xxvii)	Insurance	9
(b) Officer’s Certificates		9

SECTION 2.	Sale and Delivery to Underwriters; Closing	9

(a) Securities		9
(b) Payment		9
(c) Denominations; Registration		10

SECTION 3.	Covenants of the Company	10

(a) Compliance with Securities Regulations and Commission Requests		10
(b) Filing of Amendments		10
(c) Delivery of Registration Statements		11
(d) Delivery of Prospectuses		11


(e) Rule 158		11
(f) Notice and Effect of Material Events		11
(g) Rating of Securities		12
(h) DTC		12
(i) Use of Proceeds		12

SECTION 4.	Payment of Expenses	12

(a) Expenses.		12
(b) Termination of Agreement		12

SECTION 5.	Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations	12

(a) Effectiveness of Registration Statement		13
(b) Opinion of Counsel for Company		13
(c) Opinion of Counsel for Underwriters		13
(d) Officers’ Certificate		13
(e) Accountants’ Comfort Letter		14
(f) Bring-down Comfort Letter		14
(g) Rating		14
(h) Additional Documents		14
(i) Termination of Agreement		14

SECTION 6.	Indemnification	14

(a) Indemnification of Underwriters		14
(b) Indemnification of Company		15
(c) Actions Against Parties; Notification		15
(d) Settlement Without Consent if Failure to Reimburse		16

SECTION 7.	Contribution	16

SECTION 8.	Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive Delivery	18

SECTION 9.	Termination of Agreement	18

(a) Termination; General		18
(b) Termination; Tender Offer		18
(c) Liabilities		18

SECTION 10.	Default by One or More of the Underwriters	19

SECTION 11.	Notices	19

SECTION 12.	Parties	19


SECTION 13.	Tax Treatment	20

SECTION 14.	GOVERNING LAW AND TIME	20

SECTION 15.	Effect of Headings	20

SECTION 16.	Counterparts	20


By:Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

By:		/s/ M. Toby King

		Name: M. Toby King
		Title: Vice President


Name of Underwriter	Principal Amount of Securities
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.	$	60,000,000
Credit Suisse First Boston LLC	$	60,000,000
Goldman, Sachs & Co.	$	60,000,000
Banc of America Securities LLC	$	60,000,000
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated	$	60,000,000
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.	$	50,000,000
Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC	$	50,000,000
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated	$	35,000,000
Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.	$	35,000,000
SunTrust Capital Markets, Inc.	$	35,000,000
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.	$	30,000,000
Lehman Brothers Inc.	$	30,000,000
Credit Lyonnais Securities (USA) Inc.	$	20,000,000
BOSC, Inc.	$	15,000,000

Total	$	600,000,000