EXHIBIT 10-A



                    SECOND AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS SECOND AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "AMENDMENT"), dated
and effective as of September 25, 2001, is entered into by and between Avatex
Corporation (the "COMPANY"), and John G. Murray ("EMPLOYEE").

         The Company and Employee hereby agree that this Amendment amends the
Employment Agreement dated and effective as of February 1, 1998, as amended by
the First Amendment thereto dated as of September 1, 1999, by and between the
Company and Employee (the "AGREEMENT"), as follows:

         1.   Section 1 of the Agreement is hereby amended by changing the date
specified therein to January 31, 2004.

         2.   Except as expressly provided in this Amendment, all other terms
and conditions of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment effective
on the date and year first above written.


AVATEX CORPORATION
                                                        ------------------------
                                                        John G. Murray


By:
    ---------------------------
    Melvyn J. Estrin
    Co-Chief Executive Officer